Weds 29th / Thurs 30th - Weedy's looking good

Wednesday

Many thanks to Gerry for the day's photos, some of which are from the previous Wednesday (22nd).

Ken securing the north end corridor connection to RMB 1876.

Simon preparing more wood sections for the north connection floor.

Ainsley adding the first coat of light grey MIO to the final section of roof at the Cotswold side south end.

Later having moved round to the Malvern side. If it can be done, it will be good to get the roof fully painted before we start top coating the sides.

The weedspraying wagon is coming on in leaps and bounds. Nick and Rex are sorting out the Malvern side gate position .........

........ so as to correctly locate the hinges.

Rex now drills the holes for the hinge bolts.

Nick welding the gate sections.

Rex cleaning up one of the attachments that limits the gate to inward opening only. There will be two of these (top and bottom) which will be welded on.

Bryan watches Rex setting up the powersaw for more metal9⁸ sections

Sorting out what will be the removable central sections on the Cotswold side.

Discussion time.

Bob primes the fitted Malvern side gate.

Nick begins welding the first of the removable frames.

Photo taken from the mezzanine of the trial fit of the outer part of the first frame.

[Hope I have been abe to interpret the photos correctly. Nick explained the planned build for the two sides during a quiet moment in the gala weekend. The lift out removable frames will enable good access for when the equipment and storage tanks are loaded, or need to be removed for servicing and/or repair.]

Tony continues the black glossing of the underframe on the Malvern side.

The Malvern side steps are being undercoated.

The rebuilding of the floor in the large MOD warflat wagon continues outside. Stu in discussion with Trevor and Ben.

Another large baulk of timber to cut to fit by Simon.

Rod sands a replacement section of internal windowframe for the Cotswold side 

toilet compartment in SO 4798. I believe the existing section is not in the best of condition even though it was varnished. A case of second thoughts - if we are to make 4798 into a first class coach, things have to be right!

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Thursday

Over to me now for photos of Thursday's activities. 

Happy Birthday Paul W! No such thing as dieting in C & W. Just join in and enjoy it all.

More work with the weedspraying wagon that was done on Wednesday. The floor planks are in turn being removed and coated in non-slip floor paint.

The first of the removal side sections on the Cotswold side.

More metal delivered for the weedspraying wsgon.

The painting on the underframe on the Malvern side now completed by Tony.

Richard exiting RBr 1675 via the "grand entrance" having completed the fitted out the kitchen and pantry with soap and paper towel dispensers, etc. 

The kitchen and pantry looking very impressive.

New rubbish and recycle bins in the servery.

That's it - finished! Just the final fitness checking to do. 1675 goes into Rake 1 in time for the November Race Meet.

Two rakes, hence two ladders, with just Alan from the Indoor gang doing internal repairs and Paul doing the post gala cleaning.

And talking of cleaning, the two bogies extracted from underneath the GUV are being power washed by Tony. I approached with care as Tony gave me a large grin - it must have been tempting but I had already had my shower!

The wood supports for SO 4798's heater covers now ready having had two coats of varnish.

John in conversation with Phil with respect to the compartment heating radiator removed from BSK 34929.

Hoorayyyy! The colour comes back to RMB 1876 with Bob undercoating the gutter panel on the Cotswold side of RMB 1876.

Thanks to Ainsley and Phil we are making great progress with the roof painting on 1876.

Jeff joins Bob with the Cotswold side gutter panel undercoating. The colour is Express Red - very vivid but very good under Crimson, and better than the Madder we use under Maroon.

A bit later and Bob has started the main cream undercoating.

A look at the end of the day at the Malvern side of the roof, with the first six panels and centre now with two coats of MIO. That does look good!

Looking in the opposite direction with what has so far been achieved with one coat. All the Cotswold side has also had a single coat.

Closing up for the day. A look at the Cotswold and Malvern sides of 1876 respectively.

Not many days left in our main running season and another chance to enjoy P & O running before she disappears for her refurbishment.

Up close and personal with Betton Grange.

With a good sharp exhaust beat Betton pulls away with our admiring group enjoying the spectacle.

Couldn't resist another photo of TSO 5023 now at the end of the rake.