Starting to Look Good

Yesterday represented a major step forward in our restoration of 547. For the first time we started to put things back together. Attaching the side cladding means we are now returning the carriage to its complete condition.

Justin and Alan arrived early and started to measure out the sides and plan their attack. After marking the correct position the first sheet was put in place. By this time, Kevin, Paul and Jim had arrived and David got there just in time to see the panel go on. Justin had the honour of driving the first screw.

By the time Paul had lunch ready, another great BBQ, three panels were in place. By then we had realised there was a small problem. Although the frame at the top and bottom had solid timber the area in between is of varying quality. Often a screw would go straight in to the timber and not bite, longer screws were required in this area. We were using the size recommended by the timber manufacturers and they worked fine on good framework but not on the poorer parts.

David and Jim left early but by the end of the day all panels were in place, the side was completely covered. We will obtain some more suitable screws to complete the job, in the mean time enough screws were used to make the sides secure.

We need to attach cover strips and other trim later. The sheets arrived with undercoat already applied, we will touch it up in places where it was cut and around the screw holes etc. It is covered with plastic at the moment.

While all this was going on Kevin continued on with the end of 547 in between assisting on the sides, some of the headstock was undercoated but one side was still wet from the recent rain.

The only downside to the day was the discovery that 1539 is leaking badly. The tarp has been a problem on this carriage before. We patched it last time but this time the tarp has ripped around the vent. Nora has suggested using old tyres to support the tarp over the vent and a new tarp is being sourced.

Well done to everyone who helped on the day. There are some more photos in the gallery. It was a great event to finally be putting the car back together.