Saturday 11th - Gangways, shunting, and more

 Some excellent progress made today despite some continuing holiday absences.

Starting off with the RMB, Ken gathered some help to get the South gangway connection on. As soon as I stopped for a brief moment to take a picture that help involved me!

So I steered clear in the afternoon when the North end connection went on too, great progress.

Just need to slide the mounting timber on in between, which was still sat waiting to be painted on the trestles. So I threw some wood primer on those before I left for the day.

The Cotswold side also saw a transformation - Graham had been in during the week and made a start greying up, Bob carried on.

After I finished sanding a few last bits of filler, Bob wiped down this half and prepped it ready for a first undercoat grey, which I duly obliged after shunting duties. Ainsley continued prep on the Malvern side, I don't think we're too far behind there. 

James was doing a test fitting and fettling of his new door bottom on the BSK, Stuart offers some advice.

At the North end Alan has added some new metal.

Walking past the weedkilling wagon, all now in primer thanks to Maurice during the week.

Jenny decided the messroom was due another clean so set to.

The bogies brought in last week were being put back together ready for removal again. 

I should have asked but didn't, whatever needed to happen during the week presumably had happened. All part of John's cunning plans!

While we waited for the bogies to be ready to move, Stuart and I fetched the Mink D over from the other side of the yard and brought it a bit closer to base to get started.

Maurice and Paul were soon all over it with the heat guns, scrapers and sanders.

We knew the doors needed replacing, but hmm, a few more holes than expected once the paint started coming off with rotten wood attached. Oh well, might need a few more planks! We'll try and be as conservative as possible whilst replacing what needs to be.

As we were shunting the 3rd and 4th rakes together ready for the Autumn Showcase in a couple of weeks, Foremarke steamed past.

Bogies were then ready to be duly shuffled around, and the GUV brought in as part of a grand bogie swapping plan. The wheels on these bogies are very good, so we'll be having those. Maybe keep the frames too if they turn out to be ok, I think to go under 4798?

Speaking of, there was a trial fit of one of the tables inside 4798. The original tables aren't quite suitable for its upgraded use, but we have a stack of Mk3 tables that can be cut down to the right size and shape (Tom did the honours here), and with some trim round the edge, comes up quite smart.

John and Andy with the pipe thread cutter, with the upright vacuum connection for 4798

And fitting, more good progress.

Overall, a very satisfying day. Normal blogging service shall be resumed this week as Dave is back from Exmoor.