Saturday 18th - Variety

Another busy day with 25 attending.  Many thanks to James and Paul W for the extra photos.

As to be expected Shutdown activities were again very prominant, in this case re-covering worn 1st Class seat backs from maroon CK 16195. Laura explained that thanks to Richard J's memory, and Kevin's excellent knowledge of our storage, a number of made-up covers in the Brown Donkey Stripe moquette were instantly available.

Chris and Robert were rebuilding the floor sections for the toilet compartment in SO 4798 and was proving to be a bit of a challenge.

Some rechecking was needed. I heard them in conversation with James who was working inside.

Ainsley working on one of 4798's doors. The level of repair work needed required the door to be removed from the coach.

On the Malvern side of 4798 Alan is rebuilding another window area and assessing the fit of this piece of sheet metal.

Job completed with the green primer painted on.

[Photo : James]  James was replacing the cantrail at this end of the coach. This is all part of the corner rebuild that he is currently doing.

[Photo : James]

[Photo : James]. Checking the fit of his newly formed section of heavy gauge metal.

When checking the Barn at the end of the day I climbed up on to the large metal platform and zoomed in on the completed section.

The south of 4798 showing the right hand rebuild in progress. The left hand side has yet to be started.

After the lovely day on Thursday, today it was bleak and very cold, and unfortunately set to continue like this for several days.

Pam did a number of small painting jobs in RBr 1675, including the new sections of hardboard above the two emergency doors.

Maurice and Paul spent the day reattaching internal planking inside the MICA van. Lots of hammering throughout the day.

John continued the repairs to one of the MICA's label boxes, this part being top coated in GW Grey.

The other half of the box was being redrilled ......

........ and finished off with a file. Some holes were filled with fibre paste, which came out very well.

Andy and Stu inspecting the Barn area where bogie spare parts are stored.

These are off a Commonwealth bogie.

On Thursday I missed the Indoor Gang temporarily becoming the Dirty Gang and refitting the DA valve under TSO 4986. Unfortunately the valve still wasn't working properly and I captured Andy and Andy taking it back off again.

[Photo : Paul W]  Inside FO 3132 "Mary", the seat cushions have been taken up by Paul and Dennis. Time to begin the vacuuming. Both Rakes 1 and 2, currently stabled in the station during Shutdown, will be having a major clean throughout.

Shutdown jobs galore here! I missed Simon and Alan working in CK 16195 to sort out a ceiling repair. However I was able to prime the new main ceiling panel while Pam primed the beading strips. Chris and Robert had attached the metal fittings to the new battery box covers, so these needed painting in black MIO. Another new footboard had appeared for painting.

Another big day for FK 13326. Martin varnished all the Malvern side windows with the second coat.

On the Cotswold side Alex uses the circular pad sander with 320 paper to prime the first coat of varnish. Then the big wipedown with clean rags and thinners.

Bob got going with the second coat of varnish on the upper half, between the end doors.

Then it was back to the beginning with the lower half.

Meanwhile Alex proceeded to get the 1s (for First Class) painted on the five doors.

The Malvern side now looking really good.

Next adding the coach information at both ends using the template and French chalk method.

The horizontal tape ensures the letters are the same height.

Jen has almost completed the deep clean of each of the seven compartments. The blankets protecting the seats are neatly folded and will be returned to the racks in the changing/store room

Next the inside windows.

Laura went through the compartments with the staplegun to ensure any loose moquette was reattached.

The same shot taken  twice, the first with the lighting correct for the back panel .........

....... and the second correct for the seating.

One of the lovely Cotswold watercolours mounted in each compartment.

The final view of the Cotswold side with the obstacles keeping everyone away from the drying varnish.

With the light fading, the end of another busy day. A final check round and then off to the Mess Room to join the others for a final cup of tea before the long drive home.