Monday 15th August 2022

Just a short update this week.

John Davis cleaning a piece of wooden beading from GER No.5Work has continued on Great Eastern Royal Saloon No. 5, with Tim completing the painting of the corniche mouldings and John Dixon installing the last of the re-built vents on the roof. The moquette for the chaise longue in the large saloon has been ordered and, in anticipation of this, the saloon ceiling is in the course of being repainted, hopefully to be completed this week. John Davis has been working on some of the wooden beading.

John Davis and Phil Bell in planning modeThe replacement veneer has also been ordered and John Davis and Phil are seen here planning its installation – or it could just be another “seats of the week” photo?!

Keith and Ron removing a stubborn nut from one of Wootton Hall's spring hanger boltsKeith has again been busy working on Wootton Hall‘s tender, seen here with Ron Crowe attempting to remove a stubborn nut from one of the spring hanger bolts.

Keith has also been across to Bury where he assisted with the fitting of two replacement springs on 5643, borrowed from GWR 2-8-0 3855 courtesy of Andy Booth – thanks Andy. It is hoped that 5643’s own springs will be returned from repair very shortly, delayed by a difficulty in procuring the correct specification of spring steel.

Finally, over at Embsay, the boiler surveyor has inspected the Trust’s ‘Austerity’ 0-6-0ST Cumbria and given the OK for the replacement tubes to be fitted, which should commence tomorrow.