Tuesday 21st - Gala prep, here we go again

With the Diesel Gala rapidly approaching it's time to begin preparing the Works for what we hope will be a successful weekend. At least the weather on the Saturday and Sunday is predicted to be a little cooler.

Although we have finished the refurbishment of SO 4798, there are always the last few small touches needed. Richard went round cleaning the doorway striker plates, did a few other small bits of snagging, and top coated in gloss black a small length of skirting in the south vestibule.

With the rebuild of the kitchen in the GW Inspection Saloon almost finished, Stu added the first coat of thinned varnished to the hardwood surfaces.

 

The improvement is quite striking. Before going any further I need to check with Simon about the light wood parts and new wall panelling.

With the dry weather seemingly endless and to avoid fire risk, it looks like we have gone to full diesel running with D6948 heading for Toddington with Rake 1.

In the Barn David is working on the Cotswold side of SK 25451, sanding and painting any bare metal with red oxide where necessary.

With BSK 35308 back in the running for a C&W refurb, Ian and Roger G. are removing the old transfers.

Taking a break from his initial preparatory work on the Malvern side of TSO 4406, Dave has a good look at the very corroded south end corner. We've got a lot to do there.

On now to Gala preparation with Roger and Ian giving the Paintshop floor a very thorough vacuuming. The track troughs where accessible were also cleaned out.

Roger E. from the Indoor Gang appeared today and did a brilliant clean up of the Barn through route. Prior to this the two of us had a good general tidy up in here.

 

Roger then cleaned (as much as you can with these) a number of the chairs, which we place around the viewing area.

Richard helped me errect the chain barrier. Some of the advisory signage was also placed in position. A quantity of expired brake blocks provide good anchorage with some of the stands.

The final train of the day comes by. Class 24 24081 with Rake 2.

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Following a request from Andy Prothorough, the first photo of SO 4798 after it had first been brought into the Works.

Photo taken by Alex on 2nd March 2024

A post showing some of the highlights of 4798's lengthy refurbishment is being collated.