Saturday 22nd - Not quite enough rain

A slightly cooler day but despite the small amount of rain we had during the week, still not enough to go back to steam. It was touch and go and the call was left to the last minute as everyone was hoping we'd have a bit more of the damp stuff - spare a thought for those having to make the difficult decisions; we all want to go back to running steam as soon as it's safe and it's not easy balancing everything.

So to 25451, and Phil was in and harnessed up on the high wire on roof scraping duties. Not a glamorous or fun job up there in the heat, so well done Phil.

The pink dust was from Ian, continuing his mission to flat the sides back fully, which he completed today on the Malvern side, sterling job.

George was in too and captured by Paul tidying up some door edges.

Paul also caught me batoning and trimming the Malvern side of the canvas on the Mink D. The remaining jobs are getting fairly slim on the ground now bar the doors.

Still a couple of days of roof painting to go though, Maurice and Paul behind the lens applying the first coat following on from me

Later on Maurice went round touching up the dark grey where we'd caught it with bits of other paint splashes.

We're well stuck into TSO 4867 now. Andy and John were looking at removing the next window frame.

While Robert and Chris were investigating the floor.

This bit needs replacing.

James was cracking on with the metalwork, removing half the North end baseplate here

Pausing for the picture, here cutting a new baseplate in half for its replacement.

Various big bits removed from the coach, mostly for keeping!

With 4867 now front and centre downstairs the upholstery started a couple of years ago is continuing apace, back in the lovely blue horse chestnut leaf.

I think there was a bit more varnishing going on in the inspection saloon by Bob today, but I missed him in action. Have a picture of it anyway. Maybe some fresh varnish in frame? I didn't dare touch to test!

With the slightly cooler weather it was a bit more pleasant for Dave doing a bit of sanding on TSO 3961 removing the graffiti. Or is he just keen to reveal the blue of the blue and grey livery?

Also out in the yard final snagging for SO 4798. Phil on fixtures and fittings...

And Dave on missed bits of varnishing. A change in lighting reveals all sorts of bits easily missed.

I had a couple of signwriting projects to do in the afternoon. Paul captured me at the laptop quickly doing the templates as I hadn't got round to doing them at home.

And the finished articles - on one side at least anyway. One for Broadway, one for Toddington, hence the different styles.