Thursday 3rd - First forays
An interesting day, particularly with the arrival of our new coach FO 3127 at Winchcombe.
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Firstly in response to a comment from Neil at the end of Tuesday's post:
A slight correction to my statement about the acquisition of FO 3127. The PLC are the owners of the new coach. Dave H. made the very generous donation which enabled its purchase from the East Lancs Railway. 3127 will be named 'Carol' after Dave's wife and will go into Crimson & Cream livery.
The two NYMR coaches are with us on a free loan for 10 years, with the option for them to be returned if required by the NYMR. This happened for a short time after the pandemic when the lockdowns had ceased and heritage railways could resume running.
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Now some further photos from Roger taken on Tuesday in SK 24949, where repairs were being made to the south vest67ibule ceiling.
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Now on to the arrival of FO 3127 at the Works and for most of us an initial foray inside. Dave H. and Richard J. would of course have viewed it all before agreeing to buy it.
Neil and Stu brought it down from Toddington and stabled it in the Works siding, conveniently next to the Paintshop side door.
When climbing inside the north vestibule, the impression was one of damp and mustiness, and the eyes were immediately drawn to a nice hole on the Malvern side.
Then into the north compartment where Paul and Dave were having a grand tidy up. That's better!
Some areas made 3127 appear as though it was in service!
The formica ceiling looks in good condition.
How the moquette looked when it was new. It all looks very familiar. Have Upholstery used this for cushions, bags and glasses cases? We have obtained quite a bit of moquette in all sorts of design and colour specifically for our shop sales.
Some definite work needed here!
The centre doors out of use and the vestibules blocked with shelving. Former main line running was very evident with both this and the secondary locks on the doors at both ends.
Need to preserve these.
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Now on to the rest of the day's activities.
We want to get SO 4790 finished and out of the Paintshop in about two weeks to enable 2807 to come in for painting in wartime black. Jeff does what he really enjoys. We all liked the hat - very professional!
Phil J. prepares for what both he and most of us don't enjoy, varnishing! First he gives the upper section paintwork a light sand with 240 paper. He then gave a second coat of varnish from the south end to just after the first window.
Phil S. creates some brackets to support the anti-frost heating unit that will be fitted in RBr 1675's kitchen.
The first heater in its bracket supports provides frost control for the kitchen skid and associated equipment.
Phil demonstrates where the Pantry frost control heater will be located.
Rex and the team are back on window reinstating on SO 4798.
Jeff begins varnishing the new inner window sections for 4798 that were recently made by Robert and Chris. Phil tops up with more varnish, while he and Jeff discuss C&W finances, both involved with looking after our budgetting.
The Malvern side revolving locking bar now installed on the MICA van.
It was a really lovely day and well worth a walk up the yard to take a few photos before going back to have a look at S3127.
With regards to 3127, I have a couple of queries. Is it currently air braked only? What is that device at the North end, stretched across the corridor sliding door? When it is outshopped, it looks as though it will be a very useful addition to the fleet.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you have any idea why other railways seem to have an aversion to working centre doors ( I can understand with 3127, since it seems to have been done to create extra passenger luggage space.)
Hope to see the progress on the various items of rolling stock at the end of the month.
A Pettifer