Tuesday 3rd - Doors, doors and doors

 The title aptly describes much of today's activities with doors from both 1675 and 13326 under "attack".

First another brief look at the lovely products that emerge from our hardworking upholsterers and continue to sell well. In a recent chat with Laura she said that over 50 bags have now been sold. They are beautifully made with an inner pocket and strong handles. This particular bag caught my eye as I walked through Upholstery.

Part of the Bluebell contract

Piles of armrests, sidepanels, cushions and seats all destined for SO 4798.

While Maurice coats two of the MICA handrails in Red Oxide, in the background Stu pad sands the filler on the door for 1675's south connection.

Next it is the turn of the smaller of the internal sliding doors, roughing up the old formica in preparation for painting. On the left is the completed door for the electrics cupboard which will be hung on Thursday.

The sanded outer face of the connection door is now undercoated.

Now the turn of both the internal sliding doors to be given white undercoat.

Over to the south end of 13326 where Ian is filling and sanding the door edges and frame on the Cotswold side.

On the opposite side Roger is doing the same on the south end door.

At the north end on the same side Tony is removing the lower parts of the door back prior to pad sanding the old paint. Sanding and filling on the door frame and edges was also done, as well as some minor filling on the coach corner.

With all this effort completed Tony applies the Light Grey undercoat.

Job completed!

Now finished with the doors, Stu reverts to sanding the first top coat on the Cotswold side of 13326. Although we are currently devoting most of the effort on the coach to the doors and both ends, we are trying to maintain progress on the sides for when top coating can be resumed.

Three ceiling panels from one of 4798's vestibules were previously repaired and are now being sanded by Keith.

Cleaning up completed, so on with the undercoat White.

Robert creates more internal window framing for SO 4798.

Twelve more pieces of frame that have been varnished on their inner sides as damp protection. In the background Pam gives the handrails from RBr 1675 a second coat of Executive Light Grey - these will now be ready for the Indoor Gang to fit on Thursday.

On board 1675 Pam lightly sands the varnished oak in the counter area ........

...... before applying the second coat of varnish. The ceiling above was second top coated, and the back of the central passenger door given another top coat (upper section) and second coat of varnish (back panel). And while again talking doors, the back of the Cotswold side emergency door also received more varnish.

More GW Grey top coat was applied to the Open C wagon frame.

More seats on board FO 3127 are being released by Dave.

Well now we know when the seats were last refurbished and by whom. This must have been when the coach went into chartered main line running after being sold by BR.

Well done Maurice!

[Photo : Paul E.]  Happily sat in my corner, finger on the phone and already starting today's blog with the photos so far taken. Keen or what?!