Toplight Coach Group at the Swindon and Cricklade Steam Railway

GWR 7545 Toplight Coach Group News.

May 2005

We have made some progress with a number of items. The toilet doors have been completed at Farringdon Community college. One of these doors is original, the other is completely new as the original was missing.

The doors have been fitted with original locks and handles, The photos show, Andrew, Dave and Nathan who worked on them after school and during their lunchtimes.This team will shortly be starting work on the second battery box (the first one is already completed), they will also start work on the first of the outside doors.

At the SCR various parts have been removed for example the footsteps and guttering. The work has also continuing on the frames, 3 sections have been completed and two of these have had the 9mm marine plywood panelling applied. (See photo). We are using the best quality ply on the ends and medium quality on the sides. (Originally when the coach was new it was clad in 3/8" Mahogany panels.)
The coach originally had mouldings on the outside; these covered the joins on the panelling. We have made some patterns to the required shapes out of MDF and the mouldings themselves are being made of 3/8" thick utile or Brazilian Mahogany, as per how it was when new.
We are gradually working our way down the corridor side of the coach as and when time permits. We are aiming to complete the framing of this side (excluding the doors) by the end of this year.

We borrowed from the Severn Valley a brass capping strip that runs down each corner form the roof to the chassis. We have made a former to make new ones and they will be made in Swindon by Trevor Tremblin.
Another member of the SCR purchased (for £16) off EBay a door advert that would have been on the inside of the door (see photo). This will eventually be copied and we will fit them to the inside of the doors.

The building the coach is being restored in, is open to the public at weekends so if you want to see it then visit the Swindon and Cricklade Railway.

If you would like to get involved then contact James Faulkner on 07715 322241 or Nick Bailey on (01242) 604522 or email james75452000@yahoo.com . You don't need to have previous experience.


	GWR 7545 Toplight Coach Group News. May 2005 We have made some progress with a number of items. The toilet doors have been completed at Farringdon Community college. One of these doors is original, the other is completely new as the original was missing. The doors have been fitted with original locks and handles, The photos show, Andrew, Dave and Nathan who worked on them after school and during their lunchtimes.This team will shortly be starting work on the second battery box (the first one is already completed), they will also start work on the first of the outside doors. At the SCR various parts have been removed for example the footsteps and guttering. The work has also continuing on the frames, 3 sections have been completed and two of these have had the 9mm marine plywood panelling applied. (See photo). We are using the best quality ply on the ends and medium quality on the sides. (Originally when the coach was new it was clad in 3/8" Mahogany panels.) The coach originally had mouldings on the outside; these covered the joins on the panelling. We have made some patterns to the required shapes out of MDF and the mouldings themselves are being made of 3/8" thick utile or Brazilian Mahogany, as per how it was when new. We are gradually working our way down the corridor side of the coach as and when time permits. We are aiming to complete the framing of this side (excluding the doors) by the end of this year. We borrowed from the Severn Valley a brass capping strip that runs down each corner form the roof to the chassis. We have made a former to make new ones and they will be made in Swindon by Trevor Tremblin. Another member of the SCR purchased (for £16) off EBay a door advert that would have been on the inside of the door (see photo). This will eventually be copied and we will fit them to the inside of the doors. The building the coach is being restored in, is open to the public at weekends so if you want to see it then visit the Swindon and Cricklade Railway. If you would like to get involved then contact James Faulkner on 07715 322241 or Nick Bailey on (01242) 604522 or email james75452000@yahoo.com . You don't need to have previous experience.