Thursday 22nd
The Thursday group continued work at Ongar, continuing work on the various projects. The Thursday gang often concentrate on a number of the engineering tasks that need to be tackled before re-opening, and Thursday saw the team complete the feed to the workshop and the engine shed, enabling the new pit lights and power sockets to be used. This will help the teams undertake works on the underframes and running gear of the various coaches and engines. Meanwhile a number of the team worked on returning the works unit “Badger” back into traffic, undertaking repair work to the driver’s seat and also attending to the braking system, replacing the original arrangement with easier to obtain standard car parts.
Other members of the team continued the Ongar station restoration, tackling some of the graffiti on the brickwork and continuing the station decoration.
Saturday 24th
The signals gang worked up at North Weald, continuing the work on connecting up the signalbox and its interlocking. This included testing of the electrical power systems. The team also viewed the progress being made by the contractors as they work to finish the Up platform as we get ready to connect up the tracks through the station.
Sunday 25th
The track gang worked out at North Weald, attending to the track defects in the North Weald area and also replacing a few rotten sleepers on the Up loop road.
Tuesday 27th
The Tue gang continued work on the restoration of Ongar station, in particular working on the Parcel’s Office (which is being restored so it can be used as a museum and educational display area), and also preparing the original side gate for repainting. Meanwhile the damp issue in the Taxi office was tackled on Monday and Tuesday saw the affected areas given a first coat to the walls as we work to finish this room.