Thurs 24th/Fri 25th - Gala time again

Well, it has certainly been an interesting week! This post includes the activities in the Paintshop when 2807 was brought it for its repaint into black.

Thursday

It certainly was a busy time for me with all the prep needed with the third and final gala for the year almost upon us. Many thanks to Gerry for all the extra photos and to Roger who helped me retrieve the gala stuff that we had stored outside in our vans.

[Photo : Gerry] With lot of the top coating completed in 1675's saloon, I was very keen to remove all the masking tape, some of which had been on a long time (thankfully the yellow Tesa tape is very forgiving). Just the door left to top coat and a small area of ceiling just above.

Photo : Gerry]  A very cheery Richard I working in 1675's kitchen.

[Photo : Gerry]  Meanwhile Richard II was removing the covers for the lithium battery boxes. Richard estimates that they have about a month's work left to do on the electrical side.

Alan and Geoff check the back of the Malvern side passenger door, tightening it up as required.

[Photo : Gerry]  Rex assists Richard II with the metal press. I dont know what this was for.

[Photo : Gerry]  Phil working hard at his bench.

Now I do know what Maurice was doing. It's actually a bit early to mount the lower planks on the sides, but at least they have been neatly fitted and can be easily removed when the metal handrails need to be fitted on the ends.

[Photo : Gerry]  I hold the plank firmly in place while Maurice carefully drills the holes.

[Photo : Gerry]  Later on Maurice cleans up one of the steps from the van.

[Photo : Gerry]  In the Barn Ainsley is working on one of FK 13326's doors. 

[Photo : Gerry]  Roger, with his PASMA hat on, does the weekly check of the scaffold towers. There are three of us qualified to do this.

Gala preparation was now well underway. Richard II sets up the light display which shows the power usage difference between old style light bulbs and LEDs. The intensity between the two types is very different and particularly noticeable when the power is reduced.

Laura has set up another lovely display of cushions, bags and spectacle cases. Nick told me that one of the bags is now in Canada. Sales by the way continue to be amazing with all three items doing very well.

The weather was nice, making lunch on Platform 2 very desirable. The arrival of P & O prompted a brief cameo of the loco, especially as the train restarted on its way to Cheltenham.

Friday

Today we were having our much needed Working At Heights course which our instructor Mike modified to include the training/retraining for our Fall Arrest System. As such I also came in to complete the Gala prep around the Works and nearby yard - overall a very big job.

The general information board in the lobby detailing the vehicles currently being worked on.

Part of the set up in the Paintshop. At the far end the course has moved into the area to allow the practice fitting of the harnesses and for Mike to explain all the essential information relating to the safety wires.

With the sun behind cloud came the chance to get a good photo of recently outshopped SO 4270 against the dark building.

3850 was doing some test running after sorting out some problems.

This also meant that the Rake 3 coaches could be put into Platform 2 ready for the Gala.

Returning to last Saturday (19th)

When SO 4790 was shunted outside it was replaced with something a great deal heavier.

2807 was brought down from Toddington by the 04.

The 03 took over and shunted the loco into the Paintshop.

2807 had already been prepped and undercoated at Toddington.

It was professionally painted over the next few days.

[Photo : Alex]  It was completed and shunted back out on Wednesday 23rd and returned to Toddington.

At the time we were asked not to publish anything in the Blog as they wanted to have the first public viewing at the Gala.

2807 was not the first loco.in the Paintshop. That honour goes to 2-8-0T 4270 back in 2014.

In two weeks or so, it's the turn of 3850 for another coat of paint and then varnish.