Wednesday the 30th August another nice dry day to get things done outside.

first job reassemble the belt drive for the lathe after last weeks clean and paint an easier job with the main shaft clamped in the blacksmiths vice outside the workshop.

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Then it was mounting feet time to see what it looked like together

It was then time to clean up inside Foss Cross building to make room for it and clear out natures accumulated debris.

As there is some uneven bricks on the rear station area the use of something to slide the lathe the 30 metres to the building meant some alternative thinking as even stripped down the lathe frame was heavy, one bucket, a dog bowl and a tray served as skis.

The 1930's timber frame used for the motor and belt drive looked rough so Greg stripped it and got the sander out followed by some woodworm treatment a dark stain and a wax.

the completed frame

the 1920's /30's art deco inspired motor needed a good clean, wire repair along with a more sympathetic to the era paint job whilst preserving the chrome nuts and fittings.

The wooden frame was the reattached to the lathe and the belt drive assembly fitted in position then it will swing back against the wall. just needs to motor and belts on now to be complete less a power supply.

Greg in the meantime had being welding holes in the Morris 2t 3cwt roof and back panel.

after doing some repairs to the bead around the windscreen so we can get the glass in to keep the weather out.

Wednesday 23rd August a nice day for outside work.

Greg was on train duty with visitors for the morning so time to crack on with the lathe preservation.

task one remove the electrical box a late addition to the belt drive lathe unit.

Then finish cleaning with the wire wheel in the drill and treat with lanolin.

the completed item part stripped to make it lighter to man handle into it's display position 30 metres or more away.

A quick check on the Morris cab work and the sub frame is completely welded in and has been attached to the cab rear wall. Greg has also started repairing the rot around the windscreens so we can refit the glass to protect the new metal work.

The belt drive assembly for the lathe is rusty and seized so best strip clean, paint then preserve ready for a rebuild and locating with the lathe.

The mountings were bolted to a large timber block on the lathe where the later electric motor was also installed so they were removed shot blasted and painted.

It was then time to strip out the pulley shaft and fittings for blasting and painting 

after painting and left to dry.

The main shaft is too long for the blast cabinet so a session on the wire wheel stand go it clean but the triple end pulley is seized solid so it will stay put, into the vice afterwards it got treated with lanolin.

The lathe needs moving into Foss Cross building and reassembling and the belt drive needs reassembling and mounting above it.

The final task was the Scammel iron horse but a flat battery stopped that.

 Thursday the 17th a sunny summers day for once.

Greg has been busy raiding the skips and retrieving tools that after minimal work look like new and can be offered for sale in the trusts shop at the station. A £150 income from the shop during the diesel gala and week is good for the trust.

A pair of stilsons and an engineers oil can nearly ready for sale.

I started on the donated Leckhampton Quarry rail track a wooden block levelled the concrete up then a shot blast of the worn pin and rail meant the pin could be welded in situ to make it safe as it fitted in a open ended hole..

Manufacture a stand and bond it to the rail to keep everything level and safe.

The Iron Horse Society delivered a distributor cap and rotor arm as ours was releasing electricity through the baker light and putting a hand near it resulted in a shock.

Greg has been busy forming metal for the cab floor frame this is in process of being welded up but at least the cab is now level and solidly mounted.

It was then a trip to Winchcombe to sort out some window rails in an old GWR line side shed, the rails have been made but need the ends cut to suit and the length reduced. The remains of the originals came out with a chisel and hammer.

The tin sheet will stay until the glazing is done

There is also one line side at Toddington that needs a new roof so a job for another day..

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Wednesday the 9th August and at last a dry day with blue sky.

first task was cleaning up the threads on the gate valve body bolts.

A two man lift and a car got the pump onto the station by the museum carriage where it was reassembled.

Later on it was identified and the casting words highlighted.

Greg had been skip dipping and found a child's toy from years ago.

He also found a guillotine in need of renovation.

This was lightly shot blasted, freed off and repainted.

Next was some off site work as Greg had sponsored some new road signage to help get more visitors into the railway.

The first got mounted on the old garden centre poles up the Stanway Road.

The second required some vegetation clearance on the Broadway Road.

when getting the car in to move the water valve I opened an old GWR gate and the rusted welds on the top hinge failed so Greg had a strip grind and reweld job on

An 1864 tin chest that has seen better days has been straightened out ready for cleaning and soldering

The dry weather suited the cleaning and welding the cab floor frame and bottom rear panel repair

The old lathe has stood untouched outside for a few months now and rust was taking hold again so a wire wheel in a drill followed by lanolin and it is looking better and getting near being moved to the Foss Cross building as a display item.