Sat 10th / Sun 11th - Gala Weekend

The previous mixed Autumn Galas have been successful, so how would we fare with this one?

Saturday

The positioning train heads south behind 3850 to pick up its first passengers at Cheltenham. Sone great steam and smoke effects in the low sunlight.

We had possibly the largest group of gala monitors ever for Saturday. L to R : Keith, Richard, David, Ian, Pam, Jeff (who just slipped into the line up and was actually in to work), Eve and Nick. Would we get plenty of visitors to keep us all busy?

Chris and Robert setting up the Wadkin saw to cut more internal window framing.

The Cotswold side centre door frame on TSO 4867 is in a bit of of state, hence John's need to remove the handle.

Andy and Clive adding new steam heating pipe insulation under the GW Inspection Saloon.

In the viewing area outside the Barn, Dennis reattaches the chain across the roadway, having let through one of PWay's vehicles.

[Photo : Paul E] With the Mink D van now out in the yard pending the construction of the eight doors, Maurice and Paul are helping Derek with some of the post repair repainting on the Shark Ballast Plough. Maurice cleans off some of the old transfers and paint.

[Photo : Paul E]

Back to John who is now removing the veneer panelling and beading from the back of the doorframe on 4867.

Jeff adding wood dye to the latest batch of inner window framing, necessary because once again the sapele is of a lighter shade than the original large batch.

We will soon be losing the Black 5, so many of us are making the most of seeing it when passing through Winchcombe. It does look good on Rake 2.

It's really good to see Pam back and hopefully soon returning to her old regular attendance. As for galas she is in her element looking after our four legged visitors.

George returns to his rivet line cleaning. This is a really useful job and a great help as the more we can get done with bodyside prep in the Workshop, while all the other reconstruction is going on, the better.

Phil applies a little warmth to a stubborn nut on this electrical connector.

The day started quietly with respect to our visitors, so a chance to enjoy a sit down for David, Pam and Ian. Works monitoring during galas can be most enjoyable, greeting and chatting to our visitors, and answering the many questions, but you are on your feet for much of the time so a sit down occasionally is most welcome.

Robert cutting more floor edging for 4867.

Simon and Chris making adjustments to the bandsaw.

Back to John yet again, now cutting out the corroded metal.

A visit to Upholstery where Carol and Laura are attaching the canvas undercover to another of the bench seats.

Eve talks to the current group of visitors to Upholstery. Whether during guided tours or adhoc gala visits, Upholstery continues to be one of the most interesting parts of C& W for our visitors. On guided tours where time is limited, it can be quite a job getting the group out of Upholstery and round the rest of the Works. I have often joked that I could leave the group there for the whole hour and they would be quite happy!

The spirit wood dye dries very quickly, enabling Jeff to proceed with the first coat of varnish. All the window frame sections are completely coated twice - very important with respect to moisture from condensation, etc.

Bob paints "Express Red" undercoat on the gutter section on the Malvern side of SK 25451.

Visitors viewing progress with 25451 as well as looking at all the displays along the Paintshop wall.

A later return to see how Laura and Carol are with progressing the bench seat. The main cover is now going on. To conserve the prime Trojan moquette, some spare unused moquette has been attached on the back part of the seat, which will be hidden from view when refitted in the coach.

I returned in the afternoon to cut up a sheet and some pillowcases for the Paintshop rag bin (Upholstery have nice clean work tables) and while there was asked to give a hand with the initial pulling tight of the back section of the moquette. Special grips enable this. While Laura and I pulled the moquette as tight as possible, Carol quickly inserted several staples. After this initial bit had been attached, Laura was able to do the rest on her own while Carol secured each pulled section. This latest batch of refurbished bench seats are from one of the Rake 3 coaches; I think it is SK 24949.

Catching up with Bob and the Malvern side of 25451, he had completed the gutter section down to where the high scaffold is currently sitting, and was well into undercoating the between window panels.

Ian explaining to our visitors the work done on the van in the photo display.

Tony paints the cleaned and serviced vacuum cylinder in Black MIO.

Pam and David watch 2807 slowly running along Platform 2 with the goods train, where it will wait for the double header from Toddington.

The Great Western freight set (almost) is quite something now. That blue Gulf Oil tank is something else!

There was a cold moderate breeze today, so standing by 2807 and enjoying the warmth was very pleasant.

The double header with 45110 and "Betton Grange" approaches.

With tokens exchanged and whistle blown, 2807 heads back to Toddington.

Overall a very good day.

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Sunday

Back in early to open up through access in the Workshop and Barn (both are closed to visitors on gala Saturdays when we are working, though viewing can be done from behind the barriers).

Pam and I watch the early train come by with some more great smoke effects.

The giant sign on the side of the Workshop.

Opening up Upholstery I noticed the lovely Silver Horsehestnut Leaf moquette being used to recover these seats, which I believe are from TSO 4867.

2807 passes with another Cheltenham train.

It's the Black 5 again on the goods train. No way am I missing this! Wish we could keep this wonderful engine, one of the famous last day 15 Guinea Special locos that ran on 11th August 1968.

Is that Alex in the Queen Mary van?

Later in the day the goods returns behind 3850, with Bryony in her firing role looking after the engine. The train was on a layover for 30 minutes.

Next over the footbridge to view the train from above.

I love the view from the bridge, especially on a nice sunny day. The curve of the line, the whole station setting with the Works in the background, and that wonderful backdrop of the Cotswold escarpment.