Thursday 5th - How soon?!!!

Before beginning today's post, a very special 'Well Done' to everyone involved with running the Santa weekends. Having coped admirably two weeks ago with the last storm, following lots of last minute changes, we are back with another wretched storm doing its best to wreck another weekend. The amount of reorganisation that has had to be done for this coming weekend beggars belief. Let's hope it all goes well for everyone concerned.

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We had a very productive day in the Works and with FK 13326 it needed to be. More on that later. However on to other things first.

There were still problems affecting the vacuum braking on SK 25488, but I believe these have now been resolved.

Phil is busy fitting the valve to this toilet tank. I meant to ask him where this was for - SO 4798?

On board SO 4798 Gerry and Rex are securing the base layer of internal window frame.

It was good to see Bob Mac as he can make it in only occasionally now. He gave the repaired vestibule ceiling panels from 4798 another coat of White gloss and then undercoated the stock of footboards.

In 1675's pantry Richard I cuts to length the main lead from the lithium batteries.

Back to those doors, Phil J. applies the first coat of Orange-Brown gloss to the outside of 1675's south end connection door ...........

......... and then the first coat of White gloss to the two internal sliding doors.

[Photo : Roger E.]  A busy day for Alan and Geoff who made good progress mounting the covers to the heating pipes on the Malvern side of the saloon.

[Photo : Roger E.]

Paul fitted the handrail in the counter area .....

........ while Roger began replacing the realigned pelmet sections.

[Photo : Roger E.]

A final look along the Malvern side of the saloon.

[Photo : Roger E.]

The counter area with the handrail secured. The main panel and central passenger door also look good after Pam's painting and varnishing on Tuesday.

Finally back into the Paintshop and FK 13326. Phil J. worked on the Cotswold side north door, continuing the general cleaning up and tidying up with filler.

[Photo : Gerry]  I continued the work on the Malvern side south door that David had started the day before, completing the general preparation and then painting in undercoat Light Grey.

Ian, our HOD, did the same on the opposite side and did a very good job with the painting. Now can I encourage him to join the Painting Team?

My door, also greyed up. Both doors are now ready for taping up. The corner demarkation tapes can also be put on.

So, some good progress on the FK and there needs to be as Stu and Ian have asked for the coach to be fully painted and varnished in 6 weeks time. There's some mechanical work to follow before the coach is put into one of the rakes by about mid-Feb. It has been committed to the Race Trains.