StoneRoad2013's photos with the keyword: RERM

An idea of what the final result will look like at Ravenglass. This needs a couple of warm days before being taken apart, moved then rebuilt. The roof planks are being glossed on the benches nearer the camera, they needed several coats to achieve the full benefit of the pale colour.

One of the replica planks with an air vent section, copied from the original. This is the white undercoat for the interior gloss, a very pale cream. Note 1: The upper section is original timber, conserved rather than painted to distinguish original from replica material. Note 2: The coach was built in 1877, the "Brilliant White" so very prominent these days was not invented until much later with the advent of tioxide based pigments.

Further progress with the structural dry build, more waist rails and cross bracing have appeared, as have further sections of the cant rail - including a short section of original that is not attached to any bodywork.

The addition of the new and original roof sticks, and the new end arch have increased the stability in some areas, but the inclusion of the "walk-through" openings have had the opposite effect. Some of the structural frame braces have been included. It begins to look like a carriage again.

Early stages of the structural dry build, having incorporated the useable original sections, still without the cant rail so rather unsteady. Before this can be glued and screwed together, the tricky problem of moving to and rebuilding at Ravenglass must be considered.

Dry fitting the roof planks. Our standard practice is to paint roof planks and sticks up to the gloss coats before final assembly, it gives a much neater finish. Note: the wavy join between replica and original planking, again, maximising retention of original material.

Considerable progress has been made in attaching the planking to the structural frames, and beginning the preparation for painting. Unfortunately, some these planks were affected by knots and these must be attended to before painting can proceed. Tony is working on this process. Note that the bottom plank is not yet fitted (there is a reason)

The original door frame has been repaired (removing as little original material as will permit a safe result) to restore the proper dimensions. The chamfers have been added but the through tenons have not yet been trimmed flush to the frame. The curved section, just below the window, has had several latching / locking arrangements over the years. Unfortunately, the T- bar style latch from the service era has disappeared.

Finally, got the planking on the original door, just need to trim that tenon down flush.

Joining the new timber framework - produced at the nominal dimensions - to the time-worn existing ie original material shows up some areas of wear / damage / alterations.

A brief interlude of simple work - laying the floor planks. A neat and satisfying job.

A couple of days ago, the new door had the planking attached. It now needs some excess length of the styles and tenons trimming to their proper size. Also, it needs hanging, painting and glazing at some stage ...

Further progress on repairing the roof sticks, these four have had the nail holes cored out and repairs made - some of the repairs to the tenons for the cant rail joints are yet to be completed. The large piece of timber to the right, with another roof stick on top will shortly be shaped into a new roof stick, using one of the repaired ones as a template, four are required, plus an end arch.

The deep red undercoat for the "Furness Red" gloss livery. This is a complex area to paint and the timber is still subject to movement.

In between some other tasks, a new door frame has been built. It now needs planking and some excess length of styles and tenons trimming to length. Also, it will need hanging, painting and glazing at some stage ...

Stockpiled roof planks, to paint these many planks needs more space than you might imagine.

Painting the gloss coats, a pale cream, over the new material - including the roof sticks. Some items still in undercoat, but not for long - camera grabbed on the coffee break !

The "Big Saloon" was built as an exterior framed coach, thus the bodywork is attached to the inside face of the structure. This is the more complete side, with only one of the three "walk-through" access points (just out of image at the left), the far side has the others.