Having missed out on woodworking a number of times, it's good to give the Tuesday team of Chris and Robert plenty of coverage, especially with all the current preparation of the internal window frames for TSO 4867. It's going to be quite a coach when completed with all the external rebuilding and conversion to provide more accessible facilities.
When entering the Woodwork shop they were in the process of passing the part completed frame bases through the thicknesser planer.
Chris was sending each one through with Robert receiving them.
Each frame is passed through a number of times until the correct width is obtained. Robert carefully checks the width to decide whether this one needs another pass.
Yes, one more pass should do it.
The group of completed ones ready for the next stage.
The solid planks are now being passed through.
These are split down the middle to provide the frame side pieces.
Now for the final stage in the base frame preparation. Robert sets up the router with the required cutter.
The solid plank is used as a stable base to ensure the router moves correctly along while cutting. Chris carefully follows with the vacuum cleaner pipe.
Having watched the start of the router cutting I returned to the Paintshop. Chris later appeared to show the completed frame base.
The pile of completed frames which were later brought into the Paintshop for varnishing.
On to the next job which is one to help out our Signal & Telegraph department. Robert is creating some back supports for some instruments, a sample of which is shown.
With no Mink D van jobs left for Maurice and Paul, Maurice helps out with the clean up of the north end headstock and buffers on SK 25451.
Ainsley is back on the scaffold tower, completing the clean up of the Cotswold side of 25451's roof ready for painting this final section.
David was back at the south end doing a range of jobs which included more filling, adding paintable sealant where required, and an initial clean of the connection sliding door. The latter is particularly dirty with the coach having been at the south end of the rake and hence directly behind the engine on the southbound runs.
We are still finding areas to flat down, the main concentration being the lower panel. Roger tackles the Cotswold side north end.
Ainsley is now completing the initial painting of this side of the roof. The roof will receive two coats of the Light Grey MIO.
Now back to the south end and the Malvern side, beginning with the scraping and sanding to remove loose and flakey paint.
David is concentrating on the base of the connection where the hole had been, smoothing the area with more filler.
I gave the Cotswold side south end (not including the corner section) an overall vacuuming, followed by a wipeover with thinners. Then on with the line tapes, using the special positioning gauge. There is a hook at the top of the gauge to enable it to be hung on the gutter both while applying the tape and when moving the steps and platform.
Keith top coats the spring clips from the Mink D van.
Later on the window frame bases are given the first coat of varnish.
Ken was working on the corridor connection at the north end of TSO 4867.
Dave clears some more of the old grafittied paint off the side of TSO 3961.
Plenty of corrosion under this window. We seem to be regularly removing windows now during full refurbs to repair the underlying panelling. No doubt 3961 will be the same when it eventually enters the Works.
With nothing to do with respect to wagons, Paul and Maurice kindly dug over Rose's vegetable patch. Rose does so much for us, it's lovely to be able help her in return.
Still plenty of runner beans and rhubarb to pick.
All growing well and making a great improvement to the area.
Quite a selection of birds and butterflies seen.
It was "Betton Grange" and 45110 on the trains again today.
With D6948 on the final Cheltenham train.
45110 heads back to Toddington with Rake 2.
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Finally I received this photo from Alex on Wednesday morning to say this is where he was working in his job with Network Rail. It is the little crossing box at St Mary's, Chalford on the Stroud - Swindon line and about a mile and a half from my home in Chalford Hill. Here the Golden Valley begins to squeeze together the A419 Stroud -Cirencester Road, the railway, the derelict Thames and Severn Canal, and the River Frome. There used to be a substantial halt here, complete with a footbridge, for use by the much missed Chalford Auto.
This is quite a coincidence. On Monday I was looking through some photos from almost 30 years ago and came across one of a painting I had done as an anniversary gift for my sister-in-law to give to her father who had been an engine driver based at Gloucester Horton Road shed. In his time there he had often driven the Chalford Auto.
St Mary's Crossing Halt is less than a mile away just around the bend. The train is about to go under the A419 roadbridge and into Chalford Station.
The painting is complete and about to be taken for framing. My sister-in-law was delighted and obviously so was I that she liked it, but I have to confess that I was sorry to see it go.
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