JimH

Not been around much lately and there hadn't been much progress because the signwriter had been delayed by other work. However, he is no longer been delayed and progress has now been made. So, how it started...
 
And as on a couple of days ago, how it's going...

To say we are quite pleased with how this has turned out is a slight to moderate understatement. 
 
It's been a non-trivial painting job because there is a lot going on with the lettering down the side. However, the overall effect seems to have been worth it.
 
 
Sadly, it's got done just in time for winter so it will probably not be out again until the weather warms up again. 

This is pretty much spot on. It wasn't that long ago that these things were still being cut up because while we could see the point of saving them it would have taken so much time and effort and many of the things you needed to be able to do were maybe not impossible but almost certainly improbable.  That attitude was easy to take because there was always something in better condition to use instead.
The well has been dry for a long time so people are having to take on bigger and bigger projects and as a result the collective capability has improved no end. On top of that modern technology helps no end too. 

This is pretty much spot on. It wasn't that long ago that these things were still being cut up because while we could see the point of saving them it would have taken so much time and effort and many of the things you needed to be able to do were maybe not impossible but almost certainly improbable.  That attitude was easy to take because there was always something in better condition to use instead.
The well has been dry for a long time so people are having to take on bigger and bigger projects and as a result the collective capability has improved no end. On top of that modern technology helps no end too. 

This is pretty much spot on. It wasn't that long ago that these things were still being cut up because while we could see the point of saving them it would have taken so much time and effort and many of the things you needed to be able to do were maybe not impossible but almost certainly improbable.  That attitude was easy to take because there was always something in better condition to use instead.
The well has been dry for a long time so people are having to take on bigger and bigger projects and as a result the collective capability has improved no end. On top of that modern technology helps no end too. 

This is pretty much spot on. It wasn't that long ago that these things were still being cut up because while we could see the point of saving them it would have taken so much time and effort and many of the things you needed to be able to do were maybe not impossible but almost certainly improbable.  That attitude was easy to take because there was always something in better condition to use instead.
The well has been dry for a long time so people are having to take on bigger and bigger projects and as a result the collective capability has improved no end. On top of that modern technology helps no end too. 

This is pretty much spot on. It wasn't that long ago that these things were still being cut up because while we could see the point of saving them it would have taken so much time and effort and many of the things you needed to be able to do were maybe not impossible but almost certainly improbable.  That attitude was easy to take because there was always something in better condition to use instead.
The well has been dry for a long time so people are having to take on bigger and bigger projects and as a result the collective capability has improved no end. On top of that modern technology helps no end too. 

This is pretty much spot on. It wasn't that long ago that these things were still being cut up because while we could see the point of saving them it would have taken so much time and effort and many of the things you needed to be able to do were maybe not impossible but almost certainly improbable.  That attitude was easy to take because there was always something in better condition to use instead.
The well has been dry for a long time so people are having to take on bigger and bigger projects and as a result the collective capability has improved no end. On top of that modern technology helps no end too. 

Not been around much lately and there hadn't been much progress because the signwriter had been delayed by other work. However, he is no longer been delayed and progress has now been made. So, how it started...
 
And as on a couple of days ago, how it's going...

To say we are quite pleased with how this has turned out is a slight to moderate understatement. 
 
It's been a non-trivial painting job because there is a lot going on with the lettering down the side. However, the overall effect seems to have been worth it.
 
 
Sadly, it's got done just in time for winter so it will probably not be out again until the weather warms up again. 

This is pretty much spot on. It wasn't that long ago that these things were still being cut up because while we could see the point of saving them it would have taken so much time and effort and many of the things you needed to be able to do were maybe not impossible but almost certainly improbable.  That attitude was easy to take because there was always something in better condition to use instead.
The well has been dry for a long time so people are having to take on bigger and bigger projects and as a result the collective capability has improved no end. On top of that modern technology helps no end too. 

This is pretty much spot on. It wasn't that long ago that these things were still being cut up because while we could see the point of saving them it would have taken so much time and effort and many of the things you needed to be able to do were maybe not impossible but almost certainly improbable.  That attitude was easy to take because there was always something in better condition to use instead.
The well has been dry for a long time so people are having to take on bigger and bigger projects and as a result the collective capability has improved no end. On top of that modern technology helps no end too. 

This is pretty much spot on. It wasn't that long ago that these things were still being cut up because while we could see the point of saving them it would have taken so much time and effort and many of the things you needed to be able to do were maybe not impossible but almost certainly improbable.  That attitude was easy to take because there was always something in better condition to use instead.
The well has been dry for a long time so people are having to take on bigger and bigger projects and as a result the collective capability has improved no end. On top of that modern technology helps no end too. 

I have read this thread on and off since the start.
Absolutely stunning work from the beginning. Cap doffed.

That is absolutely outstanding. 
Very definitely a limited number of places that can do this. I know of a couple in the railway world, naturally there is an awful lot of crossover in the skills required.
The good thing is that there is a steady flow of younger people interested in learning the skills required, so what were once considered ‘dying arts’ are now generally a little bit more healthy. Of course there are never enough new people, and opportunities to learn the skills as a proper trade rather than as an occasional volunteer aren’t all that easy to come by, but I’d say the capabilities to do this sort of thing are probably in a healthier state now than at any point in the last 40-50 years, especially as ever larger projects are taken on and overcome. These are the things that 40-50 years ago were deemed impossible, and naysayers have been proven wrong multiple times. 
And that’s a slight to moderate understatement regarding the degree of understatement I’m sure. 
Very well done to you and the team, and thanks for documenting the build here.

as others have said it looks magnificent! I cant wait to see it on the road and on the move  
the whole machine really is a credit to you and everyone involved! 

