Weds 16th / Thurs 17th

As I rarely do Wednesdays at the Works and this week I also missed Thursday, many thanks to Gerry and Paul W. for the photos of the two days respectively. As I didn't take the photos, apologies for some of the light descriptions - hope I have got them all correct!

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Wednesday

Beginning with RMB 1876, with the amount of work required to resolve the metalworking issues at both ends, we can afford the time to make further improvements such as the replacement of the through route lino. As for the central vestibule the floor is being replaced. Simon is measuring the Malvern side entrance for a new threshold.

The new piece being trimmed up to fit.

The new floor is in. It looks like creocote has been painted to the underside.

Rod works on the base section of internal window framing.

John checking the action of the vacuum system under RBr 1675.

Something new for 1675 being opened up by the Richards.

Bryan and Rex about to drill a new fabrication (for what?)

One of the Metalwork team working on the weed spraying wagon.

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Thursday

Dave has already been hand sanding the Cotswold side of RMB1876 and has now upped a gear to pad sanding.

Gerry did more cleaning of the metalwork at the south end of the weed spraying wagon. He then coated it in red oxide.

Good to see it in red oxide. Roll on when the graffitied end is similarly painted.

Roger and Alan wait for the train at the south end of Platform 1 as there is a problem inside FK 13326, which is positioned at the south end of the relevant rake. It had been reported that the carpet in one of the compartments had gone missing!

They confirmed the report when the train pulled in. Then on the return trip got back on board and tackled the problem. It was necessary to remove the carpet gripper, which on its own is a potential trip hazard.

All very strange, but no doubt the mystery will eventually be resolved.

Meanwhile in one of the compartments in FK 13329, one of the Rake 4 coaches, the ceiling paint was beginning to flake. Alan and Roger scraped away the loose paint and then gave the ceiling a fresh coat of gloss.

Bob prepares to give the Cotswold side toilet compartment in SO 4798 a second coat of varnish.

Having applied the first coat of varnish in the confines of the toilet compartment I know that it can get very warm. Bob no doubt found this and takes a well earned break in the Barn entrance.

Paul began to smell chips and on looking out saw our Fish and Chip man preparing for the lunch time train. Unlike the regular evening Fish and Chip specials, the lunch time one is held in FO 3136 "Mary" on a normal service train. Every one of the dates for these soon sold out, seemingly being even more popular than the evening ones.

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The trip

On Thursday a group comprising members of C&W and FOWS had a very enjoyable visit to Sir William McAlpine's wonderful private railway and museum at Fawley Hill, Henley-on-Thames.

Visits are by invitation only and involve just a single group, so the very friendly staff can give you full attention, and indeed they really spoilt us.

The incredible 1-in-13 gradient full size railway is a wonder in itself. We had their 03 shunter for haulage as their Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 ST loco is still being refurbished.

The site itself is huge with peacocks (regularly making themselves known), rhea, and 10 species of deer, as well as other animals that we didn't see.

The collection of artifacts, some colossal such as station facades, station arches, bridge sides, a whole station, signalboxes, etc, etc are breathtaking and all over the whole site.

Then there is the museum. I, and I guess everyone else in the group, have never seen anything even remotely approaching the sheer scale of it and the countless items collected over the years, and as one of the staff told me, are still coming in! Another said he spots something he has not previously noticed everytime he is there. The model railways are also a dream.

And it's not just railways, but some wonderful cars, old road signs that the older ones of our age will readily remember. And everywhere, inside and out, metal signs advertising everything and anything.

Many thanks to Rose for organising it all.

A really amazing day. We must go again!