Work in Progress: 5th January

posted by Nigel Thompson on Tue, 10/01/2012 - 00:20

Very stormy and wet weather this week to begin 2012. There was flooding in the car park on Tuesday which will now require some additional drainage work to prevent further washouts as the muddy water ran down the transhipment siding.

Despite a small flood inside the station, no significant damage or loss of stock was noted and there was immediate action to suck away the water and activate the dehumidifiers.

1. By Thursday the strong wind remained but this did not deter Dick Gunn from climbing the down home signal post to continue his refurbishment. Dick was still able to needle gun de-rust the top of the post whilst the wind gusted around.

2. The 'new' marquee tent which served recently as Santa's Grotto and extra tea rooms survived the stormy weather unscathed. Today the Thursday gang were tasked with dismantling the tent and packing it away and into store ready for its next outing probably in the spring.

3. The roof sections are fitted in runners and easily slide off and fold away.

4. The sturdy frame of this tent is revealed.

5. Pulling off the final roof section.

6. In the shed Pete Williams cleans up and paints red oxide primer on the stripped front end of Hunslet diesel' HEDDON HALL. The radiator has been removed to be taken off site for repairs.

7. Meanwhile Tim Gibbs was working on the other Hunslet diesel - D6652 nearing the end of its restoration programme.

8. Also in the shed are: (Left-right) Down home signal arm being repainted, Maffei Steam loco SID, the telephone box - still being cleaned up and all the carriages now under cover awaiting a few touch-up up paint jobs.