Tuesday 19th - Another dry day

A somewhat frenetic day trying to keep up with a busy schedule. As I was heavily involved with lining out and the usual dashing about, the bias is very much about TSO 5023. Robert kindly provided some extra photos on the work he and Chris were involved with.

[Photo : Robert]  Chris displays the new sapele laminated end panels and roof insert panel for the south end vestibule in RMB 1876 that he and Robert made during the day.

In the Barn both Keith (and Ainsley) worked on the outside of 1876 generally sanding and removing the three-banded lower line. 1876 will soon be transferred to the Paintshop.

We need to get both the Open C and MICA van completed and out as both have been in the Works for a considerable time. Paul continues the journal polishing on the Open C.

A good way to ensure vital nuts (and bolts) don't go missing, especially as they are imperial and expensive (even difficult) to replace. Keith secures the nuts for the missing buffer.

Maurice continues the clean up and repainting of the various bits from the wagon. The large coil spring from the replacement buffer will have a thick coating of grease before installation.

Pam did a wide range of painting during the day. The large gala notice board received its dark grey undercoat as well as the two tops of the new doors for the Queen Mary brake van. This was followed up with top coating various areas of the south end of TSO 5023 that still needed attention.

The Queen Mary in the Rake 3 siding, awaiting the fitting of its replacement doors.

Now a lengthy run of photos covering the repainting of 5023. Ralph, our temporary contractor, begins flatting the lower section of the Cotswold side.

Meanwhile with the final top coating on the Malvern side now completed by Ralph, and the gold lining out completed by Alex and myself, Richard and I got going with the black line.

It's a fiddly job applying the tape on the edge of the line or colour band, keeping it exactly in the right place as far as possible. This particularly applies to both under and above the window frames, the latter frequently taking several attempts to get it right as the tape continually gets caught on the frame.

On the other side Ralph was making excellent progress and had now moved up to the central cream section.

Alex appeared later in the day and applied the coach number to the Malvern side.

With my usual chasing about Richard ended up doing the lion's share of the black lining out and doing a good job of it all. My section unfortunately had a few problems, but Ralph said he would fix these the next day.

The coach number in place with Richard well on the way to completing the final bit of lining out on this side.

To pave the way clear for Alex to apply the number on the Cotswold side, Ralph top coated the end panel, and while at it also the bottom panels of the doors.

The Cotswold side beginning to look good.

Pam and Ralph having a relaxing chat after a busy day.

[Photo : Robert]  An interesting project in its early days is the creation of a garden railway at the station. The lengths of wood were cut to form support posts.

[Photo : Robert]

Diesel haulage continued throughout the day with the dry spell seemingly endless (some very light rain appeared early the next day).