Saturday 21st - Another new arrival

 It's been a little while since I've had time to either take photos or a Saturday or then write it up on a Sunday. There was still plenty going on today but having spent the last month doing a side of a coach every day I was in, it was nice to do some other bits!

Starting on the RMB then which fast approaches completion ready for the start of the main running season in a couple of weeks. Dave did a bit more painting at the North end on the gangway connection.

Dave captured me doing a bit more lettering where I couldn't get to last time.

A final clean inside the main saloon from Jenny.

The last big job to do on this coach is fitting the toilets, which couldn't be done until the new flooring was in. So its all hands to the pump. Phil doing some of the plumbing in the access cupboard.

Roger on overtime rate (Lots of "Is it Thursday?") to help fit the sink.

Having done a grand job fitting all the doors last week, some last few bits of trim to fit for Simon.

A bit of adjustment on the South end gangway door by Robert, due to the thick coir matting fitted the door didn't quite align with the locks on the jamb.

Another welcome arrival today, in the form of the bubblecar out on test. It was great to see it out and about after so many years of nearly there, doing a few training shuttles for crew familiarisation. There was some debate as to whether this counted as an ECS or LE move, answers on a postcard.... A few little gremlins to sort out but all being well it should be in service from 7th March.

There's still a lot of shunting to do, Clive and Ian were busy putting rake two back together. Just the RMB to slot in when we finish it now, no pressure! The maroon coach on the end there should be the final maroon coach in an otherwise all crimson & cream rake this year.

There was a lot of bogie activity in the barn today, Andy, Andy and Richard here fitting and greasing various bits of brake rigging.

Ian and Tony do similar with the other frame, Stuart supervising :-)

While John was changing axleboxes. I'm so out of practice I forgot to ask what these bogies were for. Possibly 4798?

Speaking of, 4798 also received a bit more attention today, Dave did a bit more sanding at the beginning of the day.

Later taken over by George who brought the filler down too. I think we're going to get through a far bit on this coach, it's very lumpy in areas and will need some quite large skims to get it looking good. Anyone experienced in plastering please do apply!

I spent most of my day underneath the Mink D crawling around in what is now quite a considerable pile of dirt I've previously scraped off the underframe. Today was a day of refitting brake bits though.

Now how did these bits go together again?... Good job I took some before photos. Still a few bits to take off and clean, but the best way to avoid losing and mixing up parts is to fit them back on ASAP.

More plank painting for Maurice, just a few stragglers to finish off the top planks. I missed Paul and Maurice later bringing the main Malvern side panel up a few more planks.

Weds 18th /Thurs 19th - Tables, toilets and a wifi

Wednesday

Many thanks to Gerry for the day's photos.

Beginning with Bryan drilling holes in the new 

panel for the bottom door hinge and section of  capping strip on the Cotswold side of SO 4798.

Trevor was working on the latest door from BSK 35308, which is currently in the Barn.

Simon working in the Malvern side toilet compartment in RMB 1876. .

Ken working on a vacuum cylinder interior part.

A recently acquired bogie being overhauled by John and Ian ............

......... and later being cleaned up and painted with Black MIO by Russ.

The GW inspection saloon arrives at Winchcombe having been brought down from Toddington by 26043.

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Thursday

Thanks to Roger for the extra photos.

A lot of progress was made RMB 1876, and it needs to be as our running season gets ever closer.

With the marmoleum laying completed by Bob and Pete on Wednesday, we could now reinstate the tables.

Alan securing a table wall fixing in the south compartment.

Roger dives underneath to secure the first table at the north end of the coach.

[Photo : Roger]  Ensuring the legs are tightly fitted.

[Photo : Roger]

[Photo : Roger]  The south compartment completed. We can now get the seat cushions back in place.

[Photo : Roger]  Judging by the reflections and the gleam, the fresh coat of varnish on all the woodwork was really worth doing.

Bob returned to the freshening up of 1876's store cupboard. The Silver Grey top coat is strained through a piece cut from old tights - not Bobs! :-) When top coating there's nothing better than a brand new brush!

By the time I photo'd Bob painting he was well on the way to completing the top coating of the grey area. The ceiling had already been done.

Bob's final job was to add another coat of varnish to the shelving. They should now be easier to keep clean. All that's left to do in here is tidy up and re-secure some of the aluminium beading.

Next door in the servery Richard I is in the process of setting up the wifi for the card machine.

Richard II ensures the new chiller unit is firmly seated and doesn't wobble with the slightly uneven floor.

If Richard I has to get under the coach I always seem to capture him. Some jobs offer no option when some cabling needs securing.

The new wifi in place. Still some work to do, but the setting up looks to be well in hand.

Wow, that toilet bowl looks brand new! Paul is doing a brilliant job with the cleaning.

Phil has hip problems and as such has had to miss a few days. However knowing we needed to get the toilet compartments in 1876 rebuilt, he has very kindly returned so as we get the job done. 

It was good to see the lights in both compartments reinstated and the sink going back in the Malvern side.

Tim, our new Painting team member, did a variety of jobs, one of which was to tidy up more bits of paintwork on 1876. 

The back of the main battery box cover for the Cotswold side of the coach was given a fresh top coat.

Stu connected up the gauge and vacuum pump to check the braking system, another essential job.

Moving on to SO 4798, the backs of the toilet doors needed further attention from Tim.

The first load of grey is on the Cotswold side, but the next stage with the secondary filling has only just begun.

It wasn't long before chalk marks littered the lower areas. We have an awful lot to do to make all this better, especially because the base of every window had to have new sheet metal replacement. The bumps and troughs are clearly visible.

The rivet line is no exception and as such Phil tackled this first.

The thorough sanding of the new filler completed with 240 paper (which renders the surface beautifully smooth), is followed by another brushing with the undercoat Light Grey.

And so the process goes on. Meanwhile we must get the north half of the Cotswold side finished and greyed up.