Tuesday 21st - The Big Push

Many thanks to Paul and Robert for the extra photos.

The number of re-covered seat cushions from CK 16195 has grown. These were done during Saturday, and as mentioned previously, we are using covers that had previously been stored.

There were a number of small jobs still to do inside FK 13326. While pondering these, a sit for a few minutes to enjoy some First Class luxury. I must sit in this coach next time I have a ride on the trains

So, what's left to varnish on the outside? With the main Malvern bodyside going to be completed hopefully by Bob on Thursday, this left the four end doors and corner sections. Richard did a good job with these. We are almost there.

I ensured all the window sliders worked - some were stuck - and then lightly scraped the top of the centre bars to remove any paint residue. A quick wipe with thinners and then Richard gave a fresh coat of Cream to tidy them up.

Other internal jobs included giving the bases of the compartment window frames a fresh coat of varnish and restaining the corridor skirting also for varnishing. Richard cleaned the corridor ceiling.

Ian initially helped the MICA gang and then did more sanding down of the north end of SO 4798. It's good for the Painting and Prep team to keep the momentum going on this coach as it will be a very big job when we eventually tackle this full time.

My efforts in 13326 were interrupted when Robert and Chris reported numerous break-outs on the side of BSKD 34929. This isn't in our Shutdown list but needs to be dealt with, and being a dry day I could make a good start. So with scraper, sandpaper, thinners, rags and Red Oxide, it was off to Platform 1 asap.

[Photo : Robert] The worst area was at the south end, with two more smaller areas towards the centre and at the north end.

[Photo : Robert]  This needed some good quality filler, so what better than to open a new tin. Robert caught me working on the main area.  After a thorough sanding and wipeover, I finished off the job with undercoat. At the moment Saturday looks dry so there might be a chance to top coat then.

Wonder what the other side is like? 👀

The MICA van rebuild seems to be going on forever. It has been problematic to say the least, to the point where to be frank, everyone involved is getting fed up with it. So today there was a determined effort to do as much as possible.

At the north end Chris and Robert, assisted by Maurice on tied-on ladder, resumed the replanking of the north end.

[Photo : Robert]  Chris is making a new base block for one of the ends to provide support for the vacuum pipe.

[Photo : Robert] 

[Photo : Robert]

At the south end Paul and Ian are securing the base block to the van body, prior to attaching the vacuum pipe.

Discussion time!

[Photo : Robert]  Now to the north end where Maurice and Paul are securing the vacuum pipe

[Photo : Robert]  

[Photo : Paul]  The new top planks are primed ......

....... and the lower ones undercoated.

Overall it was a good day for the team and no doubt helped refresh the enthusiasm for the job.

Keith had a busy day on the trestles. Beginning with the priority job which was to undercoat the new ceiling panel and beading strips for one of the coaches currently stabled in the station. The Paintshop was nice and warm, so did it all dry quick enough for the top coat to go on? If so it would be ready for Simon and Alan the next day.

New MICA planking was primed. Getting all this measured and cut to shape as well showed the determination by Robert and Chris to get the rebuild completed.

Other jobs included the top coating of another footboard, the Not To Be Moved flag, an electrical cover from 13326, pipe brackets on the hooks, some small planks (also for the MICA van?), and spare ceiling lights.

Thankfully it was a bit warmer than of recent days and very helpful with respect to my outside job, and others working on the running line opposite the Works and up at the station. The escarpment is crowned by mist.