Dear all
Many of you will know that today is Hanukkah and we have celebrated this day with a variety of activities that included the visit of Moonki Cho and Nanda Marri who are both studying for their masters degrees at Birmingham University's Railway Engineering department. When quizzed about the Christmas period, which you would think makes little sense to them, they and their fellow students from around the world including Indonesia and China had prepared a Christmas meal at the University featuring the cuisine from their native lands. I find it most encouraging we are part of this world of railways and we hope that our two people today will come up with a solution that enables us to pass trains at Shottle within a budget we can afford. At home we have a Hanukkah bush that closely resembles a Christmas tree.
The PWT set sail for Shottle with their Tool Van attached to the rear of a two car dmu following the failure of LJB and this is now safely berthed at Shottle having had its security beefed up and any valuable tools transported away from the vehicle. The team achieved a further three cuts in the former long welded section and accumulated some 3 tonnes of scrap for fundraising.
The Buffet Car received more attention to the doors on the east side that enables them to be opened for ventilation in warm weather, if you can remember that, but further painting was defeated by today's weather conditions. Another attempt will be made tomorrow. The bodywork repairs continue on the "Bubble Car" and an accommodation has be reached between the tow restorers.
The lone carriage cleaner was at work on the Santa train to ready it for its final task this Saturday and the son of the lone carriage cleaner has completed the repainting of the Mess Hall except for the skirting board and floor.
Martin
