Summer 2026
Flushed with success at getting the east end gangway hung, we repeated the procedure at the west end. There was a great deal of blue language involved when trying to get the bolts up through the lower hangers into the plate frame plus getting the nuts on the bolts. We managed eventually.
The roof scaffolding which had been erected during the scaffolding competence course over the west end of GSWR 731 was then moved (with considerable difficulty) to the east end of 1002. This allowed safe access to the roof at that end so we could try to remove the toilet tank filling "turret". This needed replication as the one for the east end toilet was missing and there was not one above 62515's toilet at all. The water filling pipes are attached to this turret.
Work re-started on the west toilet which had been left un-plumbed. The toilet pan with its rather
interesting discharge valve was secured in place after the original toilet seat and cover had been unearthed, cleaned up and varnished,
then put in place to get the correct spacing of the pan from the wall. A cistern of considerable vintage was found and this was adapted
for use in this toilet. It was galvanised steel in construction, but application of copper paint soon made it look much more
like the original.
Please don't forget the Gresley TK appeal - every penny counts!
