Thursday 10th - Still battling on

With yet another very hot day hitting us, thankfully most of the activities were indoors. I did feel for Paul and Alan who were working inside the Rake 4 coaches in the yard - even with windows open and the entry door it would still be uncomfortable.

Many thanks to Paul for the extra photos.

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First to answer a query from Tuesday's posting

David PJuly 9, 2025 at 8:18 PM

Do the bogie frames and coach underframes frames ever get shot blasted and painted? The end of the returned bogie shown looks like it is need of some TLC.

Yes this is occasionally done with grit and the contractor follows this up with anti-corrosive primer. This is when we paint the visible parts of the bogies, otherwise it would take too much effort to try and clean them up for painting. Occasionally we will paint other parts under the sole bar, but only if they have been gritblasted and primed, or are not too dirty and can be easily cleaned.

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It's always pleasant walking along the platforms, especially when the garden areas look like this.  The WSMD do a great job!

Back to TSO 5023 and the continuing prep work. With the Malvern south corner completed Maurice applies the light grey undercoat.

Martin concentrated on the north end on the same side.

A refurbished and repainted vacuum cylinder, hoisted up and ready to be fitted under the Malvern side of 5023.

Stu assists John with the removal of the existing cylinder.

With the refurbished cylinder fitted John tightens everything up.

Maurice has now moved onto the adjacent door.

A shot at the end of the day of the Cotswold side of the coach almost fully greyed up. The centre door just needs the upper half completing. 

The Malvern side is also beginning to look a lot better    

Paul and Richard taking a break and watch the trains crossing. The timetable today is for steam on Rake 1 and diesel on Rake 2. The next day it was announced that all the trains will be diesel hauled over the weekend because of the fire risk with this endless dry weather.

Phil services the inside mechanism of a coach lighting controls.

"Hey, who's nicked my steps?!". They were briefly borrowed to gain access to the RBr.

Over now to the Rake 4 coaches where Paul is cleaning inside BSKD 34929.

The toilet compartment's plumbing.

[Photo : Paul]  The overhead tank was filled to check if it was still leaking. Unfortunately it was and drips appeared around the vestibule ceiling light fitting. There was also a visible outpouring, which can just be seen.

[Photo : Paul]  The toilet compartment had been locked out of use, so needed a very good clean.

[Photo : Paul]

[Photo : Paul]

The north end connection sliding door on SK 24804 needed some attention from Alan.

The MICA van with the Cotswold side locking bar now in place.

My last job of the day was to add the first coat of varnish to the very nicely repanelled Cotswold side toilet compartment in SO 4798. This will need another 2-3 coats and the veneer will really glow.

Wednesday 9th - Just a few

 The makings of a very hot day, with the weedkiller wagon outside a small band made a start on the door frames and steps,

Bob is working on anchoring the floorboards  ......

...... Meanwhile Rex worked with Bryan, working out the new door frames and ladder/handrail fixings.

Here they are cutting suitable lengths of angle for the door frame uprights.

...... After many attempts, it was decided the plasma cutter has finally given up ...... a new machine seems the only answer. To be fair they can save a fortune in cutting discs.

Other work involved, a couple of patches on 4798, Gerry made them and I welded them in place.

Rod was working on the same vehicle fitting window surrounds.

Ken working on corridor connectors .....

Bob making parts for the weedkiller wagon ( VAN WIDE)

Another outside job which keeps giving, we use a water tank at Winchcombe for steam galas, It is old and is showing its age and after much plating which has helped, it still delivers pin holes. Maybe a plastic tank would be the answer eventually. Once again Gerry prepped it ready for welding.

Richards 1 & 2 were very busy moving on with fitting up RBr 1675 ........

Up in upholstery, Chris is using the over locker for the DFR contract .....

...... Ceri is sewing together pieces of moquette for the seat backs for DFR .......

....... Laura is cutting out a new design for cushions, which will eventually be for sale ......

....... Eve is finishing the first cushion in the new design, they don't let the grass grow.

Laura and Ceri are starting work on a new outside contract seat set.

Gerry was away last week in Italy, he has supplied a few pics entitled Italy C&W .....

Many thanks to Gerry and Eve for the photos.

Tuesday 8th - A very welcome visit

A busy day with 12 attending, and in particular a special day with a visit we were very much looking forward to.

Progress on TSO 5023 continues to be good with much of the Cotswold side now greyed up.

David works on the centre doorway adding some fibre paste at the left side bottom section for greater strength.

With all the sanding down and any filling completed, Maurice greyed up the south door.

On the Malvern side Jeff greyed up the unpainted windows on the south half of the coach.

Ian completed the sanding and cleaning up of the north end. Bar the two filled areas we may as well go straight into glossing this end when all the other prep work is completed on the coach.

With all the centre door and frame repairs completed David vacuums the centre vestibule and step.

Ian had moved round to the Malvern side and completed the general sanding down of the old paintwork at the north end.

Moving up to the MICA van where Paul is attempting to remove a corroded bolt from one of the north end buffers.

The job was a particularly trying one and all attempts at removal came to nothing. The solution will probably be to try some heat on Saturday.

In the Woodshop Chris and Robert were preparing more sections of internal window frame for TSO 4867.

The specially made routing jig very much in use.

Today's production now on the Paintshop trestles with the backs, sides and ends given a good coat of varnish for damp proofing. The top sides will be varnished on Thursday.

A real treat today was the visit by Stu, our much missed member of the Painting Team, being heartily greeted by Keith, Paul and Maurice. While waiting for a delayed operation on one of his heals, Stu had gone out on his motorbike and was involved in an accident (not his fault). He is now able to get out and about, so we were delighted when he said he would be visiting during the day.

Paul captured Stu and myself discussing his progress, when he is hopes to return and what he will be able to do. In the meantime he hopes to keep in touch and visit us once a month. I suggested we should have a train ride on his next visit.

Keith primes two cleaned up parts of the vacuum braking system from FO 3127.

Keith coats in black gloss the new number plates for the Open C wagon and MICA van, and the two data plates for TSO 5023.

The two bogies that were sent to St Philps Marsh, Bristol were returned today, the wheel sets now nice and shiny having been turned and reprofiled.

I forgot to ask John which coach will be having these fitted.

While out in the yard, a quick photo of the weed spraying vehicle with the heavy plank floor now in place. Presumably the metal frame will be primed and painted before the planks are secured.

P & O and 2807 were on duty today. This is P & O's final season of running before it's major overhaul. Meanwhile it will be off to the Severn Valley Railway in September.

And mentioning galas, time to get our Gala monitors list up on the board with the Diesel Gala rapidly approaching. As usual during galas Pam will be providing the treats for our four legged visitors.