Tuesday 8th - Makes a nice change

It's often said that we spend all our time in the Works and hardly ever get to ride in the coaches that we restore and refurbish. Today some of the Tuesday gang, and Phil S. who came in specially, took a trip to Cheltenham and back, while Pam (who comes in later) and I spent the afternoon enjoying the First Class comfort in "Mary"and did the complete round trip. As the title says, it makes a nice change.

Many thanks to Paul E. for the extra photos.

It was nice to see James in today in addition to his usual Saturdays. Still plenty to do at the south end of SO 4798.

Robert in discussion with James about the area to be refloored inside the south vestibule.

At the other end of the coach on the Cotswold side Ian fills the reemed out rivet line with fibre paste.

With the canvas soon ready to be fixed on the roof of the MICA van, Chris inspects the roof and finds a small area of poor planking to sort out.

With the new boot scraper stand fully primed I undercoated the top and began working on the frame. Pam arrived and took over.

Almost done. We were hoping the undercoat might have dried by the time we got back from our trip, but being cool inside the Paintshop it was still tacky at the end of the day.

A new pile of pattresses being primed by Keith. These are the backing for the electrical connectors at each end of the coach. These will be undercoated, painted in black gloss, and then added to our stock ready for use when required.

Keith then went on to clean up this metal sign board which will be painted red and then lettered SHUNTING IN PROGRESS. It will be used as an additional warning at the entrance to the yard.

The frame recovered from the old Building Services hut (due to be demolished) will be used with the offcuts from the Open C wagon cedar planks to form a new workbench. Ainsley having cleaned up the frame now coats it in green primer.

The good weather continues, so why not enjoy lunch up at the station. Robert, James, Ainsley and Chris make the most of it.

For Pam and myself it was a relaxing round trip, doing the whole run between Cheltenham and Broadway. It was also quite useful to see where the new bootscraper stand would go, and there lies the mystery. Broadway cafe appears to have an adequate and very sturdy looking trolley on which are three of the converted track chairs and a section of cleaned up rail for sale. So just where is the new stand going?

On the run to Broadway, passing the Works we spot Ian ........

....... and James (difficult to capture against the light so nearly missed him!).

A quick update on Upholstery, beginning with the tired seating retrieved on Saturday from BCK 21092. While looking nice inside, 21092 is one of many that could do with a repaint.

The stockpiles of seating for SO 4798 are so big now that I can't help but wonder whether the job has now been completed. I must ask on Saturday.

A large stock of cushions, bags and spectacle cases ready for the shops to sell. On the end the "template" for the planned new line in little bags.

Underneath the bench top is a selection for online sales.

More good progress with the Open C wagon. Maurice coats what must be the last two floor planks with Creosolve.

Paul restacks the undercoated side planks.

[Photo : Paul E.]  You could put many a caption to this photo! Robert and Chris are fitting one of the last floor planks.

[Photo : Paul E.]

Paul is also now involved.

[Photo : Paul E.]  All the bolts are now in place ready for the washers and nuts to be fitted.

[Photo : Paul E.]  The end of the day with all the undercoated planks now neatly stacked on the wagon. Views from both ends.

[Photo : Paul E.]

[Photo : Tony B.]  Finally a photo of John, head of our Friday Maintenance team, representing the GWSR at Cheltenham Model Show on Sunday. Thank you for the photo Tony.