Saturday 30th - Rain didn't stop play

 Thanks to Paul W and Robert for extra photos.

A bright start with some heavy rain threatened later on and Foremarke Hall passing with the first southbound train of the day. Thankfully the wet weather has removed the fire risk.

The replacement doors for the Queen Mary guards van were fitted today by Robert and Chris. 

[Photo : Robert] The Malvern side proved to be somewhat problematic and took some time to sort out.

[Photo : Robert] The opposite side was completely different and within a relatively short time the new door was mounted and working well. I will have a look on Tuesday with respect to any touch up painting that may be required.

Maurice is enjoying himself with his work on the weedspraying wagon and is now cleaning up and priming in oxide the sole bar on the Malvern side.

Clive meanwhile was grinding the north end of the wagon, removing both rust and the grafitti.

Alan has been making good progress with the north end of RMB 1876. The new sections of sheet metal are gradually being cut and welded in.

The Malvern side now completed.

With this coach being higher priority George has transferred from SO 4798 and is now sanding the Malvern side of 1876. We need to get that old paint sanded really flat.

Ken adds sealant to the vertical connection supports at the south end.

Phil cleans and services recess socket lights for 1876's vestibules. These will first end up on the Paintshop trestles.

John is making new pins for the Open C wagon. One has been made but needs to be thinner, so back to the lathe.

There are quite a few needed.

Andy continues the cycle of vacuum cylinder refurbishment, using the tungsten carbide scraper to remove the worst of the grime.

He later finishes the job with the grinder. The next step will be applying the black MIO.

It was just Peter and Jane in Upholstery today, stripping more seating from the FODR's fourth contract.

[Photo : Paul W]. She's always got a lovely smile. Jenny approaches with bucket, mop and other cleaning materials, ready to do the floor in RBr 1675. The coach has been stabled in the Works siding, a more convenient location for general access.

At the south end of SO 4798 James is marking the position for welding a section of z bar to act as support for a large piece of sheet metal.

Later in the day on the opposite side, Andy is grinding previous welding.

Also grinding is James, cleaning the welds after attaching the large piece of sheet metal.

It's looking good!

Moving on to, or rather into, TSO 5023, both toilet compartments need tidying up. As such I began stripping out anything that was in the way of repainting. The painted areas were then lightly sanded and wiped down.

Pam arrived and began masking up the edges of the areas to be repainted and the varnished beading.

Bob began varnishing the ends, not something we normally do, but I have often wondered why not. 

Next the Cotswold side steps to paint in gloss black. There are still a number of things to be done but 5023 is well on the way to completion.

Two photos from Paul W of Bob doing a bit of washing up. Makes a change from all that painting and varnishing.

A number of our staff are very keen on model railways. James and Robert test running on this short length of track.