The group met yesterday (7th Jan) for the first time in 2014. Anybody watching news, or even just stepping outside would know about the weather Britain has been having. Luckily for us at Swithland, the rain actually kept away until late evening.
And we are a group that takes full advantage of this. The east side has been receiving cleaning jobs, with just under 3/4's fully cleaned down. However due to the inevitable weather, we were never able to prime. The east side resembled more of an item from the famous Barry Scrap Yard then to a wagon receiving restoration work.
With the weather actually being settled, work resumed in cleaning the remaining areas of the east side. Keith tackled the top whilst I tackled the north end. The work included cleaning down old paint and the newly accumulated surface weathering.
Just before lunch Keith's area was put into primer. The photo below shows his progress. Notice what we mean about the weathering affect, a simple rub down removes this.
Copyright Tommy Lees 2014
The photo below shows the progress on the north end of the east side.
Copyright Tommy Lees 2014
This was primed at the back end of the session. The recently primed areas are clearly visible, being a slightly shiner variant
Whilst I was priming, Keith again more progress with the west ladder. This is currently on top of the adjacent conflat. Work so far has seen the two outer supports cleaned and primed, with work moving on to the steps them selves. The photo below shows the ladder upon the conflat.
Copyright Tommy Lees 2014
As you can see work is still progressing well, and A6071 is moving even closer to being finished. A finish of mid 2014 is still on target and if the weather stays like this, the mixed freight during the Autumn gala may have a new vehicle. Keep your eyes peeled
Copyright Tommy Lees 2014
Copyright Tommy Lees 2014
Copyright Tommy Lees