Tues 9th / Weds 10th - It's all coming together.

 Tuesday

A name in the making for SO 4798.  Alex will be back in on Saturday to continue his excellent work.

We are on the final stretch with the lining out with Richard taking care of the lower black band on the Malvern side.

Job done! Thanks Richard.

Next job is to get the tops of the droplights black glossed.

David began the removal of the masking tape from the windows on the Cotswold side.

Ken attaches another table support. These are being positioned lower, with the screws going into the internal z bar and therefore very much stronger.

Some of the supports previously painted are of the quick release type, which enabled tables to be removed easily for football specials. Ken managed to source the type really required, but first a little cleaning up with a grinder was required.

Ian followed on with the black Hammerite.

Some of the table legs were a bit shorter and had to be built up.

A combination of wood dyes and a coat of varnish soon had this sorted too.

The grab handles were cleaned up by Ian ready for repainting.

On to progress with the Mink D van. Maurice is cleaning up some of the door hinges. 

These took some removing, but once the old paint and rust was removed, they were coated in green primer. Another part of the brake mechanism was also done.

[Photo : Paul E]

Robert and Chris are beginning to make one of the door frames using hard wood.

Some more undercoating in progress with the door removed.

[Photo : Paul E]

Paul removes paint from the roof planks.

In the Barn David uses white spirit to clean the cut out rivet line on the Cotswold side of SK 25451.

More painting for Ian in the form of chocks (yellow), toilet backs for 4798 (dark grey undercoat), connection straps (black gloss) and two panels in another coat of varnish.

A problem with the steering on this recently acquired trolley meant the removal of the front wheel set.

[Photo : Paul E]  Phil gently warms up the obstinate nut and bolt.

Partial success with still a bit to go.

A new main support is required and is produced by Robert, which once the centre hole is further bored to fit, is coated in Creosolve.

I'm often cutting rag in Upholstery where there are nice clean tables. The Paintshop trestles are usually too dusty, and there is a danger of accidentally picking up drops of paint or varnish.

Being somewhat busy I hardly saw any trains. However I was able to capture 2807 with Rake 2 on its first return run from Cheltenham.

[Photo : Martin Dix]  It was generally a nice sunny day though we did have heavy showers much later on. Martin, who was working in the RBr again, captures the busy station from Rake 1 on a northbound run with "Manston" again in charge. The girl with the phone was probably photographing 2807 approaching with the Cheltenham train.

Across the yard from the Works, Rose's garden is flourishing with so much now growing.  Strawberries above and potatoes below.

Fennel, sweet peas and rhubarb.

A healthy crop of peas.

Pots and troughs literally crammed full.

The words on the compost very aptly describe it all.

I wonder where the various fruit trees will end up.

As usual a satisfying end of day photo before getting changed and climbing the stairs to the Mess Room for a final cup of tea. We can soon begin varnishing 4798.

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Wednesday

Many thanks to Gerry for again producing a great set of photos. I asked him to get some of Upholstery, in particular when hanging the curtains in 4798 and he came up trumps. 

Laura and Ceri attached the curtain hooks.

Ceri hanging these on the Cotswold side.

Eve with another set.

Now that does look good. Just the antimacassars when they arrive to place on the seat backs and that's it. I have booked another afternoon tea at the end of October, and could even be allocated to this very table.

All the curtains are in place. The remaining tables will soon be following.

Chris works on another seat cushion. Wonder where this is from.

Rod cleared the masking tape off all the remaining windows on the Cotswold side of 4798.

On board the Inspection Saloon, Neil is fitting the new doors to the kitchen units.

In complete contrast, Gerry and Bryan were underneath fitting the drainpipe from the sink. This was followed by the soakaway to the rear of the carriage.

Bryan uses the plasma cutter to shape some replacement sections of sheet metal for the corroded areas underneath some of the window corners on the Cotswold side of SK 25451.

Ainsley working on one of the door striker plates and locks on 25451.

Ben and Trevor with the Cotswold side south end door on 25451.