Saturday 21st - Getting back to normal

Today had a more normal attendance. Still a few regulars away but it was good to see the Works busy again, which in turn means a good lengthy posting.

The buzzing of sanders was of course much heard during the day as the work on TSO 5023 continued,  with Bob tackling the upper section on the north end of the Cotswold side.

Richard carefully mixes another blob of filler with enough hardener to give it a faint pink tinge. Being a very warm day, small batches are desirable - too large an amount and the filler has gone off before it can all be applied.

A large area requires several successive batches.

[Photo : Paul E.]  It was just me on the Malvern side today. Further fibre paste was spread along the rivet line where needed and when it had set I began a major sanding session along the south half of the coach, including the panel up to the lower line - everything above had already been done.

The initial coat of light grey undercoat shows up where further filler is needed. When completed these areas are patch painted with further grey.

Overall a lot more was achieved. Still quite a bit to do yet, but hopefully it won't be too long before greying up covers the whole coach. We must also make a start on the roof - we really miss Bob Mac who would by now have got at least half of it done.

I ended up my day giving the floor around 5023 a good clean up with the Paintshop Henry, definitely worth doing after a session like this.

Some final (?) work with the MICA painting as Paul lightly sands a small area on the Cotswold side before giving it more top coat.

Looking like an artist at work with that small brush, Maurice adds further top coat to the nuts and bolts.

Later both Paul and Maurice transferred to the Open C wagon. Paul refits the metal plate to the brake handle.

Both Maurice and Paul applied Creosolve to the internal wall planking  on all four sides - the top plank has already been painted.0p

Alex, who had been with the Youth Group during the day, painted the large G W on the Cotswold side of the wagon and it now looks quite impressive.

Having been taught to weld by James, Andy is now a force in his own right and has made a good job at the south end of SO 4798.

Cleaning up the base of the corner section.

Ken is now mounting the communication cord assembly at the south end.

Simon and Tom in the process of rebuilding the plyboard panelling in the Cotswold side toilet compartment. I will take a photo on Tuesday of the rebuild so far.

All the wall panelling in the saloon is now complete. We must begin varnishing this when we get the chance.

John continues creating sheet metal infills at the south end of RMB 1876.

Later in the morning the sky dulled and we even had spots of rain.

John making adjustments to the north end bogie under RBr 1675.9

Jenny doing a terrific job cleaning everywhere in the pantry and kichen in preparation for the fitting of the equipment which I believe is being done next week.

The skids under the pantry sink unit, with all the plumbing and electric systems neatly in place.

Phil sorting out the saloon lights, some of which aren't working.

Robert and Chris created a new former for internal window frames.

Chris sets up the palm router ready.

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Peter and Laura are preparing the moquette sections for the headrests.

The various shapes, neatly cut out and awaiting fitting.

Paul, back from in good Dorset holiday and now happily brewing up ready for the lunchtime break.

John fills in the form detailing the bogie ride height and related information following the work on 1675's north end bogie.

Today we were running on the summer timetable, and there should have been two engines in steam. Initially Betton Grange was running, but later in the day both trains were diesel hauled. With this excessively hot dry weather lineside fires are not what we want.

Sunday 22nd

[Photo : Alex]   Finally, on Sunday Alex went to the Broadway Caravan Site to signwrite the L S W R wagon. This now looks very good.