Tuesday 1st - The New Arrival

A busy day in the Works with a good number in for a Tuesday, and a good day with a very special event to end it.

The steps into the Santa coach (former SK 25628) needed repainting. After a clean up Ian began repainting the top and face of each one in Black MIO, which being hard wearing should last longer.

By the time I entered the Woodshop to see what Chris and Robert were doing, quite a bit had already been done with Robert tidying up.

They were making more internal window framing for SO 4798. Chris finishes this piece.

Robert checks to ensure all is ok.

A new plank has been cut ready for the next batch of framing.

A nice stack completed and placed by Stu T.'s desk as he had requested them.

Ainsley with a new bit of frame for FK 13326

Even when we don't paint beneath the sole bar, we always do the fuse boxes and external charging points. Ian does the job on SO 4790.

We are now into second coating the external varnish. Richard lightly sands the Cotswold side with 320 paper.

With the bottom section lightly sanded and wiped, Stu applies the second coat of varnish.

Later on with Richard and Stu sharing the north end lower section on the Cotswold side. We are nearly there with 4790.

The MICA van rebuild is continuing to advance. Maurice primes the waiting set of planks.

[Photo : Paul E.]   Then more planks appear ......

(Photo : Paul E]   ....... and also need to be done.

[Photo : Paul E.]  Robert and Chris were later to be found adding another plank to the south end of the van.

[Photo : Paul E.]  The result. These planks are a bit of a trial to mount, partly because they have to be bent into position.

More assessment, this time concerning the main support timbers.

We are making excellent progress with the painting inside RBr 1675. Martin initially top coated the long picture rail dividing the wall and ceiling.

He then moved on to the back of the first set of double doors.

Pam arrived and continued the top coating from the first window at the south end of the corridor.

As a final job for the day after the varnishing on 4790, Richard completed the undercoating on the 1675's saloon sliding door.

A number of items for Keith to prepare and paint, which included door hinges from the MICA van, a new footboard, and another item from the Open C wagon.

Dave prepares more items from TK 24006 which are later varnished.

P & O was running today along with the DMU.

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And now on to today's big event at Toddington which was the arrival of FO 3127 from the East Lancs Railway.

Many thanks to Richard J. for the photos.

So, another step towards getting identical rake formations. We may be able to begin restoration towards the end of next year, very much depending of course on what else is going on. When the time eventually comes for painting I must make sure we have a good stock of crimson and cream!

All this of course thanks to the huge generosity of Dave H., who already owns BCK 21092 and co-owns TK 24006. I'm fairly sure 3127 will be named and have a very good idea what it will be. No wonder he looks happy!