2007 ended on a high note with the completion of two vehicles. They were released into traffic in time to be used over the Christmas period. There is nothing more satisfying than to see all our hard work come to fruition, and refurbished vehicles in use carrying fare paying passengers.

Firstly, the ex-S.R. 'Queen Mary' Brake van 56305 was completed by mid December. When we started work on it in October, there was a list of things which had to be done, before it could go into use. The floor was rotten throughout. That was easily taken up, and what was left made an excellent bonfire. A new floor of planking in the cabin, and marine ply at each end soon sorted that out.

One of the two 18" brake cylinders was not working, so that had to taken off and was replaced by a spare one that we had already overhauled. The van was repainted inside and out; BR bauxite replaced EWS maroon and yellow. There was talk of repainting into original Southern colours, but it was felt on balance that it would get more use on demonstration freight trains if it was in bauxite. The axleboxes were stripped, cleaned and filled with fresh oil. Most off the step boards were replaced, as they were also rotten. By mid December all was completed, and it was ready to go. It went into use on the Diesel Gala.

Secondly, the TSO (Tourist Second Open) 4763 was completed in time to go into use for the 'Christmas Cracker' gala weekend. In all this coach has taken us well over a year to refurbish. We purchased it from the Paignton & Dartmouth Railway in 2004, in a complete, but much neglected condition. You may recall that amongst other things, we had to replace all six passenger doors as the originals were completely rotten. We also had to remove one of the toilet floors to replace a rotten section of the brake pipe.

It was noticed during overhaul that the suspension was a bit 'bouncy'. To rectify this, it was necessary to tighten up and reset not just the primary leaf springs as we have done in the past. On this coach, the secondary sprung bolsters were also adjusted, and this had the effect of firming everything up.

Well, on the first day of the gala we took a ride in it up to Toddington to 'test it out', and everyone pronounced themselves well satisfied. It joins the carmine & cream rake, and will give us greater operational flexibility; not least in that that rake can now be used for Fish & Chip trains next year. I have attached photos. Check out the newly reupholstered interior. I think that you will agree that it looks rather smart.

Work has also been continuing on other fronts. The badly rusted and burned roof section from the ex-Irish steam Heat Van was removed, and sent away to a specialist steel fabrication company for repair. It returned in mid December, and is being cleaned up and painted ready to be replaced shortly.

As this coach should run on B5 bogies, arrangements are in hand to remove a pair from under one of the newly arrived mail vans, and fit them underneath. The bogies it is sitting on at present belong to VSOE (The Orient Express) and they want them back.

The BR Brake van number 954962 is now making rapid progress. The great majority of the body side planking has now been replaced with new. New floors are fitted, and the roof is about to be repaired. Very little of the original external woodwork is left. It was not realised initially in just how bad a condition it was. When that is completed in the early part of next year, there will be a choice of brake vans to use in galas, and on other occasions.

Last, but not least, great progress is being made on the TSO 5042 in our shed. This is being steadily refurbished and will be outshopped in maroon. Externally, much of the bodywork is completed. You may recall that four of the passenger doors were missing when it arrived, as well as most of the windows. They have all now been replaced.

All the seating has been removed for replacement. The lino flooring was in a very poor condition, so it has all been taken up - a first for us - and will be replaced with new. At the toilet end, much of the vestibule floor was rotten. This has been taken up, and it has been decided to remove one toilet completely, as this vestibule area can more usefully be used for storage of buggies and push chairs. Work now continues on cleaning, repairing, repainting and generally refurbishing the interior.

Finally, visitors to our workshop will have seen BSO (Brake Second Open) 9000 standing outside; having been rescued from the sidings. This is going to be refurbished, and hopefully much of the work will be done this year. It looks very dilapidated at present, but it is structurally sound and dry inside. This coach (formerly 9276) was converted to a Micro Buffet in the 1980's to work in Scotland. One seating bay was removed, and a counter was installed for a catering trolley.

Although not needed as a buffet, first thoughts are that we should keep that layout when it is refurbished. Various organisations use our trains for special days, and a counter would provide a place where societies could sell magazines and memorabilia, rather than just take up a seating bay as happens at present. The plan is to outshop this coach into chocolate & cream to replace BSK 34676 which has given nearly twenty years sterling service and needs a major refurbishment shortly.