Tuesday 29th - Back to almost normal

After an enjoyable gala, it was time to clear away all the associated items, everything from direction signs to barrier chains. Thanks again to Keith for giving me much appreciated help.

Many thanks also for the kind compliments in the blog over the past few days. 

I never got around to answering the following query connected to the Fawley Hill Museum:

David AJuly 19, 2025 at 5:40 PM

is Holiday Haunts O gauge Layout still there?

In short, if this is the very extensive 0 gauge layout on the ground floor of the Museum building, then yes it is. A group come in regularly to maintain and run it. Being so overwhelmed by the sheer size of the museum, I can't remember if I saw or was told the name of the layout.

Now on to today's activities. Thanks to Paul E for the extra photos.

Thanks to Richard's efforts we completed the cleaning up of 5023's roof with the Malvern side tackled from the south to north over the course of the day. This involved sanding the roof where we needed to reduce any rusted areas and scraping loose paint from above the gutter.

Each area was vacuumed to remove the bits and worst of the dust. 

The roof will be wiped over with thinners and a coat (or coats) of grey MIO applied.

David initially vacuumed the floor throughout the coach to remove accumulated dust. 

He then top coated the corridor connection doors at both ends.

[Photo : Paul]  For some time we have had a large sack truck in the Paintshop awaiting restoration. Being large it was inevitably forever in the way, so time to do something about it. Maurice completely stripped it down and began cleaning up the metal components.

When completed the truck will be taken up to the station for display.

More cleaning up, this time by Paul with a coupling from the MICA van.

[Photo : Paul]  Cleaned up and oiled.

The viewing area barrier stands have been dismantled and chains stored in their tub. Before putting them in their storage area in the Monster Van, Keith and I watch 2807 pass by with the Cheltenham train.

Pam began by varnishing more base sections of internal window frame, both front and back of each. This was for both new and reused pieces.

Next some new side pieces. Most of these are destined for TSO 4867. In the background Keith primes some corridor connection components from RMB 1876.

Now a very interesting item for cleaning up and display, an antique track gauge.

Ainsley and Dave H. continued the general sanding down of the body sides of RMB 1876. Ainsley, having dug out a number of areas of old loose filler, treated the relevant places for any rust and then applied either fibre paste or ordinary filler according to the type of repair needed.

Pam and Robert watch 3850 come by with the Broadway train. It's nice to have the old timetable in action again with the regular crossover of the two trains at Winchcombe. I think this ends during September.