The run up to Christmas is well underway and in the Works the pace if anything has increased as we want to get as much done as possible before we begin our Winter Shutdown maintenance. Next Tuesday will be the final day in and then that will be it until Saturday 27th. For some of our staff the holiday has already started and they won't be back until the new year, but we still had a good number attending today.
Besides sorting out any issues with the running rakes, our priorities are of course RMB 1876 and SO 4798. Both are needed for the new season, but 4798 will probably be later.
When refurbishing a coach this is the stage we all look forward to. Alex has marked out the first of the two numbers in French chalk on the Cotswold side of RMB 1876. Looks like I have inadvertently taken a selfie of the blogger in action.
Now on the Malvern side. Don't panic, it's just a temporary hanging!
With the BUFFET template accurately positioned and held in place by the excellent Tesa yellow tape, Alex carefully draws around the edge of each letter.
The French chalk rubbed on the back of the template leaves the outline of each letter.
The horizontal and vertical tapes ensure consistent levels and widths respectively.
The completed number and name on the Malvern side. To finish off when completely dry, a wipe over to remove the chalk dust.
The numbers and names are perfectly level. They always appear to be crooked when viewing from the sides. It's just an optical illusion.
Robert reinstated the door back panels on the Cotswold side of 1876.
The clamps ensured that the panels were compressed into the curve of the aluminium door.
New holes were drilled in the frame and the self tapping screws inserted.
Inside a change of livery with the cream and brown of the counter and associated cupboards being changed to white and brown. Bob and Pam lightly sanded the existing cream paint.
Bob then got going with the white undercoating.
I meanwhile continued the cleaning up, sanding and adding sealant in the area behind the counter. Photos will be taken on Tuesday.
Pam moved into the south vestibule, initially sanding the ceiling, and then priming a new section of hardboard before undercoating the rest.
Simon continued the lengthy rebuilding of the toilet compartments at the north end.
There is a lot to do, but he is making a very good job of it.
One of the new flying saucer lights couldn't be installed without having to remove and shorten the replacement centre section of ceiling. This was needed to cover the gaps left when the old tubular lighting was removed.
Phil came up with a novel way of reinstating the centre section. New pieces were inserted and secured to overlap the edges of the large gap, and will provide adequate support for the centre section.
The north compartment now looks really good with the repainted ceiling and new lights installed.
Jeff and Phil got cracking on more lining out on the Malvern side of 1876, adding black gloss to the top line.
Jeff later moved to the lower line and began adding the gold paint.
The first of the day's Santa trains had yet to appear, so a quick dash up to Platform 1 and the griddle to get one of their delicious sausage baps. Some of the gang were on their way back having already eaten their's. A large number of elves and even Santa himself were on the platform ready for the train.
In Platform 2 Rake 2 looked splendid in the bright sunshine with wisps of steam from the heating appearing in all the right places - this will disappear once the pipework and connections warm up.
A distant whistle and somebody announcing the train's imminent arrival had me hurrying back along the platform, bap in one hand and phone in the other. There was just time to take a photo of "Betton Grange" before the passengers began to leave the train.
When recently retrieving some bits of rubbish in the yard, I picked up some old rag and was somewhat surprised when a shower of washers and some nuts went flying. Who left these out and wrapped in a rag?! The washers and nuts were duly retrieved and Kevin kindly sorted and stored them in the relevant drawers.
SO 4798 is now in the Barn for a change of bogies.
Ainsley was able to continue with the filling and sanding, but it was too cold for the planned indoor varnishing. However this shouldn't take long to do when 4798 comes back into the Workshop, or even the Paintshop where it is scheduled to go once 1876 moves out.
On the Barn through road, the weed spraying wagon, and the bogies from 4798 or the replacements?
John with one of the radiator heating pipes from under 4798.
The severely corroded connections to the radiators are of no use now, but the centre joint is. Unfortunately we don't have any of these available so John is going to try and retrieve it.
Having sorted out a similar replacement main pipe, Kevin gives it a coat of green primer.
John has a go at loosening the pipes connected to the joint. Heating followed by attempts with an adjustable spanner failed, even with the length of the added pipe to provide extra torque.
Thanks to Paul E. for two photos of work on the Mink D van. Maurice glosses the frame ready for when the planks can be added.
Earlier in the day Maurice began removing the old canvas from the roof.
In Upholstery Laura is preparing side panels in Bournemouth Blue moquette, which the NYMR have chosen for their DMU seats. When we had a DMU we also used this moquette.
The trial bits on the DMU seat frame have been replaced by internal foam padding to check the fit. Laura and I tested the seat and found it to be very comfortable.
More contracts are beginning to appear on the horizon. Upholstery are going to be very busy.
Alan, who has just returned from holiday, was making up the parts for the window frame which will be fitted to the door skin. This will be for one of the doors from BSK 35308.
He is now tack welding a replacement section of sheet metal by the guards door.
BSK 35308 still needs a number of bodyside repairs.
The south end has been largely repaired, but the connection still remains to be refitted.
The Cotswold side windowed doors to both luggage compartments are being rebuilt.
Various repairs have both been made and need to be made at the north end.
The U frame attached to the corridor connection is in a bad way and will need to be at least partially, if not completely, rebuilt.
Where did these come from? We were being spoiled today and not only with these lovely veggies. Rose had brought in a load of sausage rolls and ginger cake which she had very kindly made for us. What with our usual supply of cakes, as well as the Christmas mince pies and tubs of sweets, and baps from the station griddle, we will be piling on the calories and the weight!
Two photos taken by Alex of the wagon work being done at Toddington. Last Sunday green Vanfit 755964 was taken up from Winchcombe, given a rub down and undercoated.
On Wednesday evening it was top coated in the Bauxite paint that had arrived the day before in my latest paint order.
"Pendennis Castle" slumbers in the background. She will be in steam after Christmas for the final week of running of the 2025 season.
