Thursday 5th - Rain stopped play

 Well the rain stopped any work on the Discovery Coach, but it meant we could get back to SO 4798. All remaining jobs were inside, either in the Works or Rake Three so the state of the weather didn't matter.

Maurice completed almost all of the remaining top coating on the MICA van, which importantly included the Malvern side. This will enable Alex to begin the remaining signwriting. The underside of the steps were given a second coat of white gloss; they will probably benefit from a third coat.

On to 4798 where Jeff and I began more sanding on the Cotswold side. There is so much filler to sand down, and some of the basic bodywork still hasn't had a general sanding. 

As this is a longer term refurb it's worth taking the grab handles off as this makes the prep and painting so much easier. There were just five to remove as the Malvern side north end has had new metal and a handle will need to be reinstated when painting has been completed. The securing bolts were stiff and creaked, and took some effort to undo. Four handles came off perfectly, but not the fifth where annoyingly one of the captive nuts has come loose so the internal panel strip will need to be removed to allow access.

Bob worked around several of the windows, sanding the many patches of filler covering the recessed screw heads. I had previously begun sanding the nearby door edges and doorframe sides - very important.

Jeff chalks around further areas on the north end that require filling.

George had left a clear note on the Malvern side area where he ended his day last Saturday. He has done a great job with the general sanding down on this side of the coach.

Phil was busy setting up new electrical connectors for coach ends. These will be destined for SO 4798 and RMB 1876.

The bogie work on RBr 1675 continued with John tackling the Cotswold side of the south bogie. As with the Malvern side of both bogies, the bolster spring hanger assembly had been removed to allow the hellical springs to be removed, the badly  corroded shims to be replaced and the area needle gunned to clean it up. 

Getting the heavy bolster spring hanger assembly back in place needed help from Phil and Roger.

When everything is put back the suspension will be adjusted to give the correct ride height. A quick run up the yard and back will be done as this helps everything settle back down before final adjustments are made.

Two photos showing the current metalworking on the south end of RMB 1876. When this eventually comes into the Paintshop it will go into crimson and cream livery, and then replace RMB 1808 in Rake 2.

The Indoor Gang were busy in FK 13337 "Gillian". Roger was repairing the back of the Cotswold side south end door.

While Geoff and Alan were reinstating a seat side panel having replaced a section of corroded ply panelling.

The disabled area in BCK 21092 makes a handy place for all the cleaning items while Rake 3 is stabled in its siding.

Further along the rake in SK 25341 Paul is vacuuming all the seats.

Returning to 21092, while the exterior could do with a much needed repaint, the interior is looking superb with the recently reupholstered second class compartment joining the two first class compartments in having the lovely silver horsechestnut leaf moquette. Walking into Upholstery during the morning, in the pile of newly made cushions I noticed one had been made with this moquette. A second one was spotted in the pile on the storage rack.

The lead coach in Rake 3 is TSO 5023, which I believe will be shunted into the Paintshop on Saturday, and the next coach to go into crimson and cream.

In the Monster Van Derek is in the middle of repairing one of the south end bottom corners

A very wet yard. The rain had eased off but it was too late for any outside work on the Discovery Coach.

A very happy Jeff with his recent purchase of two brown donkey strip moquette cushions and specs case.

Bob watches the last train of the day to Cheltenham, and then the penultimate one to Toddington.