Autumn/Winter 2020
Following the repanelling of the corridor side, attention turned to the four doors on that side. These still
carried the panels which were fitted during the 1972 restoration of 731, but the plywood was to a different
specification to the top quality – and very expensive – Class A marine ply which has been used for the panels
below the waist. Original G&SWR panelling remains on the top section of all these doors: unfortunately it has
been lost on all the doors but one on the compartment side.
However, the panel on Door 3 (We count from door 1 at the east end above the dynamo) was split and that would need to be replaced in any event. It was stripped, primed, and a new panel was cut and fitted, with considerable difficulty. Inspection of the old panel showed that all the 1972 panels were painted on the inside, and the decision was then taken to retain the 1972 material on the undamaged doors. This decision can be subsequently revisited if necessary. To ensure integrity, the nails which were originally used to fix the 1972 panels were removed and countersunk screws fitted and the screw heads filled and sanded.
All the corridor side long panels which were made up of two marine
ply sheets glued 
together,
were then filled where the nails and screws had been fitted and the whole side was sanded flush. The jointed
panels now resemble a single sheet as would originally have been the case. Following sanding, the corridor side
was brushed and washed clean and two coats of aluminium primer were applied. Additionally, a start was made on
trial fitting of the mouldings, which had previously been manufactured in one member’s home during the first
lockdown. All mouldings are now available, but the beading remains to be manufactured or procured: approximately
200 feet of inch and a half beading is required to complete the corridor side.
Then came Covid-19 lockdown Number Two: RATS!!!!