August in the WW wk3

reported 20 August

We at the Wailing Wall take 'Elf and Safetea' very seriously. Accordingly, today, we have spent a good portion of our valuable time, dismantling old Dexion shelving and replacing it with a steel cupboard, kindly supplied by Phil (The GPO). This new cupboard now holds our supply of paints and other flammable liquids, as required by HSE etc.

During this operation, we were asked to look into the provision of a length of corrugated flexible plastic piping, which was required to form an access point to a stop cock on one of the water feeds to the loco dept. Chris (The ASM/Director) did manage to find a large clay pipe, which was unfortunately deemed not viable. However, Bob (The Sterns Cottage resident) managed to secure a suitable length of plastic, which we will hopefully fit on Tuesday.

During the day, Arthur (The ICI Walker) was instrumental in removing much surplus materials to the metal skip, and timber to the loco wood store, despite frequent interruptions from The Pattern Shop Gnome.

Peter (The Painter) has continued his good work on the booking hall replacement window frame. Whilst Colin (The Fireman) had a short day due to a pressing engagement allegedly concerning much imbibing of the serious falling down water back home...

reported by Robin (The Dismantler)

reported 23 August

Contrary to the weather forecast, we had a full and productive day. We have finally finished and placed into service the much talked about latest bin surround. Only three to go.

The roof of the end room has now been part coated in its final black gloss finish, due to a combined effort from Colin (The Fireman), Adam (The Boy), and of course, yours truly.

Earlier in the day, Colin and Alan (Severn Trent) finished the repair to the water main outside the Pattern Shop - or, as it is soon to be known, 'The Gnomery' .. tee hee.

After completing the bin surround, I was able to apply the first of two coats of white gloss to the framing of the new Tickets & Trains sign, and also managed a first coat, also of white gloss, to the resin letters of the sign.

During the morning, Alan (The Cricket) provided more pallet wood for the completion of the latest bin surround.

At lunchtime, Alan (The Cricket) and I were asked to attend a dangerous step on the internal staircase of the signal box. This involved removing a damaged cast 'non slip' stair tread and rotating it by 180 degrees. Considerable force was required to unscrew the offending part but, as is the way with these things, the Wailing Wall prevailed. Just goes to show that all our mantra signs do ring true in the final analysis. I speak of course of the WWCC legend, 'impossibilities we do at once', etc and, naturally, the 'Elf & Safetea' notiss.

Speaking of the Elf & Safetea notiss, today we had an enquiry from a member of the public, asking if we sold copies of the E&F notiss, as this lady's sister actually works for the HSE. Apparently the sister is going to come to the railway herself, to enjoy our humour first hand. I expect our fame will be global in a matter of days... Sounds like the Wailing Wall may have struck again...

We have today purchased on account from Jewson's two 8'x'4' sheets of thin plywood, together with two sheets of 50mm polystyrene foam, to start the insulation of the newly recreated stock room. These items are now in the store, under one of the WWCC's padlocks, until Saturday.

Now we need a large bag of sand and gravel (ballast) from William Williams, together with four bags of ordinary portland cement, in order that we can get started on replacing the concrete above the cellar drop in the Railway's Arms ASAP.

reported by Robin (The legend)