‘Bob’, a Job
‘Bob’, a Job
by: Peter A.
Despite many possible reasons not to go to ‘work’ today, a very satisfying number of volunteers assembled at Western Depot today.
Four of us arrived armed and ready to get on with the refurbishment of ‘Bob’. First and most essential action was to undertake the pyrotechnics necessary to entice the diesel heater to run. Heavy condensation dribbled off the superstructure and we needed heat to help the curing process of much paint that was about to be applied.
Working inside first, where both heat and dryness were more in evidence, the first coats of white, to the walls above the seats and then green for the seats and other low woodwork areas. This all took most of the morning and a bit of time after lunch. The outstanding task of completing the electrical connections to the water heater were also completed.
The low winter sun shone and this had the desired effect of getting us outside to set about the tedious scraping necessary to get the roof into a condition suitable for receiving the first coat of zinc primer. We tried a couple of power tool approaches, but these were no faster and did tend to bite into the metal, so we stuck with the manual method.
To our surprise, we actually managed to complete the scraping before the sun dropped below the tree line. This permitted us to get the roller out and get the roof zinc primed, which was a most satisfying achievement by the end of play today.
Such were the motivation levels in the team, we are going to return tomorrow and carry on. Getting a spell of fine weather like today’s at this time of year is quite rare and unreliable, so it is important to capitalise on it and make hay! So probably inside first, then outside for the afternoon.
