Today was day for being outside......

.....and, I ended up inside! However, we are quite lucky that the shed is generally quite a cool place to be, therefore I wasn't in the least bit envious. Still, being out in the yard enjoying the Cotswold scenery is also something to enjoy when working. 

It was a decent turn out for a Sunday on a Bank Holiday weekend with lots of work going on, predominantly on the Class 26. On arrival, I was the only one about so I had a quick walk about to get some snaps. The overhaul of 1693 is rapidly approaching its conclusion and a date has been set for its return to service - although this won't be advertised until closer the time because of various reasons, not least the further easing of COVID restrictions. That said the work continues unabated. With the upper part of the loco readied for its top coat the focus has been on the areas below the sole bar. 

So shiny you can see your face in them! 1693's battery boxes look the business.

The underframe pipework has been having their coats of paint. The fuel and oil pipes still require top coat but the electrical (Orange) and air (White) pipes have been done. 

Even the Emergency Engine Stop and Fire Extinguisher buttons have been so treated. 

The BT4G team have also been busy with the final bits above the sole bar that were still outstanding. This included fitting the tail light bulbs, although I'm not sure about the makeshift dominoes!

Tail light bulbs are in, just need the red lenses. 

Possible marking out for dominoes? Hopefully, minus the footprints!
 

Also in the shed were a number of shiny new liners. These arrived during the middle of last week and are bound for the Class 26's Sulzer lump. Andy M spent most of the day in the McRat's engine room completing some preparatory work for the engine repairs to restart. 

Shiny new engine bits!

However, the majority of the work was focused on the outside of the loco. For the last few weeks Dave S has been targeting some of the rotten metal work on the flanks. This has included welding in new steel to replace badly worn and accident damaged structures behind the metal skin. 

New steel has been painted and new steel plate has been welded in place. One piece left to go. 

The new plate welded in by Dave S. Just in the bottom right, Simon's hand and a needle gun get in on the action.

It would also appear that the cab at No. 1 end will also require some attention as the area where the headlights would have sat in the 1970s.

The corrosion evident on the nose of No.1 end. 

Simon was busy with the needle gun stripping back the paint and any accumulated rust on the sole bar itself. By the end of the day the sole bar had been repainted in primer. The no.2 end bogie has also been treated. On the other side of the loco sanders were the tool of choice as Alex, Tom and Harrison got to grips with taking the paint back to the metal, under the watchful eye of Richard S. Poor guys looked like Smurfs when they had finished! Part of the joys of loco restoration.

Richard S oversees the work to rub down the bodyside of D5343. Several previous liveries were still in evidence including the locos original BR Green!

Elsewhere in the yard, DES was getting some attention from it's owners - Paul J and his Dad, along with Chris. The shunter has recently had an air receiver exam which it passed. There was also an issue with two of it's manual lift pumps on the fuel pump. This was replaced and the pump has showed no sign of issue when the loco was run up. There was also the fitting of a new metal battery box holder. The old wooden one had seen much better days and, when Paul removed it from the box it literally fell apart!

The old, wooden battery box. Not in the best of health!

With Paul in the background, Chris readies himself to go back up on the running board and fit the new metal battery holder.

I was assisting Steve M with the continued bogie maintenance and overhauls on his Class 20s. I was in the shed giving the bogies from D8137 a further brush up and clean before they will be moved outdoors for pressure washing. Steve is then hopeful that the errant traction motor can be replaced and the bogies put back under the loco. Whilst I was doing that Steve was outside with D8137 giving it a going over with the pressure washer. 

Steve gives D8137 a hose down in the yard. 

Work has also been ongoing with 20228's cab with some of the fittings getting a clean and some of the wiring being checked for any issues. Class 73, E6036 will also be off to a new home in the next few weeks after being sold at the beginning of May. 

During the previous week, work had been completed on 37215's straight air breaks. Kevin J made a visit to Railway Brake Services in Burton on Trent where one of the straight air brakes was adjusted and a number of other items were delivered for checking and overhaul - you can see the photos of Kev's visit on the Growler Group Facebook page.

I was also hoping to bring you news of the change to the timetables in June after the easing of lockdown, however, because of the Government playing things very close to their chest, the railways have decided to postpone the timetable change. However, updates will be posted as soon as changes are made concrete. However, the Class 47 Diesel Day on Sunday 27th June IS going ahead with 47376 'Freightliner 1995' although only tickets in the Open coaches of the train are available. Best be quick!!!