Saturday 12th - A very productive day

 A very satisfying day with good progress made on all vehicles undergoing work.

Starting off with the Mica today, more planks went on the end. This was a real challenge as there's a bit of a bulge this end that we couldn't really do anything about, so the planks had to be bent round it!

By the end of the day though the South end was done, well done guys! The rest should be easy compared to this...

Although Robert looked a bit puffed in the previous photo, he also sorted out some more of the heavy timber battens to screw the side planks onto on the Cotswold side. Hopefully we can start to get some planks on this side too soon.

And with John back on handrail bending it won't be long before these can go on too. Today he was doing the kink that takes the rails over the vent, with Stuart providing the heat. Just the big loops at the top and a corner at the bottom to put in now.

4790 is approaching completion, it's being evicted next Saturday, hopefully we'll have it finished by then. Phil went along the Malvern side to give the window frames a coat of varnish.

While Jeff went round with the little brushes with various bits that needed a bit more paint, here a droplight bar that had been missed.

Some visual progress on the RBr, hurrah! Laura and Helen get to grips with curtains for the saloon, these will make a real difference.

Phil was a bit further ahead putting the curtain rails in.

Pam did a bit more top-coating in the electrical cupboard.

Phil and Chris were also looking at the radiators in the corridor again

With some more wooden supports being made by Chris,

Into the barn then and the FK which has found its way onto the jack road. James put some red oxide on the door hinges after doing some work on this door.

Ben was working on some bits for a door liner...

Does it fit? Maybe...

Meanwhile Alan was on capping strips, welding one up on the workbench

Before fitting to the coach.

With 2 weeks to go before the Autumn Showcase, the third rake was properly put together by the dirty gang.

In other train watching news 3850 was back out and about, now with steam heating capability, definitely necessary today.

Back inside, and 4798 saw a lot of activity today, as the corridor connection was coming off on the South end, which we suspected to be quite rusty. Ken undoes all the bits that need undoing.

Blink (or do some signwriting in the paintshop) and you miss it! Now hanging on the gantry.

James and Andy remove the support timbers, these are actually in quite good condition, we may even be able to reuse them. The corners of this end both sides are definitely very rusty though.

Ignoring all the heavy action, at the other end Simon was getting on well with reinstating the internal woodwork, it won't be long before this first quarter is done.

Lastly for today, outside Dave and Richard were tending a little to the new FO, to stop the rust getting any worse. The paint has flaked quite badly along the waistline and this was a particular trap point for water. So Dave sanded it all back

And Richard followed along behind with the green primer.