Weds 16th / Thurs 17th - The flow never stops

The spell of good weather is beginning to break down but we still managed to continue with outside jobs.

As always, thank you for the kind comments. Also for the interesting bits of information, such as the origin of the multi-drawer shelf unit that we cleaned up and painted on Tuesday. For anyone who didn't see the comment the unit was originally donated by an electrician based in Stratford. Thank you Malcolm for the info on the Atlas bar, I didn't know they were called that - yes it does have the mechanism on the end and yes it does work very well for easing a vehicle along the track. 

Wednesday

Many thanks again to Gerry for Wednesday's photos.

Beginning with Rod fitting the bottom section of internal frame in one of SO 4798's Malvern side windows.

Some extra welding was needed on the rebuilt Cotswold side toilet compartment window frame. Rex grinds the weld flat.

Back to the opposite toilet compartment where more of the internal wood framework is going on.

In the Woodshop Simon is creating the top set of heavy wooden back plates for the south end corridor connection of 4798.

The set completed. These will now be modified by Ken ready for the fixings and then brought into the Paintshop for priming and painting black.

Ken working on a heavy bolt. I think Gerry said this was in relation to the heating system, presumably for 4798.

The heavy back rest for the seat removed from BCK 21092, the thick horsehair still retaining its shape with the old moquette removed.

Ceri and Jane, new members to the team, watch as Laura marks out the new moquette for the seat back.

Phil repairing one of our much used extension cables.

Job done!

The door under repair from the LNWR van in the Goods Office platform now partially stripped down.

John completing the final touches to the refurbished north end bogie under SK 24804.

The good weather enabled the Metalwork team to carry on stripping down what will become the weed killing vehicle. The redundant door guides were cut away from the top of the frame.

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Thursday

Two photos put up in the Barn of what we hope to build for the weed killing vehicle.

A quick peek in Upholstery to see how they got on with the seat back. It's beginning to look good.

The plywood patterns for the armrests and side panels neatly laid out.

The completed seat cushion. The lovely Silver Horsechestnut Leaf moquette is very popular. I saw a lot of it on my many visits to the North Norfolk Railway last year.

The time in the Paintshop is on the countdown now for RBr 1675. Although Alex still has to blackline most of the lettering on the Malvern side, the varnishing can still be done as this is the first coat. Both this and the neighbouring sections of the brown panelling and doors were lightly sanded ready. The cream and top sections had already been sanded.

Both Martin and Bob completed the first coat of varnish where it had not already been done. Most of the windows have already had two coats.

All the windows on the Cotswold side have had two coats and the doors and panels one coat. Bob and I lightly sanded the large central section ready for its second coat. Bob then got the upper half completed.

There's still a bit to do yet on the coach with respect to the Painting team's efforts, but the end is now very much in sight.

As previously mentioned we have a huge amount to get prepped and painted at the trestle end of the Paintshop. To begin catching up I got most of the items on the hooks coated in red oxide, which Martin finished off. All these will be completed in gloss black.

I think this is the last of TK 24006's compartment doors. It has been in the Paintshop for a while, but Dave was eager to get it back together and presumably back on the coach for storage until the coach can be brought in for full restoration.

At the south end of 4798 Rex is carefully tightening the securing screws for the Cotswold side toilet compartment window, with Gerry assisting from inside.

Later both were inside the compartment sorting out the inner wood frame.

More repair work for Phil, this time the base of one of our portable lights.

John, head of our Friday Maintenance gang, in conversation with electrician Richard I.

In FK 13329 Paul is well into cleaning the Brown Donkeystripe seating. Jenny is away at the moment but will be back on Saturday.

Repairs to the north end Cotswold side door of 13329 by Alan and Roger.

Checking the toilet tanks in CK 16195, the next coach in the line. Only 5 weeks to the steam gala so all available coaches required for Rakes 3 and 4 need to be checked.

Pam's donated almost new fridge now in place and up and running. Many thanks again Pam!