Network Rail Volunteer days - Final report

The last day (and a half!)

With the rain on Thursday, we were delayed in getting more preserving coats of paint onto the cab.  This was rectified by a crack team on Friday when we managed to finish applying the primer and then added a complete coat of grey undercoat.

Steve and Sherena applying primer to the cab before lunch

late in the afternoon the grey undercoat is applied

At the end of the day the cab was resplendent in grey undercoat

As we failed to get any gloss onto the cab during the 4 volunteering days, mainly owing to the inclement weather on the Thursday, Clive returned to the railway on Saturday to apply the coat of gloss which will help to keep the weather out until the time comes to restore the cab properly.  It does look good from "normal viewing distance" at the moment, but there are areas of perforation on the roof and rust expansion in some of the joints which require rectification.  The work we have carried out (and some more to do) will help the chaps on the ground to be able to assess and work on the cab when the right time arrives.

Clive adding gloss paint to the front cab plate

 

The black gloss applied to the cab roof and green to the cab sheets


A great vote of thanks goes to the volunteers from Network Rail who came to help.  It is much appreciated by the project team.  No need for name, they know who they are!

Forthcoming sales stands

We are attending an open day at St Botolphs Church by the banks of the river Adur  where we will be spreading the word and hopefully selling a few items! on Sunday and Monday of Bank Holiday weekend.  We are also aiming to be at a few gala days and model railway exhibitions, these are:

• September 1st - Burgess Hill Model Railway Club Exhibition - Burgess Hill Girls School
• 8th / 9th September - Bluebell Railway Shareholders Weekend - Restoration viewing tours
• 22nd/23rd September - Worthing Model Railway Club Exhibition - Durrington High School
• 13th/14th October - Giants of Steam - Sheffield Park
• 3rd/4th November - Sussex N Gauge Group Exhibition - Angmering School

We are also giving talks to a couple of groups over the winter. If you would like a talk regarding the restoration, please drop us an email.


 

We value your support and interest in the restoration of the loco, and without your donations we could not continue the work we are doing. 

 

If you would like to help us with a donation, please go to our BT MyDonate page https://mydonate.bt.com/events/27

or use the QR code below.

 

If you would like to contact us please use the following address:

thefenchurchfund@gmail.com

Thank you for your continued support and interest, it is much appreciated.