There was more steady progress on projects again this last week.
Ade has been wrestling with Caliban’s valve spindles.
The overhaul of Great Eastern Railway Royal Saloon GER No. 5 moves on, with John Davis seen here removing the old leatherette to allow more detailed inspection of the interior and then planned replacement by moquette.
John Dixon is nearing completion of the new gas bottle cage, the concrete base for which was laid as planned last Wednesday.
Keith has been back to Bury to assist with the replacement of broken springs on Great Western Railway 0-6-2T locomotive No. 5643. The damaged springs have been sent away for repair and will hopefully soon be back at the East Lancashire Railway.
Finally, we hear that Sam had a good day firing Grant Richie No. 272 on Saturday when he was being assessed as a potential fireman.
No blog next week due to a holiday – yes another holiday!!
We are nearing the end of work on the roof of Great Eastern Railway Royal Saloon No. 5. John Dixon is finishing off a few jobs before it will be time to apply several coats of white paint onto the roof. The tops have now been fitted to the gas lamp housings.
Phil and Anne Burton appeared last Wednesday and we are pleased to be able to report that Anne has been making good progress after damaging her arm in a fall away from the railway. The end of the chaise longue has been removed for further investigation prior to being reupholstered.
The woodwork inside the corridor of the coach has been transformed with the removal of old varnish which has been painstakingly carried out by the very patient and dedicated team. Measurements were taken last week with a view to ordering some replacement veneer where it is needed.
Matt Crabtree was back at work on Wootton Hall’s tender on Saturday where he has been practising his welding skills.
The lower part of the left hand tender side has now received a layer of filler to even out all the old paintwork. Good use has been made of the new dustless sanding machine in preparing the surface for a first coat of paint.
Another project taking shape has been the creation of the new gas bottle cage, with John Dixon seen here working on it. Concrete for the base has been ordered for 4 pm this Wednesday afternoon. Bring your wellies if you would like to lend a hand.
This week’s “seats of the week” photo sees Dave Starkie making a welcome return to speak to Alan Middleton and Keith Brewer.
Finally, Sam Middleton is taking his practical firing test this next Saturday. He was spotted having some pre-exam practice on Grant Richie No. 272 last Saturday. Good luck, Sam!
Work has continued on Great Eastern Railway Royal Saloon No. 5 where the gas lamp housings and torpedo vents now have been re-fitted to the roof. Again, there has been more progress in refurbishing the interior woodwork.
Young Matthew Owen, having achieved a welding certificate, also appeared a week last Wednesday to lend a hand and is seen here grinding rust from the old steelwork in readiness to weld in new plate. Needless to say, Matthew found that welding rusty metal is more of a challenge than the pristine steel found in the college workshop!
Finally, the Jubilee Weekend saw Furness Railway No. 20 in service at Preston on both the 4th and 5th June, complete with headboard and flags.