Monday 19th - Another Carriage Cleaning Year Completed.

 Nigel on his own in rake 2 at Winchcombe, as Rich is off with the dreaded Covid. Paul, Tim, Kath and myself on rake 1 at Toddington.

Tim was washing the Cotswold side of rake 1.

Temporarily on his own as Paul was multi-tasking helping to change gas bottles. (He is suitably qualified, one of several duties he covers)

As for the insides, plenty to keep Kath and myself busy.

Plenty more like this throughout the train.

Electric tools removed for the winter to keep them dry (the shed suffers from condensation) and a clean up.

It's been a mixed year for staffing, 2 new recruits but a number of others have dropped out so we will be appealing for more again next year!

337 carriage sides washed this year, compared to 299 last year. That was affected by Covid restrictions in the early part of the year. Plus Paul and Tim work in all weathers and only occasionally have helpers.

Seasons Greetings. We are back on March 6th.

Saturday 17th - The Final Countdown

 Just a week to go now, and it was still looking very Christmassy at Winchcombe on Saturday:

Bit of a novelty to see snow and leaves still on a few trees.

It's also the final countdown on CK 16221, it really is getting there now, hopefully it should leave the paintshop some time in January. Dave went round ticking off a number of small jobs, here a bit more black paint was needed around the corridor connection:

Jeff started varnishing the window frame son the Malvern side:

Alan was sorting out more tables to fit:

Steve and Simon were both hard at work fitting various other bits too:

I missed a picture of John and Laura in action today, but a look inside at the end of the day revealed several first class compartments looking virtually complete with the cushions in place along with the table:

Just some little details like steam heat control labels, mirrors and picture frames and it's there.

In the deep freeze AKA the barn, the dirty gang were continuing on the Elk. It was back up in the air again, this time to look at the brake mechanism:

Clive turns the now freed wheel while Ken looks underneath to see what it does:

Once it was lowered back in its bogies it was outside over the pit to connect everything back up, it's such a low vehicle this is the only way:

Inevitably I got a bit too close and was treated to a call of "Ah, we need an extra pair of hands!"

Just Maurice and myself on the other wagons in the works, initially Maurice undercoated the outside of the Vanfit doors:

Then moved onto cleaning up the end door hinges from the Mogo that I'd been removing:

John gave me a hand with this when some heat and brute force was required for a particularly stubborn bolt, and then drilled a missing hole in the end to take a split pin:

While I was re-cutting the threads, Kev was next to me polishing up this vacuum cylinder piston:

Saturday's blog is a little later than usual as I was on a guard's turn Sunday, so a few pictures from then to finish off with, Foremarke Hall passes with the early ECS with a fair bit of snow still around:

The other side of the tunnel the thaw was beginning to set in, aided by the drizzle:

It did give quite a good effect though for passengers coming from Cheltenham, you go through the tunnel to the North Pole and it's still all a blanket of white here!

On our 2nd trip, Foremarke again passes as as the light goes:

We had 4270, now on its final few days of its boiler ticket, the steam catching the light:

And at Cheltenham after dropping off our final passengers of the day:

If you want a final ride behind 4270 before it's withdrawn it's out every single day after Boxing Day until we close.

And finally, this is probably my last blog post before the 25th so I'd like to wish all our readers a happy and restful Christmas. I expect there'll be something covering activities during this week and there's usually a few of us hardy souls manage a day or two in-between Christmas and new year, but many thanks for your continued interest in what we do, write and photograph, it makes it all worthwhile. Have a good one!

Alex

Wednesday, Thursday 14th & 15th - Two rather cold days

 As the title suggests 'rather cold', in fact on our way in on Thursday the car thermometer registered -12C.

In the workshop the heater worked overtime to make it comfortable, although use of Oxy/Acetylene and Mig welding did help in providing a bit more warmth.

Our part of the Cotswolds certainly caught for it this time.

Not so much snow, just very very cold.

I assisted John H. in the removal of a serviceable hook assembly, it was persuaded with a very large spanner and a sledge hammer.

Meanwhile back in the luxury of a heated workshop, Colin looks surprised.

Geoff likewise is enjoying the warmth, he is busy setting the power saw for floor battens in 1675.

I know 1675 is taking the headlines on most blogs, this was the first action on Wednesday morning. What was left of the buffer plate was gas/axed, this left us with a lot of cleaning up.

This by far the safest and easiest way to lift the new plate into position. The plates are tailor made by South Devon Engineering, this being the second one we have done. They really make a first class job and fit perfectly.

Bryan and Rex are just making sure its in the right place before welding.

Bryan is notching the end to fit around the Z section. The outer edge must be spot on in line with the crash pillar, the repair piece will then line up perfectly vertical .... always the old saying measure twice, cut once.

John H. made it back to the workshop with the removed hook, a very cold metal mass.

Thursday, our second full on day .....

The first event being the arrival of a container, which will become home for our electricians, Richard 1 and Richard 2 and Steve of course.

Its new home.

An impressive piece of artwork on the delivery truck.

First job for the metalwork team, start fitting the repair crash pillars. These clamps make it much easier to get them lined up.

Gerry is making roof repair panels, Rex has now moved along the vehicle and welds them in situ.

I am not sure what these are off, but Ken is cleaning threads on some large bolts .... its always busy in this part of the workshop.

I dashed through to the paint shop before they all started work, Jeff and Phil with woolly hats and gloves.

Bob K. sanding and getting ready for another coat of varnish on 16221.

Its all woolly hats today, even I had one on. Ainsley and a door from 1675.

Roger making yet another door panel.

We have recently acquired two old lockers for welding and metalwork consumables, Derek Kindly offered to make some extra shelves.

Gerry and Rex bending roof panels, and doing a great job.

I'm not sure what this wagon is called, (This is the Elk! -Ed.) but that's where the previously mentioned hook is going with assistance from Ian S. 

A reminder of the view from the back door.

A view of The North Pole aka. Winchcombe.

Finally, Phil and Jeff applying varnish to 16221.

It was a bit frantic getting round everyone, but I think I have mentioned all.

It will be another 2 day slog next week, watch this space.