Despite some rain early this morning it was dry by the time we arrived on site, and the day soon turned warm and humid. With the regular Wednesday team in, we were able to keep several projects moving while also running trains. It was the final Kids Activity Day, with four trains operated and many many passengers carried, a worthwhile effort, and good to have support from those providing the crew.
First thing, the water bowser was taken down to the far end of the site and refilled which in turn means the water tank in Workshop 83B was able to be refilled, followed by a repair to the milling machine. Meanwhile preparatory work continued on the benches outside ARS2.
Work on the Wickham trolley progressed, with sanding on one end panel and a second undercoat applied to the other. I spent the morning applying the fleet numbers to the ends of the Dough wagon; all lettering is now complete, and only coupling pins and a new timber buffing plate are needed to finish it. Internal decoration of museum shed 83C continued steadily.
After lunch, more coats of paint went onto the benches outside ARS2, and a repair was undertaken on the engine stop assembly of the Ruhrthaler. Undercoating continued on the Wickham trolley end panel, and three of the underseat kick panels were cut and fitted.
Further use of the JCB allowed ten sleepers to be brought from the P Way yard to the new display area at the north end of the upper yard, followed by two full lengths of 35lb rail. A small panel of 18‑inch gauge track was also removed back to the P Way yard. With these materials now in place, we can make the track panel for the GreenBat 6099 (BB307) Mines Research Establishment locomotive and its Cleaning Unit.
Another successful day, with plenty achieved thanks to the hard work of everyone on site.
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