"The GWSR - Past, Present and Future"
The extra weekend has arrived and, with just about every heritage railway and railway museum doing something special, we wondered how well we would fare regarding general attendance. Overall I don't think we did badly, maybe not as busy as a gala but certainly with reasonable numbers at Winchcombe especially on Sunday.
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Saturday
A very pleasant surprise was to hear that Eddie
(our former Head of Woodwork), and Dave and Penny (formerly in Upholstery) were up at the station so we definitely had to see them.
Pam and I were soon joined by Bob, Paul and Phil.
While there the freight pulled in very appropriately behind 2807...........
........ and the opportunity to take a few shots from the footbridge.
The freight then reversed into the Malvern side of the yard, only to come back out minus the back half of the consist.
It then backed into our side of the yard.
Whatever was going on? Hopefully not a hotbox on one of the wagons.
And then the penny dropped.
They are picking up the MICA and the Open C !
After all that time in the Works, what a heartening sight to see those two in the consist at last!
Then it was back into the Malvern side of the yard to reattach the back half of the train.
Next a walk back down the platform, resisting the goodies from the griddle tent (that would come later!), past Alex's excellent sandwich board advertising our opening, and into RBr 1675 to get some photos.
1675 had been specially opened for a VIP visit, which I didn't photograph as Ian, our Press Officer, was actively recording everything for our official news.
It was lovely to see the results of all the hard work now being used. With training of the relevant catering staff now well underway, it will be a treat to see 1675 when the coach eventually becomes part of Rake 1 next year, if not before.
Now over to the Goods Office display to capture Rose, Maurice and Paul enjoying their morning break in the Toad brakevan.
Now, I think it's time for that long awaited bacon bap!
Being Saturday we were working as usual and as we were open to the public, in the Paintshop this was restricted to light hand sanding on the Malvern side of 1876.
When we open the Works, on Gala Saturdays visitors are restricted to the Paintshop, but can view the activities in the Workshop and Barn from behind barriers. On Sundays when there is no working a taped route through the Workshop and Barn allows full access. The Woodwork shop is always viewed from behind a barrier, while partial entry into Upholstery is allowed.
On the Cotswold side Jeff concentrated on his centre doorframe repairs, showing Pam how far he had got with the job. During the week Pam had been doing the same on the south end doorframe. Meanwhile Nick chats with one of our visitors.
Simon continues the rebuild of the Malvern side toilet compartment in SO 4798.
Lots of varnishing to do. The Cotswold side toilet compartment has had two coats of varnish, but a third coat will complete the job very nicely.
There has been a lot of tidying up inside 4798. In the foreground is one of the toilet doors ready for reinstating when the relevant compartment has been finished.
It was just George again working on the Malvern side of the coach.
The details and photos set up for visitor viewing on Sunday of what we intend doing with the construction of the weed spraying wagon. Nick's team have got this second panel installed on the Cotswold side to give our visitors a better idea of the vehicle's construction.
In the Barn Ian and Clive are working on one of the vacuum cylinders under BSK 35308. This will be the first of 3-4 coaches going into blue and grey, the repainting being done by the Diesel Department.
Roof repairs to the Fruit C van in the form of several coats of Evercryl fibre coating, which should stop any further leaks. Maurice and Paul were busy with this job.
Dennis, Dave and Paul take a break and wait for the next train .......
..... which is hauled by 6880 "Betton Grange". Good to see her back after all her travels, being a very popular loco and frequently hired.
A flurry of activity in the Paintshop with a sudden influx of visitors. This often happens after a train has pulled out.
It's the Grange again, doubleheaded with 47376.
In Upholstery Eve begins stripping the old moquette from the first of the DMU seats from the NYMR.
Nick and I set up the Bournemouth Blue moquette roll on the scaffold pipe under the table. This is what will be used to re-cover the DMU seats.
As with all our open days Pam looks after our four legged visitors. She always asks first and the answer is almost always yes, much to their pet's delight.
Then off the view the Paintshop displays, stopping first at the Led/Tungsten Bulb comparison (again many thanks to Richards I and II who kindly set this up each time).
"Any chance of another biscuit?"
Simon giving the Woodwork shop a good vacuuming after a busy day.
I missed Ken reinstating the communication cord (passcom) mechanism at the south end of SO 4798.
Nick, Eve and Pam who happily help me with all our Gala and special openings.
Rose busy cleaning the partially reconstructed Friends greenhouse.
"Betton Grange" again, this time with the freight in tow.
Our "famous two" now proudly displayed in the consist.
Approaching the end of Day One. Pam watches 26043 and 47376 leave for Toddington, having deposited Rake 3 in Platform 2 ready for Sunday's running.
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Sunday
It was well into Sunday before I started taking any photos. A good sign of the day to come was that we were getting visitors in the Works from quite early on. Keith watches 7903 "Foremarke Hall" pass with a Cheltenham train.
Initially there had been quite a crowd here waiting for "Betton Grange" with the freight, but it stubbornly remained in Platform 2 after the Cheltenham train had passed and was no doubt waiting for a northbound train to pass before moving. As such the crowd slowly dispersed so my hopes of a good photo of the freight with plenty of foreground visitors was dashed.
The return through the Works was an eye opener. Wow, this is more like it! Plenty of visitors, making all the efforts of setting everything up feel very worthwhile. The nearby group view the info about the weed spraying wagon.
Upholstery is always very popular and Eve was often kept busy describing the various aspects of our efforts there.
Not having been able to obtain the photo I wanted, let's do some close ups instead.
Hi guys, good to see you both out running at last!
A very different view from the end of the train. Many of the vehicles have now lost that "just painted" appearance, giving a more realistic look to the freight train.
A very thoughtful visitor who had bought one of our cushions for his wife who was unwell.
The waited for train has appeared behind 47376.
With the northbound train gone the crowds reappear to photograph the Grange.
On her way to view the freight leaving, Pam delights two more little visitors who are very eager to have a few treats.
2807 arrives with the next Cheltenham train ......
........ and at last the freight can depart. With the cylinder drain cocks expelling any excess water "Betton Grange" pulls away and the pleasure of watching the goods vehicles slowly trundle past is once again enjoyed by all.
And we weren't the only happy ones. Stu had very kindly come in to do an extra day and help Rose finish the reconstruction of the FOWS greenhouse. Now to get some compost, trays, pots and plants.
