Saturday 19th - Several milestones

 A very good day with a number of milestones reached.

First of all, SO 4790 emerged into the sunlight after its repaint, 3 months to the day since it first entered. A very satisfying result, a much improved coach can now go back into service, allowing us to bring the BCK in the same livery into use too, and take another coach out of service that has seen better days.

With everything having to come out we stood back and watched as the in progress Mica passed the newly grit-blasted Open C frame.

As this was the only static thing for the morning, plenty of people got involved. Clive went round with a hammer and cold chisel to get rid of the few remaining stubborn bits of scale that the grit-blaster didn't touch.

James and Alan did a great job removing all the old rivets from the removed curbrail. For simplicity when we fit the new curbrail we'll use dome-headed bolts, so it'll still look the part.

After grit-blasting it's always important to check the axleboxes to remove any grit, Maurice did the honours. Less critical in this case though as one wheelset needs its journals turning anyway as they are badly pitted.

While everything was out the usual big sweep up took place, Dave and at the far end Martin with the brooms.

Also undisturbed by the shunting was the woodwork shop. John was turning some thingies that go on the ends of coaches. I've quite forgotten what they're called! Anyway, John demo'd...

Then let Chris have a go.

The end result, a box of, err, thingies, to paint ready to fit.

Also undisturbed by outside activity was Robert, carrying on with window frame trim for 4798.

And of course upholstery, where Helen and Laura were going into production for RBr curtains.

If the shed is being shunted, best to sit back and watch the trains, 3850 comes past with a full train from Broadway. Still good numbers on the train.

Who'd think we'd see Phil back on the shunter again! Not actually driving, Stuart was on the other side, but just acting as an extra pair of eyes.

Soon enough everything got put back, and work could recommence. Alan and James jumped straight back onto 4798, attacking the South end with vigour to see what metal was left. Answer - not a lot!

Ben and Ainsley were back looking at the new door they'd hung on the Malvern side.

And inside at the other end it was good to see Alan back with Simon and Tom finishing off the woodwork on the first quarter. In theory the seats could go back in this section very soon, although we won't until much nearer final completion.

After the shunting was over Andy got on with painting the next vacuum cylinders in MIO.

Stuart did another brake test on TSO 4772, much better after the work during the week.

With the Mica back in the paintshop, more planks were going on, it's really starting to come together now.

Late in the day John and James got back to handrail bending, doing the tight bend at the bottom into the mounting plate. Just the top loops to go now I think.

Finally, the last milestone for this blog post, people have been asking me for ages when the tool vans and tank wagons were going to be moved into position at Toddington. Well it's done now! And a definite improvement to what came before.

With Dinmore Manor passing by, there's very little 'out of place' in this photo now, especially with the Cotswold halt now repainted. Just that red plastic barrier, damn, we'll have to remove that!