Not been around much lately and there hadn't been much progress because the signwriter had been delayed by other work. However, he is no longer been delayed and progress has now been made. So, how it started...
 
And as on a couple of days ago, how it's going...

To say we are quite pleased with how this has turned out is a slight to moderate understatement. 
 
It's been a non-trivial painting job because there is a lot going on with the lettering down the side. However, the overall effect seems to have been worth it.
 
 
Sadly, it's got done just in time for winter so it will probably not be out again until the weather warms up again. 

They always get sold once we are bored of them. The S4 has now been sold and will be going to its new owner soon. The Super won't be around forever. 
As for next the Merryweather needs its new boiler made so we can start playing with that again and I am still quite keen on doing this XI project. Now the S has gone that should fund something else. I'm quite keen on a Foden overtype but we shall see. 

Not been around much lately and there hadn't been much progress because the signwriter had been delayed by other work. However, he is no longer been delayed and progress has now been made. So, how it started...
 
And as on a couple of days ago, how it's going...

To say we are quite pleased with how this has turned out is a slight to moderate understatement. 
 
It's been a non-trivial painting job because there is a lot going on with the lettering down the side. However, the overall effect seems to have been worth it.
 
 
Sadly, it's got done just in time for winter so it will probably not be out again until the weather warms up again. 

Not been around much lately and there hadn't been much progress because the signwriter had been delayed by other work. However, he is no longer been delayed and progress has now been made. So, how it started...
 
And as on a couple of days ago, how it's going...

To say we are quite pleased with how this has turned out is a slight to moderate understatement. 
 
It's been a non-trivial painting job because there is a lot going on with the lettering down the side. However, the overall effect seems to have been worth it.
 
 
Sadly, it's got done just in time for winter so it will probably not be out again until the weather warms up again. 

Not been around much lately and there hadn't been much progress because the signwriter had been delayed by other work. However, he is no longer been delayed and progress has now been made. So, how it started...
 
And as on a couple of days ago, how it's going...

To say we are quite pleased with how this has turned out is a slight to moderate understatement. 
 
It's been a non-trivial painting job because there is a lot going on with the lettering down the side. However, the overall effect seems to have been worth it.
 
 
Sadly, it's got done just in time for winter so it will probably not be out again until the weather warms up again. 

And finally the other day it got dragged it outside to get some sun on its back.
 
 
 

Not been around much lately and there hadn't been much progress because the signwriter had been delayed by other work. However, he is no longer been delayed and progress has now been made. So, how it started...
 
And as on a couple of days ago, how it's going...

To say we are quite pleased with how this has turned out is a slight to moderate understatement. 
 
It's been a non-trivial painting job because there is a lot going on with the lettering down the side. However, the overall effect seems to have been worth it.
 
 
Sadly, it's got done just in time for winter so it will probably not be out again until the weather warms up again. 

It's pretty hot in the shed so painting is either done early on or late in the evening at the moment. That is pretty much all of the red done now so bits are starting to go back on for final touching in of bolt heads and the like. It took a while to get the head board back in place but I reckon it is all looking pretty purposeful now. That is the first coat of cream on the body as well. The cream band not only breaks up the side quite nicely it makes it look much older. Obviously it looks messy because the masking tape is still on it.
 
Better view from the nearside. The nearside door is back on as well so it is all looking very complete.
 
Rear wings varnished and ready to go on. There are a couple of extra steady brackets to make for these once they are in their final place. 
 
And the front wings in the same state. These might get some extra varnish once they are on to thicken up the coting where they get kicked as you clamber into the cab. We got those elevating trollies for about £25 at a fire sale when one of our clients shut down a factory. They are one of the handiest things we have. 
 
The tool lockers are back on and now they are in black they don't look too obvious. The door is still in undercoat which is why it looks slightly odd. 
 
They don't look too bad from the rear, either. The old man had fun painting the rear doors which aren't fiddly in the slightest. Once they have been top coated the LED rear lights can get popped in.
 
Now we just need to see when the signwriter chap can put in a visit.

Not been around much lately and there hadn't been much progress because the signwriter had been delayed by other work. However, he is no longer been delayed and progress has now been made. So, how it started...
 
And as on a couple of days ago, how it's going...

To say we are quite pleased with how this has turned out is a slight to moderate understatement. 
 
It's been a non-trivial painting job because there is a lot going on with the lettering down the side. However, the overall effect seems to have been worth it.
 
 
Sadly, it's got done just in time for winter so it will probably not be out again until the weather warms up again. 

Not been around much lately and there hadn't been much progress because the signwriter had been delayed by other work. However, he is no longer been delayed and progress has now been made. So, how it started...
 
And as on a couple of days ago, how it's going...

To say we are quite pleased with how this has turned out is a slight to moderate understatement. 
 
It's been a non-trivial painting job because there is a lot going on with the lettering down the side. However, the overall effect seems to have been worth it.
 
 
Sadly, it's got done just in time for winter so it will probably not be out again until the weather warms up again. 

And finally the other day it got dragged it outside to get some sun on its back.