Tuesday 25th - And now very hot!

With temperatures up to 28C it was a somewhat soporific day in the Works, but it was business as usual despite the heat.

*************

Returning briefly to the moquette enquiry last week, some very helpful information was received from Tim Robbins, Director of Torrington Heritage Transport Fabrics Ltd, from whom we buy our moquette.

I had stated: "Yes, there were moquettes for different classes, but I wouldn't have thought ones specific to compartments or open coaches. Does anyone know?"

Tim replied: " I was interested to see the exchange between "Tim J" and Dave Clark about moquettes in Fridays blog. The answer to Dave's question is yes - moquettes were designated for specific purposes. "Snapdragon" was also produced with a blue background, and both were used by the GWR for 3rd class compartments, one for smoking and the other for non-smoking. Similarly, "Trojan" was originally used in 2nd class saloons, with "Candy Stripe" in 2nd class compartments (red in smoking, and green in non smoking). More details are available on the Catalogue pages of our website www.heritagerailfabric.co.uk"

Thank you Tim for your very interesting information. BCK 21092 in Rake 3 has the lovely blue Horsechestnut Leaf moquette in the two First Class compartments, with the Second Class compartments in Bournemouth Blue, but that was simply because the First Class seating needed re-covering and we loved the recently acquired Horsechestnut Leaf.

************** 

Now on to today's activities.

Bob and Pete Webb, our regular flooring contractors, arrived today to prepare RBr 1675 for laying marmoleum in the saloon and corridor. Bob initially primes the floor.

The primer soon dried as it was already very warm and Pete was able to lay the screed.

The final job was to lay the levelling compound along the metal cross members where the screed had sunk. The result was a perfectly flat surface ready for laying the marmoleum.

With the servery available Pam was the only one able to work in 1675. All the undercoating had been completed, so she was able to begin top coating with the Executive Light Grey.

We could still work on the outside, so Roger top coated the first of the Malvern side windows and made a start on the second.

Prior to Bob and Pete starting, I removed the door to the electrics cupboard to allow better access. This required only a light sanding as it's existing paint had been the Exec Lt Grey and so Keith was able to go straight to top coating.

As usual the paint trestles had a number of jobs available. Keith began applying a second top coat to the seat planks for Hayles Halt.

Another seat requiring new planks is at Broadway. Chris uses an excellent tool for producing a round edge. 

The new planks completed, but who is going to paint them? Presumably the Broadway group. As we are Carriage & Wagon we don't stock the Light and Dark Stone used for the GW themed stations.

Bob takes a break and joins Alex, Keith, Dave and myself to watch 2807 pass with the Broadway train. 7903 has already left with the Cheltenham train.

The station board destined for Cheltenham Racecourse Station and time to add the next part. Alex, having rubbed French Chalk on the back of the secured template, now carefully traces the lettering.

With the template removed the chalk outlines for each letter remain and are now ready for painting.

Later in the day Alex has moved on to paint the separate departure times board. The top of his morning's painting can just be seen above the board.

Ian had emailed me to say there were 5 very large boxes and a small package to collect from Churchward House, which had been delivered the day before, and a trolley would be needed. No kidding! Bob kindly helped and we managed to get these back to the Works without them falling off. They were very light, so presumably had precut foam or something like that for Upholstery.

Ainsley had a successful day changing the hinge pins on the coaches in Rake 3. He carefully re-taps and cleans the pins he has brought back.

On now to the MICA van and more good progress. Alex removes the old bolts from the north end. No surprise that they take a bit of persuasion and tend to come free somewhat rusted and incomplete.

Robert meanwhile is preparing new corner supports .............

......... and trial fits the latest one.

For Paul and Maurice it was back to underframe and headstock painting, applying Dark Grey undercoat.

Inevitably you end up flat out on the floor and extra lighting is definitely needed.

More top coat White for the current set of planks on the trestles. Alex did a quick count of all the planks required to clad the van - I can't remember what he said, but the quantity was considerable!

Bob undercoats part of the roof of SO 4798.

More good progress with the clean up and repainting in the luggage compartment and adjacent corridor in BCK 21272. While Dave undercoats more of the large grill, I applied more sealant along the ceiling beading where required and completed the general cleaning of the grill and corridor paintwork.

Looking out of 21272's corridor connection and capturing the last train crossover of the day with the Class 20 and 2807.