Repairs and a new build

The B&S gang are now refreshing the Flag and Whistle building on the outside, which needs a periodical repaint.

The boarding along the top of the southern, sun facing section has been taken off. You can see how the paint urgently needs to be refreshed underneath.

Although this is not facing the customers so much (being behind the office) it all needs doing, and that's a nice coat of brown paint going on there already. They've even got a scaffolding tower to get to the highest bits.

Of course, the idea is to stand on top of the scaffolding tower, not underneath it....

Here, some of the boards being taken down reveal doors and windows that were in use when the building had a different function. Did you know that they were there?

Down below, new boards are being cut to size, as each one has to be made to fit its own particular place.

The final touch of course is a nice shiny coat of dark brown, here being applied to the lighter undercoat by Mick.

While the gang was at Toddington, they also gave the 'pods' a new coat of waterproof paint, as you can see here. The relentless sunshine we have in Gloucestershire (don't laugh) does attack south facing facades, roofs and the tops of the carriages.

New visitor centre

The builders continue to make rapid progress here.

The internal concrete block walls are going up between the steel uprights.

This is more striking from the car park side, where the building is much higher.

What is underneath the black plastic then?

The black plastic was lifted, specially for the blog followers.

It's the start of the external cladding in Bradstone. The fresh pointing still has to go off, so it will look lighter.

The shape of the windows is also apparent.

A test area for the colour of the pointing was prepared on one side. The LH side is a paler colour, while the RH side is a pinkier style. The pale colour was selected for the building.

The floor goes in

A concrete block all has been built at the rear, car park side, and last week the floor went in to the new building.

The floor at platform level.

Lots of concrete and steel. A second floor is also prepared.

On Sunday, the diesel service hauled by the green class 37 enters Winchcombe station.

Note the new, short signals and the repeaters at the platform ends.

Speaking to a few volunteers, the green class 37 seems to be quite well respected.  We can see why, with its immaculate paintowork, shiny metalwork and appropriate rake of coaches. Like a vintage car, but much bigger. Well done, the diesel guys!

You like GWR steam too? Well, here is the crossing train, setting off from the just released signal as Dinmore enters platform 1.