At the end of last months report, I mentioned that we were working on the TSO (Tourist Second Open) 4772. Well, with the work going so well, I suggested that we should try and get it ready for use in the Santa trains. With just a fortnight to go, it now seems unlikely that it will be ready, as although a substantial amount has been achieved, there is still more to do.

I mentioned that we had got five doors working. The sixth occupied about three weekends, before we were able successfully to fit a replacement. The original one was so bad that it was thrown away, and we had very great difficulty and tried about eight of our spares before we found one to fit. Congratulations to Andy Thompson for his perseverance here.

Work has continued internally, and is virtually complete with just the assembly and fitting of the sixteen tables to go. Externally, one end still requires some work, and the painting is not quite complete. Richard Unitt our carriage painter has taken himself off to the West Indies to celebrate his 60th birthday, with the job not finished. Some people have no commitment!

The upholstery has been deep cleaned and looks a lot better, although it is inevitably worn in a few places. The plan is to reupholster a spare set of TSO seats over the next few months, and replace all the seating over the course of next year. By using the existing seating now, means that the coach will be available to be used until then.

Also in the shed is the Conflat (Container flat wagon), complete with Container. Work has just started on the external refurbishment of that. The GWR Mink G 112850 is also making good progress. The canvas roof sheet has now been fitted, and all bodywork repairs are virtually complete.

Once the TSO is finished, it will be replaced in the shed by one of the Chocolate & Cream service coaches 25451. This is an SK (Corridor Second) which was refurbished by us, and has been running continually for the last 10 years. It is understandably now in need of another refurbishment. It will re-emerge in Carmine & Cream and become the fifth vehicle in that rake.

Mentioning liveries, reminds me that if you have not already voted in our on-line carriage livery survey then now is the time to do so. We have had more than 200 votes cast so far, and many of them have been accompanied by some very nice comments. It is very interesting to see all the different views. The intention was to give you all a chance to participate and all your comments and votes will be taken into account. I have been genuinely pleased with the numbers of you who have taken part. Thank you.

Please however bear in mind that as it takes us at least six months to overhaul and refurbish a non-running coach, it will be about three years before we have a fourth full rake. Just in time for Broadway (hopefully!)

After Christmas, all our coaches will come down to Winchcombe, and we will have the chance to do some of the annual maintenance. Brakes will be adjusted, bearings greased, doors and droplights overhauled, and each one will be given its thorough annual examination. This year, for the second year running the Guards and TTI's are going to spend three weekends helping us by giving all service coaches a thorough clean, and helping with maintenance ready for the start of operations in 2005.