Here we are, last blog of the year!
Christmas may well be nearly upon us but that hasn’t stopped work in the FRT shed. The major happening last Wednesday was a pre-Christmas shunt of the shed which moved Wootton Hall’s tender chassis to the front of the heated section of the shed. It can be seen here making its first appearance in daylight since being re-wheeled earlier in the year. There is a plan to fit the tender tank on top of the chassis on Wednesday, 5th January, hence the need to move it nearer to the shed entrance.
Keith has continued to work on Wootton Hall‘s boiler cladding, making up some of the more difficult (origami?!) pieces around the front of the firebox which bend in various planes.
The last of the bonding compound that held the previous canvas in place has now been removed from the roof of GER Royal Saloon No. 5, and the aforementioned shunt allowed the hydraulic platform to be positioned at the west end of the vehicle to allow the end pieces of wood that hold the canvas in place to be removed.
Phil Burton has been removing old paint from the roof rain strips from GER No. 5.
Fred, having previously cleaned the paint off the torpedo vents, has commenced the task of adding new paint.
John Davis continued his quest to paint every nook and cranny in Fluff‘s cab.
Roger spent Friday giving the fire pump a 300 gallon service and clean, in readiness for its next use.
Looking forward, working parties are planned for Wednesday and Friday this week, but the Saturday working party has been cancelled for some reason. (Yes, they all deserve Christmas day off! Ed.) Working parties will resume as normal next Wednesday and Friday (29th and 31st) but will not take place on Saturday, 1st January.
Our folk group, Live Steam, having finished playing Christmas songs and carols for the RSR’s Santa Specials, are planning to perform at the Engine Inn, Cark-in-Cartmel on New Year’s Eve, as long as there are no changes in the Government restrictions by then.
We conclude by wishing all our readers a very enjoyable and peaceful Christmas!