Apologies for the smaller photos in my last few postings, which were all done on my phone. With the lights on my new router happily flickering, I’m back on my laptop and so back to full size photos again. If I get a few minutes I will go back and convert the smaller photos.
Spotted while enjoying our initial cuppa, this little fellow looks set on a mission. We often see cats slinking across the line from the nearby housing, our yard and surrounds no doubt being great mousing territory. They never respond to our calls – too many more important things to be done!
Maurice applies what will probably be the last coating of the oil/creocote mix to the floor of the GW/SR van. It’s now taking much longer to sink in, so the floor has probably reached saturation point.
The white board has been cleaned and the next goods vehicles due for refurbishment written up. Both runners, of course, to add to our GW freight train.
Staying on the freight theme, Derek replaces more bits of rotten planking on the Monster Van.
Also working outside, Dave begins tidying up one of our CCTs.
More of Dave’s efforts. Such an improvement for both the passing trains and any yard visitors, and of course some extra protection.
And talking of protection, Alan adds the Underframe Black to the undercoated vacuum cylinder.
Wow, talk about packed trestles! Just as well the new TIG welder trolley is on wheels and can remain on the ground while Keith adds the first coat of yellow. The larger of the two water heater skids is now in undercoat, while the smaller one is now fully top coated. The yellow tray for the trolley can just be seen, while various black-painted items are partly visible on the left. Hanging on the hooks and soon to be undercoated white are the brackets for fixing the tray to the trolley.
Maurice catches up with the mandatory viewing of the angle grinder video on the office computer. This was followed by a questionnaire (he passed 100%). All staff have to view a number of H&S videos, each followed by a questionnaire.
The pace is quickening with the refurbishment of SO 4798. With occasional help when needed, Tony removed three of the main windows at the north end of the coach, the third one the Malvern side.
The tamper was in action today along our length of main line.
On now to RBr 1675 with a variety of jobs underway. A job Ian has been wanting to do for a while is get the sole bars, headstocks and buffers cleaned up and at least undercoated. He made a good start on the Cotswold side.
With the interior of both calor gas boxes cleaned and primed, Alan adds white undercoat – it will need two coats to cover the red oxide adequately. It’s good to get these cleaned up and painted instead of just left in a poor state.
With the Paintshop scaffold tower in place, Roger completes the undercoating above the south end corridor connection.
Phil came in for a while and helped with the remaining filling and sanding (window frames and doorway capping strips) on the south end of the Malvern side. Roger, having finished his painting, also joined in.
Maurice cleaned up the buffers and headstock at the north end, and then removed the rotten wood keeps for the buffer extenders. The old bolts for the keeps were badly corroded and of course thoroughly rusted in.
Ainsley measuring up above one of the Cotswold side windows.
The ceiling painting is coming along well. Richard has now undercoated the kitchen and pantry areas.
Hello, what’s this? It’s not moquette!
With the rag bin almost empty, more was desperately needed. There being no room on the Paintshop trestles, the large table in Upholstery was not only ideal, but more importantly clean, so if available I think I will use it again. Tony used my phone to catch me cutting up a very large duvet cover (thank you who ever donated this). The Paintshop rag bin is in fact gratefully used by everyone and it’s not unusual to find bits of freshly cut rag throughout the Works.
