THE WOODWORK TEAM Updated : 18th November 2024
The Woodwork team have a well-equipped workshop on the ground floor of the
Bill Ellesmere building and have 10 members at present with varying skills and
abilities. We are always looking for new volunteers as there is a large
amount of woodwork within a carriage and we always have a very high workload
(and backlog to catch up on!). During a carriage restoration, we attempt to
re-use as many items as possible but more often than not we tend to manufacture
replacement components inhouse using hardwood, softwood or veneered panels.
Whilst much of our work is hidden from view (structural/first fix), all passengers
get to see the final finish which we take a great pride in (and receive many
compliments!). We also get involved in wagon restoration and often assist
other departments on the railway with wood based builds.
Members of the
team can be found in attendance on any of our four working days.
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Current members
Robert
David D.
Simon
Tom
Marcus
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Previous members
Eddie Paddon joined C&W in July 2001 and retired as Head of Woodworking in February 2021. In his own words:
"When I started on woodwork I was just one
of the boys mucking in on whatever, and as time progressed I found myself becoming responsible and developing a team,
plus the machine shop".
He has a wealth of experience and knowledge and will be a very hard act to follow. He has very kindly said he will always be available for consultation.
Steven Barnfield joined C&W and the Woodwork Team in 2006. Right from the start he showed the Department his skills and the excellent standards he could achieve with all his work. Sadly Steven has resigned after 18 years, a great loss to both the Department and the Railway in general. He will be more than welcome should he wish to return.
Dave Ward joined C&W in year 2000. He had a lifelong interest in woodwork and had been a qualified woodwork teacher. He joined because he thought his interest would be of use to the Department, which it certainly was. Unfortunately Dave had to retire in 2018 due to health issues.
Dave Rogers had been with the Railway and a member of Woodworking for very many years. He was very involved with the rebuilding of the Great Western Horsebox, working with Dick G. another former member of the team on this lengthy project which took a number years to complete. Sadly Dave passed away in 2019 and Dick, who had long retired, in 2020.
Colin Pierce - Colin joined us from Building Services (now Construction & Maintenance) and when with them was very much inolved with setting up all the stud walling, door frames and doors in the Bill Ellesmere Building. At 91 when he retired he was the second oldest member on the Railway and one half of the "Chuckle Brothers" as named by Nick, our Wednesday blogger.
Geoff - the other half of Nick's "Chuckle Brothers"
Tony Baker (Indoor Gang) - sadly we lost Tony from cancer in September 2022, literally weeks after his final visit. He had been with the Indoor Gang for many years before having to stand down when his treatment started, though he was able to make the occasional day with us. He is much missed.
Pat Niblett (Indoor Gang) - another long time and skilled team member, he took on other volunteering work after the pandemic. He is much missed.
Richard Pratt - for health reasons Richard had to retire from C&W to take on a less manual role and to focus on his other volunteering roles in the Safety Dept. and with the GWR Trust.
Richard was a valuable member of the woodwork team and also the departmental Safety Representative.
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Some large projects done by the team
The Broadway Cafe counter and display unit in the making and being transported by rail to Broadway Station
The two platform trolleys completely rebuilt by Derek
The new seating and disabled area in BSK 34929
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The team have many requests, some rather unusual !
Geoff tests the sleigh for the Santa Special season at Winchcombe Station, after which it came into the Paintshop for painting in seasonal colours. Our visiting children loved it !
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Finally a trip down Memory Lane
Eddie giving a talk during one of our Public Open Weekends.
How we used to be before we had the Bill Ellesmere building and the spacious Woodwork and Doors shop. The woodwork area was a cramped space under the Workshop mezzanine.
