Thursday 7th - The view from above

Another lowish attendance with just twelve in. The holiday season is definitely having an effect.

As happened with Alex on Saturday, I too was fairly tied to a job for much of the day and couldn't get around as normal, so thanks to Phil J and Paul W for the extra photos and apologies for the heavy bias towards TSO 5023.

Two photos showing some of Wednesday's efforts. Above the new floor going in at the south end of RMB 1876. Below Ken has started work on refurbishing 1876's south corridor connection.

Reference the recent query about the lighting in 1876, the fixtures are being changed from the tubular type to the original circular model and will look very much better. All our lighting is now by LED as this has much lower impact on the batteries.

Maurice finishing the undercoating of the heavy backplates for 1876's connection. Next to them is one of the new doors for the Queen Mary brake van ............

[Paul W.]  ...... which Maurice primed and later undercoated. The good news regarding the top coat is that we have what feels like half a 5L tin of Southern Freight Brown so should be fine for coating both doors.

New leaf springs for the MICA van. Hopefully these can now be fitted and the van can go out at last.

[Paul W.]  Alan ( and Geoff) were back out working on Rake 4 coaches, here repairing the back of one of the doors.

[Paul W.]  Richards I and II were doing more electrical testing using the generator under RBr 1675.

[Paul W.]  Richard I is laughing so I take it that all is well.

[Paul W.]  "Foremarke Hall" passes Rake 3 with the Cheltenham train.

Maurice made good progress with refurbishing the sack truck. By the end of the day it was back in one piece and looked very good. Another top coat and it can be taken up to the station.

Now on to TSO 5023 and a very good day of progress. Bob top coated the whole of the lower section of the Malvern side.

Jeff began top coating the gutter panel on the opposite side starting at the north end ..........

[Paul W.]  ......... and then, to avoid the tower where I was working, moved to the south end and continued there.

[Paul W.]  Bob nearing the end of his painting.

Up to the roof where Phil is painting the cowls and surrounding area.

Some need a good vacuum inside. The portable cleaner is ideal for this.

[Paul W.]  By now I'm about half way along the Cotswold side, here painting the edge of the roof as it drops down into the gutter.

Phil makes good progress with the centre section.

[Paul W.]  Paul gets a wave from Phil.

It's now 4 pm and it looks like a lot do in the central section, but it actually doesn't take Phil long to cover this. I have covered about two thirds of the Cotswold side.

By now Phil was well on the way to completing the centre section and I am approaching the south end.

[Phil J]  A long shot of the roof with me at the far end and a small area left for Phil to do next time.

[Phil J]  It's getting late and I've had enough, but I'm determined to get the job done. Nearly there with the first coat, and then clean up, put everything away, check everywhere is secured, and join Maurice for a cup of tea before heading home.

The Malvern side with its first top coat completed. 

Still quite a way to go with 5023, but a satisfying day overall. Be nice to get the roof completed with a second top coat (the Malvern side is finished) and get more top coat on the Cotswold side.