After eight years in traffic at the GWR the bodywork on 37215 has lasted extremely well considering it has to live in what can only be discribed as the middle of a field.

Anyway it was decided that this year that it had come to the point where all the corroision would be cut out of the loco ready for a repaint in early 2007.

Here are a selection of photographs of the work that has been undertaken so far.

Drivers side cab panel cut away at number two end waiting for a new steel panel to be weldeded in place

A close up of the main framework which has been treated with an anti-corrosive and waterproof bitumen paint.

A view of the floor under the drivers side.Here we found that their was quite extensive corrosion to the various air pipes where they pass through the subfloor. It has been decided to replace these pipes with flexible hoses which will not be prone to rusting and be under less stress than a rigid pipe when the loco is back in traffic.

Another photo of the floor removed, this time under the second mans side.

Finally this photo shows the secondmans side with the new timber window surrounds back in place and the drop light window refitted. Note the new window seals that have been fitted, although not exactly authentic, we hope will keep as much water out as possible.

This view shows Dave Hartwell doing the last bit of fine fettling before welding the last piece of new bodywork in place. Unfortunately the weather was not kind to us on this day with frequent heavy hail storms.

These two views show the completed secondmans cabside.It now just needs a few coats of paint to be as good as new.