We had a good turnout this Saturday, and split into two groups.
The first continued the task of installing electrical bonds across rail joints in the station area. This week, it was the turn of platform two, so the first job was to pull the assorted collection of rolling stock off the freshly-ballasted track. That done, the petrol drill made short work of putting holes in the rails, and almost the entire length of the platform was completed, save for the headshunt, which is yet to be laid. The right tool makes light work, as they say.
Back in the shed, the north door from Hotchley Hill is only a week away from being ready to install. Having cut a galvanised steel plate to cover the hole over the new lock, we drilled and riveted through the outside of the door to secure it in place. This proved difficult, due to the narrow space available for fastening. We did eventually succeed though, and after giving the inside of the door a coat of oxide primer, turned it over to consider the other side of the hole.
The best way to cover this hole isn't entirely obvious. The original locks, long lost, were probably a snug fit. Cutting a plate to fit it exactly, however, would be a laborious process. Even after our efforts, the door is not exactly straight or square. It probably never was, although it's current form is an excellent fit for the frame it belongs to. Not wishing to spend days filing away the edges of a little steel plate, we went with the alternative of making a larger one to overlap the sides of the hole. This will not look perfectly original, but will be on the inside, and sufficiently in-keeping that we doubt anyone will ever notice!
Having said that was the easier option, it did still take the best part of the afternoon to cut the plate into the right shape. None of the edges are parallel or square, and it only aligns one way around, but in the orientation it fits, it fits very well.
Turning the door over again, we reached for the Oxford blue paint, and gave the door it's first coat on the outside. The idea is to install the door with one coat on each side, and save the second coat for a sunny day at Hotchley Hill. That way, we needn't worry too much about scuffs in transit.
Next week, we'll drill and screw the inside lock plate into place, and paint the inside of the door (also blue, as in BR days). Then it will be ready for hanging!
