Finishing the Sides

The task at hand today was installing the cover strip over the joins on the side. Last workday the amount of material needed was calculated and ordered. We also purchased some more tools. Unfortunately the countersinks for metal hadn't arrived but that didn't delay any work today.

Ron and Jeanette had collected the pine cover strips and delivered them this morning. Justin and Alan installed the strip under the window sill and the end strip on the sides. These are made of treated pine. The vertical strips on the sides will be steel. We have them too.

Meanwhile Kevin was working on the end. The restoration of the headstock is almost complete. He has reinstalled the steps and most of the fittings. The rails will be installed next time.

Keeping our tarps in place is an important task as they protect the carriages. Jim replaced a couple of ropes and fixed another broken one today. We walk the full length of the carriages on both sides each workday and check all ropes.

There are more photos in the photo gallery. You can click on images here to see a larger version too.

Workday Cancelled

It has been decided to cancel the workday this Sunday. We hope to have another workday next weekend.

In the meantime Alan has been working on getting the materials to finish the sides of 547. We are going to put some silicon around the sheets we installed to stop water getting behind them. Then we will fit the cover strips. We have been advised that the steel strips are better although the timber ones look better. Both suggestions came from our visitors last week.

Under Inspection

Yesterday started cold but sunny, this was one day we would have liked to be working on the sunny side of the carriage. Alan and Justin arrived early and got stuck into finishing the side. While all panels had been attached most only had a few screws. Alan had obtained longer screws which gave a better grip in the poorer timber. They proceeded to add extra screws to each panel, replacing some but not all of the shorter ones in the process.

Kevin arrived to find the end of the car was still damp. Timber dries slowly on these cold mornings particularly when the sun doesn't touch it. He dried where he could so he could continue with the undercoating and painting the headstock. He was able to attach the buffer and cover later in the day.

When Jim arrived he prepared the table area for lunch after giving everyone the news we were expecting guests. Paul arrived later loaded with sufficient food for everyone.

When Justin and Alan finished adding screws and after a cuppa, Alan and Jim applied a little undercoat to all areas where bare timber had been exposed. By this time Paul had the BBQ alight and was preparing lunch.

We have fortunate to have a former carriage works expert available to us to advise and assist us. Wayne visits us occasionally and is always welcome. Today he brought his former boss Bill and a couple more of his mates. They had a good look around and then joined us for lunch. Over lunch we discussed our plans as well as getting some good feedback.

When the food was gone Bill and Wayne continued their look around passing on valuable information as they went. The van was opened for inspection and to pack away a few things from the exhibition. We discovered a broken rope on 683 so Alan and Jim replaced it.

After our guests departed we finished cleaning up the site and headed off home. An interesting and fruitful day.

As always click on the pictures for a larger view and then are other images in the gallery. Over 120 photos are there now, click on the link on the top left.

Back to Work

It will be a short post today as I don't have much time.

After the well earned rest last weekend it is back to work this Sunday. We intend to continue working on the sides and ends of 547.

Having a Rest

After the busy weekend at the Hobby Show the general consensus was we deserved a break this weekend. So the workday is cancelled but we will back on the 15th.

Thank you to all the carriage group workers who lent a hand at the show, early reports are it was a great success.