Saturday 17th - Quick metalwork

A fairly scattered day for me, with a bit of coach work, a bit of wagon work, showing a new volunteer round, several matters discussing with various people and an afternoon and evening guard's turn to contend with, so I'm afraid I didn't get round everyone.

It was hard to miss James and Alan though, both cracking on with their respective corners at the North end of 4790, with much grinding and welding throughout the morning.

As it was a bit busy, and I was a bit busy, for further painting, I flatted back the undercoat on the lower panels completed so far with the rotary sander. We have a high standard to match with the new BCK, I'm determined to at least try!

Back to the metalwork, James cutting a new patch out, using the old as a template.

Alan's corner all done, bar the guttering. James' corner was in a similar state by the time I left too. Quick repaint, quick metalwork, same thing right?

It must have gone well, as James tested out his 'inspection saloon' in the afternoon. Motive power provided by Phil...

Stuart had been busy on Friday, getting both vac cylinders and DA valves off 25451 extracted from the second rake on Thursday for overhaul.

There were a few stubborn bolts left on the coach itself though, which Andy managed to persuade out, captured by Paul. Having fun there Andy!?

Then it was a vac test to test just the train pipe. Unfortunately it dropped rather quicker than hoped, bother. Finding a leak in the train pipe can be tricky.

Just David on the FK today who continued the efforts on the capping strips, measuring up for the next section.

Dave captured Pam with her upholstery hat on, continuing with the guard's seat for the BCK.

By this time I was sat in a different guard's chair, maybe a winter refresh? Looking a bit sad.

Later on it was back to painting, masking up in the servery of the RBr for more paint.

I missed all the fun here so Paul grabbed these pictures, John's project of bending up new handrails for the Mica was in full flow, after the morning making further adjustments to the peg board, the gas bottles came out, Stuart and James advising.

The 20mm steel bar has to be heated cherry red to get it to bend nicely. How did it turn out? We'll all find out next week!