It seems like a while since we last had an update on the blog, so to redress things, here is an update on a ‘typical’ day in the RHEC…

Below: Two horse drawn vehicles have arrived in the Erecting shop for attention.  First up is the former Birmingham Coop bread van, previously overhauled by Stanegate Restorations and used for a number of seasons at Pockerley as a mobile catering venue.  It was always intended to signwrite it to match the bakery, and with the design for the latter’s packaging now complete and the Bakery due to open on the 12th September, this can now be carried out.  The van is also showing signs of two years in the open, so is receiving minor repairs and will be re-varnished.  The first step was to T-Cut the paintwork to see what condition it was in – Phil Anderson and Sarah Jarman are seen here at work on this stage.

Below: The second van is of unknown vintage and plays a supporting role in the catering.  It is ‘as arrived’ and is to be repainted following repairs.  The colour will be grey with a cream stripe, cream lining and black metalwork complete with signwritten products to suit.  The doors have had an amount of work carried out and some old and very crude repairs also require attention.  This will be carried out once the bread van is complete next week.

Below: The preparation of components for the chaldron waggons continues, with a large mass of metal, painted in red oxide, now ready for use.

Below: Tony at work on the door for the horse drawn van.  Once the chaldrons are completed and the numerous and varied smaller jobs out of the way, we aim to have the lower deck of Sheffield 264 in the Timber Shop in the autumn – provisionally targeted for completion by spiring 2015 (all being well of course…).  Sunderland 16 is also now making progress behind the scenes and the contractor who will re-tyre it is awaiting further details on the work from us.  The tram will also be re-varnished and receive ‘Binns’ adverts plus some other paintwork detail changes.

Below: Typical of the smaller repairs is this sort of thing, a patched repair carried out on the gutter strip on the bread van.

Below: By mid afternoon the outline of the lettering for the bread van was applied…

Below: … and the lettering, herron and some shading also added.  A total of three working days have been allocated to this mini-project and it is something that has already caused us to wonder how we ever used to manage without the RHEC facilities, staff and space to work in!