One of the operational fleet coaches receives attention to its braking system. This involves fitting a heavy, renovated cylinder. This replacement cylinder is being offered up into place prior for fitting - a tricky operation.

A task under way inside the shed, is working on carriage steam heating hoses and their connections. A breakdown here will cause some very chilly and unhappy passengers especially during this colder season of the year - and there's Santa to be consider too! Who wants to upset him?

Routine maintenance is being carried out on the Pullman coaches. These are in use throughout the year so finding a slot to service or repair these is always a delicate balancing act.

Despite this changed emphasis on priorities during the autumn, work continues on the other projects highlighted in previous updates. The Mark 1 (TSO No. 63) carriage has been a continued presence in the shed - here shown with the west end only partly clad with metal sheeting.

Progress continues with this end (No. 1 end) with metal work restored right across the end now.

....and then work commenced on repainting and restoring No. 63's corridor connections.

The Mark 1, now outside and bathed in weak winter sunshine, displays her new corridor connection.

Some restoration work has been necessary on the internal framework at the opposite end - shown here. However the corrosion was less severe at this end.

When time permits, or when volunteer help is available, work is being carried out on the interior of No. 63. In this shot, Julian is working on the vestibule / toilet floor area of No 1 end.

With the Mk one outside in the yard , Class 33 'Ashford' was admitted for repairs - especially round the cab window areas. Here the west end receives some patching up and then repainting.

See text in previous photo.

The 'east' end receives considerably more attention with new metal welded into the window pillars. The last shot shows glass once more filling the window area.

See text in previous photo.

The K&ESR Terrier magazine is a mine of information and I am indebted to that for learning that the coach tucked away on the shed's short bay line, is the GER Brake. In August '05 its doors were in place but rather 'keletal'.

This December shot shows that work has indeed progressed markedly.

The 'Terrier' also mentions the manufacture of new mouldings for one side of the GER coach. Does this C&W bench indicate that process is well under way?

The SE&CR birdcage coach's second bogie has been removed for overhaul although the actual coach still looks in a very early state of renovation.

However this impression is startlingly changed with this shot taken from the shed's upper gallery. The recent French exchange visit gave an opportunity, not only of preparation of some of the internal woodwork, but of panelling some of the exterior too.

Here is a close-up of one panel showing some of the work this entails.

And just to demonstrate that this progress is not all one sided, here's a ground floor view of the panelling work on the other side.

A different angle on the Birdcage workers - hard at it.

The high standards of the C&W department wins praise from many quarters - none more exalted than this man. Let's hope for Alan, Julian and the rest of the staff's sake, his Christmas specials are well catered for this season!