What-ho, friends of Gordon! Greetings from Strawberry Hill. I hope that the New Year is treating you all well. As I type this, Minions Lynn and Lou are busy in the shed stripping seat backs; these are to be re-covered with fresh moquette to allow us to swap out some of the more tired trim onboard. It’s all about continuous improvement and making the unit look better and better for anyone who chooses to board it. And while they’re busy in the shed doing, I’m sat here typing on a keyboard to tell you about it.
Since we’re here, I’ll tell you that we’ve already had a delivery of new lino flooring material this morning as well as having eaten a rather good breakfast washed down with a mug of tea. It’s tough being the Writing Minion.
In the interests of not boring the pants off’ve you all (unless you’re already pantless, of course – not sure why you would be and, now I think about it, it’s probably best not to ask) I’ll give you all a brief update on the Winter Work Program:
1: There was an unplanned interruption in the shed 750 DC power supply. This has been corrected and we can now energise the unit again. Other work on the shed has progressed, including assessments on the shed lighting and heating systems. Components and overhauls on this equipment, as well as doors and windows, are ongoing.
2: Booked exams on the unit, halted while the shed traction power supply was unavailable, have restarted. Lead by Billy, Dan & Buckie, the unit is shortly to be back ‘in ticket’ and ready to be moved and used as required.
3: Internal upgrade ongoing as of this update includes –
New crew-door thresholds on 76262 to replace rotten originals, new guards door thresholds on 62236, heater grills being removed for cleaning and painting on 76262 (heaters to be cleared of dust etc at same time), life-expired draft welts on 62236/70797 to be removed and replaced, loose arms rests of seats through unit to be tightened, trim pieces on seating to be removed and recovered as required, flooring to be replaced as required through unit, P-Clean to be carried out on all vehicles, roofs to be examined with view to repainting.
4: Stores to be organised, labelled and racked. Wood store moved to allow new machine shop and wood-working shops to be established and installed.
5: General deep clean of shed.
Now, on to matters of a 2025 persuasion. Firstly I can confirm that 3417 is booked to make three appearances this year, and two of those appearances will be ‘in traffic’ – start saving your pennies up now! The third appearance will involve static display. We will have more news on this later in the year. We have also been approached for further appearances but, as things stand, neither finances or staffing will allow us to attend. We don’t like saying “No”, because we’ve found that nothing beats seeing the reaction to our work when the public see 3417 in the flesh for the first time. It really is a thrill that doesn’t get old. But if we haven’t enough money to keep the unit up to scratch, it can’t leave the shed.
If you want to see 3417 out to play, folks, your chance is here:
We know that is an age-old cry from every preservation group, and we are no different to anyone else; we can’t take 3417 out to play without money, and we need your help to provide that finance. We’re a small group and we have worked some fairly high-grade miracles to get what is effectively a 4-car passenger train INCLUDING a 1,000 horsepower electric locomotive up and running – the SETG has never been more than 20 people, and we’ve worked for 10 years work on a shoe-string to bring 3417 back to life. If everyone reading this were to contribute £5.00 per month to the SETG it would be a major shot in the arm. £4.79 is the average price of a pint of beer in the UK.
500 readers each giving £5 (call it a pint and a small bag of crisps) would put £2,500 per month into our coffers. 1000 readers would mean £5,000…. We know it’s a big ask. But from small and mad idea we’ve grown a support group, restored a train and gained thousands of followers.
You have all helped make the SETG Dream a reality. Now we need to keep that dream alive….
Righto – enough writing. I need to go and get my hands dirty. Time to strip a few seat backs.
Have a good day, everyone – keep your eyes peeled for 4VEP announcements in the coming weeks, and don’t forget – Gordon would like a pint!
#PintForTheVEP