28th of March.

28th of March

Operation Sleeper( Phase 2, variant 7) was quickly done today, thanks to Tony, Brian, Darren and Joe(Guest star).Two cars and a van took 10 sleepers out to 53 as future foundations for the shed extension and the truck shed, many thanks to Volk's Railway for allowing us to take the sleepers.

23rd of March, including Darren's big bag of nuts!

23rd of March.

Despite being an extremely cold day, there were four of us out at 53. I got there late and fully expected to be the only one, but Brian from Hampshire turned up, as did Allan and Darren.We got to work on the rear floor at the back of 53, which is now done, we also started taking the left hand panelling off and Allan even managed to extract one of long bolts that clamps the platform steels to the main frame by the doors. It was very muddy and it must be mostly clay, not earth. I also manged to dig a small drainage ditch form the extension to the channel at the side of the building and am now thawing out at home!

21st of Feb

Have just received a good quality rust treatment through the post which is cheaper and better then the Halford's variety.I rang the H.M. Charities office to find out about the application and they are on strike! Have also started the ball rolling for on site insurance, something we do need, hope it is cheaper then the other quote. Work party this Sat, rain or shine, can anyone help us move the sleepers Thursday week, the 28th, we only have three of us, four makes it easier!! It would be a couple of trips from Kemptown to the site in Tony's majestic white van, please get in contact if you can!

17th of March

I was playing consumers at my local Aldi store yesterday when I noticed some large pallets in a skip by the store. Following orders from our works manager on using these for the floor of the shed, I went back during the hours of twilight and though some one else had been and seized some, I managed to seize a pallet and some lengths for 53.If any of you see a pallet, feel free, but do ask first! I have also had fun and games trying to buy a good rust treatment off the internet, still waiting as they suddenly sent back before I could collect it, doh.. next work party is next Saturday, the 23rd.I also had a brainwave, or seizure, depending on your view, why not use the wheels from 225 and press them down to 3 foot 6" for 53? Will need to check the size, but we know the axle is long enough. Will consult with our truck specialist to see if this is feasible...

10th of March, Special Notice!

Please note, next weeks work party has been changed to the Saturday after, the 23rd!!!

10th, the swing link truck in one piece, thanks to Darren for pictures.

9th of March, what we did.

Five volunteers out at 53 today, Tony B. dug up the ground in front of 53 for the extension of the shed, Brian Cooper ripped up floor boards in the saloon, Allan continued the side and floor boarding of the shed, Malcolm Chambers helped Brian and Darren started a detailed examination of the truck(Which is a Maley and Taunton swing link no less!). El Presi went between all of these.. a good day. With the floor gone, Allan can look at the steels and see if they need replacing, we also found half a ticket with the Greyhound Stadium advertised on the back, who dropped that and when?.

9th of March, work on 53.

6th of March

AGM is to be held at the Brighton Model Railway club,London Road Railway Station, Ditchling Rise, on Sunday the 21st April at 3pm, doors open 2.30pm.If you are not a member, but are thinking of joining, come along, members please make an effort, there is a lot to plan and vote on for the next stage. Please note work party IS ON this Saturday form 11 am, see you there!

3rd of March, of trucks and men!

3rd of March

Adrian Vaughan appeared on site today and spent four hours examining the construction and wood work of 53.Adrian is the man to rebuild the wooden structure of 53 and he will send us an estimate for each cab end and the saloon. This will give us an amount to think about and to present for a grant, this is the next stage and that is why we need people on the grant/sponsor trail, how about you? I did a little more rust proofing on the main frames and also wire brushed a small area of the truck and put rust goo on the area. It came up good, so shot blasting should reveal good metal!