I thought that I would start the report for January by looking back on what we achieved in 2008.

The principal plan for that year was to complete the refurbishment of our maroon set, and get it into service. Well we achieved that. We refurbished the TSO (Tourist second Open) 5042; the FK (Corridor First) 13326 and the SO (Open Second) 4798. The whole newly overhauled and refurbished rake went into use towards the end of the year.

At the beginning of the year we had created another vehicle for the Elegant Excursions set, by painting an ex-mailvan into chocolate & cream, and towards the end of the year we overhauled and fully refurbished the Elegant Excursions FO (Open First) 3091. Additionally, a great deal of work was carried out on the RBr (Restaurant Buffet) 1672, in readiness for completing the refurbishment this year.

Wagons were not overlooked. We completed the rebuild of BR brake van B954962; we overhauled and repainted the Shark ballast plough and the LSWR plank wagon; the LNWR box van was completely rebuilt and the BR Shocvan B854239 was refurbished. Pictures of both the Shocvan and the LNWER van accompany this.

So, all in all a very successful year. Hopefully 2009 will be just as productive.

Having completed the Elegant Excursions FO 3091 'Marguerite', we moved it out of our workshop at the beginning of January, and replaced it with the BSO (Brake open second) 9000. There is a very significant amount of work to do on this; not least structurally where one end will need to be essentially rebuilt, and most steel door pillars will have to be stripped out and replaced.

This will be a very useful vehicle when completed. It will have a disabled compartment; a guards brake compartment; an open saloon area with seating and tables TSO style, and a counter where on train sales stands can be set up. Of particular importance, it will increase capacity for our ever popular fish & Chip trains.

This coach was only inside for about three weeks, as we have a requirement to repaint the Elegant Excursions Kitchen Car 4331 ready for the coming season. However, this short period allowed everyone in the department to take stock of all the different jobs that are required on 9000 , whilst at the same time making a very good start on all sorts of areas.

Two windows in the passenger area were identified as needing to be removed as there was a degree of rot in the bodyside underneath. It was decided to do this first, so that work on replacing all the newly refurbished and varnished interior woodwork will continue now the coach is back outside. For the same reason, the ceiling in that area is being cleaned, repaired as necessary and painted. There are other rotten areas in the body which need replacing, and they can be done once the coach comes back inside for its final refurbishment.

The roof is being cleaned down ready for repainting; new ply flooring has been made and fitted to replace rotten areas; newly overhauled vacuum brake cylinders have been fitted and much grinding, sanding and preparatory painting has been taking place on the body sides.

The Shocvan mentioned above was inside our workshop also, having the final work done before it went outside. A new ply and canvas roof has been fitted, and one of the doors has virtually been remade. This vehicle is now parked outside our workshop, and will be used as a store for whichever coach we have started the long job of refurbishing.  All parts and fittings removed from that coach can be stored safely in the van, rather than as at present, be scattered around all over the place.

Work is also continuing regularly on the BRr 1672, which was parked on our carriage jacks. The missing steam heat pipe is being made up, and fitted underneath. About three quarters of the main pipe has so far been done. There is also an amount of secondary steel and copper pipe to be fitted, to serve the radiators.

As this is January and February, we have the service rakes parked at Winchcombe, to carry out any necessary repairs which cannot be done when the coaches are in service. Some of the jobs include the replacement of the flooring in the disabled area of the BSK (Brake Corridor Second) 34929 with non slip vinyl; the overhaul (and ultimately complete rebuilding) of a very distressed passenger door from TSO 4772 and attention to steam leaks in FK 13329 and SO 4787.

In addition to that, all coaches will have had their annual full examination. All oil filled axleboxes have had their pads removed for inspection and replacement as necessary, and all buckeye couplers have been inspected and overhauled. Repairs have been undertaken to any torn and split moquette, and all internal pipework has been inspected and repairs carried out.

A marathon six hour shunt one weekend in January saw various vehicles moved around. The Elegant Excursions Kitchen Car (ex-TSO) 4331 was moved into our workshop and work is now well underway. Also SO 4787 was positioned on our carriage jacks ready to be lifted for removal and replacement of a defective part of its steam heat pipe. The completed LNWR van was positioned back in the bay platform at Winchcombe, where it will no doubt once again be used by the Friends of Winchcombe.

About four weeks later, we conducted the whole exercise again, and another marathon shunt took place, again over more than six hours. The SO 4787 went back into the rake with a brand new steam pipe section replacing a rotten and broken part. It was replaced on the jacks by the FK 13329 for exactly the same job in the same place. We have people who are now quite expert at this particular job.

We also took the opportunity to completely reorganise the lines of wagons standing in sidings on the other side of the running line, adjacent to No 2 bay platform. Gone is the line of assorted box vans and brake vans which had stood there for many years. In its place is the DMU; the GWR hand crane and some B R Tube wagons. We also created a parking space for the Tamper and the Railcar, so that they can be parked between services without disrupting everything else.

The reasoning behind that particular reorganisation is that there is a plan to bring the demonstration goods train down to Winchcombe, from where it is currently parked, on the headshunt up near the viaduct. We need to be able to check that set over, and keep it in reasonable order, but of course cannot get to it where it is currently parked. It will be exchanged with the rake of assorted box vans and brake vans which will disappear up there for long term parking.

To cap it all, I had a call last week to say that a large 2" water supply pipe under the RBr had burst with the frost, and would have to be replaced immediately so that the coach could be used for the Race Trains in early March. No water = no restaurant car. Happily, that was sorted out in a mornings work a few days later, when a new section of pipe was fabricated and fitted.

I remember a Sunday evening television quiz programme many years ago, where contestants had to do various silly things, whilst a great big clock in the background counted down the minutes. That is exactly what it has felt like for us for the last two months. The two service rakes have to be ready for the end of February, and the Kitchen Car is required for the first Elegant Excursions trip in mid March.

So, no shortage of work then.

Richard Johnson
26.02.09