Saturday 25th - A Cunning Plan!

A shunt and the beginning of a cunning plan today, more on that in a bit...

But first things first, a 'high level meeting' on 4798 looking at roof repairs with James, Alan and Stuart. Good progress is being made here.

It was pleasing to see the North end of the Mica looking more complete. Just the top vent to go.

Paul and Maurice spent a bit more time refitting the internal tin work.

While John continued his project on the double label boxes.

Before and after, great work!

We also braved a peep at the roof today to see what needed doing - Robert captured Stuart and I investigating.

 A tentative peel back of the canvas showed a few ropey bits but nothing beyond us. A few patch repairs, and everything needs re-screwing down before a new canvas goes on.

The old canvas was soon had off, Maurice carts it off to the skip.

It was a fine bright but still cold day, so Dave got Bob painting over the patch repairs on 34929 outside.

Paul (pictured) and Dennis continued their deep clean of the running coaches parked in the platform.

Back on the jack road 4986 had a brake test after some more adjustment, I think it's all sorted now.

Then the cunning plan came into play! The FK having been finished was shunted out, and 4986 put in its place. The original thought was just to give it a thorough exterior clean and polish, and do a couple of patch repairs where the filler had failed. 

Then we had a better idea - it would be better if we could dig out a bit more of the failing filler on the rivet line, and repaint the whole lower panels. And if we're doing that, why not repaint it into crimson & cream!?

It'll be a close run thing, as we must put it back in the rake for the start of the running season, so Dave captured me getting cracking straight away with the wire wheel. Messy but quick!

And out with the fibreglass. Hopefully this should fare a bit better than the basic polyester stuff here.

The plan, crack on everyone!

Sorry I didn't get round to everyone, there was plenty more ongoing. 

And just the one pic from Sunday and a visit to the GCR's winter gala, our own 3850 on the minerals set, starring alongside Betton Grange soon to be taking up residence with us. The weather and crowds dictated we grab a compartment and stay there, which we did, with much merriment from a good turnout of GWSR folk and friends from other railways too.