Saturday 18th - Watching and waving

Yet another very warm day, but we still had a good number attending.

Quite a group taking a break to watch the first train of the day hauled by "Betton Grange" on its way back up the line. 

In Upholstery Peter and Jane add the finishing pieces of moquette to this refurbished seat cushion from SK 25451.

Laura makes another of the wonderful door stops. This is a really inspired idea, along with the key rings and bookmarks, to use up small offcuts of moquette.

When I first saw this particular moquette laid out on one of the tables my reaction was somewhat mixed. Having seen it as a cushion and now as a doorstop, I think it looks great!

Stripped seat frames (backs and cushions) from TSO 4867, which is now back in the queue for a full restoration.

[Photo : Gerry] Two photos that Gerry sent me that I missed adding to Wednesday's post. Nick repairs one of the seat bases from 4867.

[Photo : Gerry]

[Photo : Bryony]  An on-train job for Robert and Chris this morning was to secure a loose ceiling panel in TSO 4772.

Now back to sorting out the new door liner for BSK 35308.

More trial fitting of this complex item.

And more change to original plans. BSK 35308 is now going to replace BSO 9000, which has been our brake coach in Rake 1 since 2009. It is now 9000 that will be going to the Diesel Shed for repainting in blue & grey. The Diesel Dept are aware of the change. The little bar that we built in 9000 when it was initially restored will be an asset for future running in the mini set of blue & grey coaches.

Out in the Barn George continues the general sand down on the Malvern side of SK 25451.

Bob joins him, but on the Cotswold side to do some hand sanding.

Later in the day Graham also got going on the same side, his work on SO 4798 completed.

At the south end James does some further welding on his repaired roof corner.

Alan meanwhile is making repairs to the end of the roof. 

A different job for Andy is repairing a number of heras fence panels that have been stacked up in the yard - not sure by who, perhaps Construction & Maintenance or Lineside?

After the welding repairs, a clean up with an angle grinder.

And then a break to wave at our passengers, who were eagerly waving back. It was quite noticeable today how many responded to our waving. Perhaps like us, thankful that the worst of the heatwave is over.

Jenny once again doing a great job cleaning our Mess Room.

John produces many items for us on the lathe and milling machine, this time making some new door catches.

Simon and Tom have made a new shelf for the kitchen in the GW Inspection Saloon. With the shelf and supports fitted, they are now securing the front section with wood dowels.

With the dowells gently hammered in as far as they will go, they are very carefully trimmed.

The end result is perfection. An excellent job.

Following on from Gerry's photo on Wednesday, the replacement wall panel fitted by Mike in the saloon's corridor.

Another of the Behind The Scenes tours was held today. This is the All Railway one which takes in the Toddington sheds, a signalbox and Carriage & Wagon. Dave led the Carriage & Wagon section for the six members, the maximum number for this type of tour. The next tour on August 8th is the Carriage & Wagon version and is a sell out.

Andy and Bob wave as the Bubblecar gathers speed on its way back to Toddington. This is an excellent vehicle for a shuttle service and very pleasant to travel in.

Dave, later joined by Bob, doing some intial prep on the Malvern side of TSO 4406, one of our recent acquisitions.

Two altered station sandwich boards being prepared by Alex, who will be doing the signwriting. 

On to the next job. Adding the large G W to the Cotswold side of the Mink D van. We have a number of large hardboard templates for various letters. I used to enjoy doing these in my early days with C & W.

Gleaming 3850 is admired as it passes with Rake 2 on another southbound run.

Now on to SO 4798 and the final stages of its refurb in the Paintshop. Ian touches up a few minor bits on the Cotswold side of the bogies.

Meanwhile the cleaning of the Malvern sides is being finished off prior to painting by Andy, and below Graham and Martin.

Jenny gave the two refurbished toilet compartments a final clean. The new varnished veneer panelling looks really nice and certainly fits in well with the upgraded status of this coach.

[Photo : Roger]

Returning later to see the painting of the north end bogie being completed by Andy and Ian. 

Well, that's it. Finished. It has been a long haul but well worth the effort and a fine display for our Gala visitors next weekend.

After the Gala, SK 25451 comes into the Paintshop and we start all over again.

Finally we were very sorry to hear about Paul of St Blazey's little dog. A number of us have lost our pets in the past year, including myself, so we know what it's like. Paul is always very complimentary about our work, which is very much appreciated by us all in C & W.