Monday 18th - End Of The Hot Weather?

 Today was a much more comfortable 21°C. First job was to walk through the train to see what was happening. This time we had rake 2 in platform 1 and rake 1 in platform 2. Both with the northernmost carriage ("A") on the platform.

So first to be found were Greg and Lynn.

At which point I told Lynn John M was not coming and she very kindly volunteered to do "his" toilet duty.

Next carriage found Nigel. He usually starts in an end carriage, but fancied a change. He found plenty to tidy!

Everyone else was in rake 1 so as John S was also missing (he usually uses a Ghostbuster) I went and got that and did rake 2. After that I joined the outside team on rake 2, as one of their regulars was also missing!

Here are Tim, Chris and Paul just finishing off. It was the first time in 8 weeks that they could clean this side of rake 1.

So that was it. The rest of the team today was Kath, Rich, Roger C, Steve and Val.

Day off next Monday as it is Bank Holiday and trains are running. 

Next Sunday is your last chance to see the Teddy Bears this year. Some pics from last week.

Bedtime!

Saturday 16th - Trundling on with progress

Another warm day in the works with good progress all round. I had a guard turn in the afternoon and evening so just a small selection of pictures.

Simon and Tom were working on the interior of the South end of 1876, initially stripping old insulation out.

The new floor will soon be going in.

Metal repairs at the North end still ongoing.

John primes the new fabricated base for the remaining flying saucer light in 1876. Pam was cleaning a table up, not sure for what.

[It does look like a table top, but is actually going to be an advice notice for use in Galas - Dave C.]

The weedkilling wagon is looking good.

A good discussion was had about new bearings for the Open C, meanwhile Paul carries on journal polishing.

Robert smoothed off the temporary wooden bearings just so we can get the wagon back on its wheels for a shunt soon.

Meanwhile Maurice cleaned up the replacement buffer and the last two axlebox bottoms.

James continued his repairs on the South end of 4798.

Onto 5023, Dave and I did the gold colour lining on the Malvern side following the excellent job Ralph did top coating on Thursday.

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Now winding the clock back to last Sunday, where we had an extra day progressing the tank wagon at Toddington, making use of the telehandler.

So first of all, off comes the tank.

Following a test fit into the steel channels, a bit of adjustment needed to the end timber baulks.

Job done, and fitted.

Dan and Mark prepare to bolt the second one in place.

Tank lowering back into position, will it fit?

It did, rather well. A major step forward, the tank doesn't need to be lifted again now, so we can fit tie rods, hoops, ladders etc, the end might finally be in sight!

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Lastly, if you're interested, a couple of shots from work this week where I've been on a bridge on the Golden Valley line near Kemble.

A nice old brick arch, with plenty of repairs to do all over. Night shifts are not my favourite....

But they can be quite atmospheric.

The Colas rail delivery train also trundled through our site on Tuesday night, with lights blazing, it was an impressive sight. 

Weds 13th/ Thurs 14th - Good progress

A two day posting with grateful thanks to Gerry for Wednesday's photos.

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Wednesday

Ken working on the north end corridor connection from RMB 1876.

Sanding one of the two wooden vertical supports for the connection.

Trevor working on the south end Cotswold side door of 1876.

Rod fitting another section of internal window frame on SO 4798.

Stu working on the piston from a vacuum cylinder.

The weed spraying wagon is progressing in leaps and bounds with our Metalwork gang doing a great job. The roof strengthening spars are now being added. Nick readies another section to be welded in .........

......... and then proceeds with the job.

The red block is a very powerful magnet, very useful for holding metallic items in place while being worked on.

Checking the result.

At the opposite end Bob is grinding the top to provide a clean surface for welding.

A bit of brute force is occasionally needed!

A gentler job for Bob, painting the corrugated roof sections in Light Grey MIO.

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Thursday

Both wooden buffer extension saddles had cracked and needed replacing - we have a stock of these we have ready made for such occasions. The twin securing bolts were also badly rusted and in a poor state. Alan warmed up the rusted bolts in an attempt to loosen them.

The ones on the Cotswold side were in a better state, so Geoff had a go with an adjustable spanner .........

....... but still no joy. Both sets were eventually extracted and new wooden saddles and bolts attached.

Alan and Jeff watch D6948 with the first train to Cheltenham. Full diesel running will no doubt continue while the hot dry spell continues.

We are making good progress with the repaint of TSO 5023 into crimson & cream. Martin begins flatting the Madder undercoat on the Cotswold side using 240 paper.

He is later joined by Jeff. I had also got stuck in, soon coating my hands in pink!

On the Malvern side Ralph, who we have on contract for a total of six days, uses a circular pad sander with vacuum attachment to flat the first coat of crimson top coat. This certainly made a good job.

Phil finishes the roof painting.

With the flatting of the bottom section on the Cotswold side completed, Bob begins adding the first top coat.

Martin does the same at the north end.

Phil is testing the electric circuitry at the south end of SO 4798.

The green light indicates all is well with this side of the coach.

As soon as he switches off inside the light turns red.

Now to check the opposite side.

Maurice cleans up the replacement buffer for the Open C wagon .......

....... and then coats it in red oxide.

Two of the axlebox covers are similarly treated. The buffer coil spring will also be done.

Gerry has the power saw preparing some angle iron for the weed spraying wagon.

Now to line it up and check the fit where it has to go.

The corrugated sheets for the wagon's roof now painted and ready to fit.

The Broadway train leaves with the other Class 37 37215 in charge. 

Derek fitting another repair to the Malvern side of the Monster van.

Some minor bits of painting were required at the north end of RBr 1675 which Jeff sorted out.

Cotswold side lower panel top coating complete, so why not do 5023's sole bar as well. Bob paints on the Gloss Black.

Ralph opens up another tin of Crimson ......

..... and then with some Painter's Friend (an excellent paint conditioner produced by T & R Williamson) added, proceeds to do a first class job with the second top coat on the Malvern side.

The result is fantastic!

The completed first top coat on the Cotswold side.