Tuesday 21st - The last plank

A lively day with a lot going on, though not everything was captured.

Starting with the large Mink D van, yes, this really is the last main plank, not counting the short planks for the doors (the planks for one door have already been made and painted). As previously mentioned, the top planks have been a real trial to fit correctly because of the roof beams and other protrusions. Paul and Maurice offer the plank up for yet another test fitting.

[Photo : Paul E]  Still a bit more to do, so back to the Woodshop for more adjustments.

Another test and then back yet again for a little more wood to remove. Could this be it?

Maurice is inserting a bolt. So yes, I think this could be it!

[Photo : Paul E]  It is! Well done both! The bodyside planks are finally in after a very long hard effort. 

It's the eight doors next - quite a big job. Jim from the Woodwork team has been to see Alex to discuss their making.

In the Barn Ken sets up the magnetic drill to continue preparing the main plate for the south corridor connection on BSK 35308.

We made some more very good progress with SO 4798's painting. Stu did a brilliant job, working from the Cotswold side north end he did all the cream top coating to the centre door ........

........ and then completed the south end, some of which had already been done.

Ian went round the coach top coating the solebar, both the side and underneath, the latter after cleaning with a wire brush and thinners. The Cotswold side had a second coat.

Richard also did a great job, getting the Malvern side cream undercoating completed, including the windows.

Derek has been diverted to repairs on the Shark ballast plough, so Keith took over the repainting of the repaired battery box cover for the Cotswold side. The back needed a good sanding to remove a lot of loose flakey paint. The cover for the Malvern side box is being rebuilt, while the box itself is also not in a good state, in particular the floor which is crumbling.

Stu finished off the cream top coating with the centre door. Bar the windows, and door sides and frames, the first top coat on this side is now complete.

Keith paints the interior of the Cotswold side battery box in white undercoat.

David does some more work on the south connection door, including some filling where needed.

With the filler setting, David transfers to adding Gloss Black to the inside of the connection.

Late in the day I  clambered up the scaffold to add another coat of Matt Black to the connection rain cover and  gloss the top of the south end, including the filler pipes.

At the end of the day the fully undercoated Malvern side .......

........ and top coated Cotswold side (bar the windows).

Today was the first day of the revised midweek timetable to allow the slip between Bishops Cleeve and Gotherington to be repaired. Richard and Keith watch the Bubblecar setting off back to Toddington and Broadway.

Betton Grange runs round Rake 1 to prepare for the return trip.

The Grange created a lot of interest for our travelling public throughout the day.  A few minutes ago there was a reasonable crowd at this end of the platform, many taking photographs, but all were now back on the train with the whistle about to be blown.

I quickly walked to the other end of the Works to catch the train going past. Stu watches as it passes by on its way back to Broadway.

I always love having lunch sat at the north end of the station, where you can enjoy the loco as it waits for departure time.