Romantic, huh.
It was a really horrible job, years of dust and spiders web and, as it was 39 degrees outside and the cabin is the only room without insulation, it was REALLY hot in there despite the industrial sized fan I had going.
The cabin's woodwork was really well constructed. It took ages to get it apart.
I found a joiner's mark from 1984 and we noticed that there is some older woodwork that shows scorch marks so we think that there must have been a fire that damaged the original cabin and they had to replace it.
By the time Si got back I'd knocked out the top half, leaving the benches and the struts under the floor, which he knocked out himself using a crowbar (that I could really have done with having while he was away!).
Once all the woodwork was gone, it was amazing to see how much space had been wasted by the construction. It's actually really big in there. |
Simon then spent the next few days wire brushing, treating and priming the metal.
I thought the kids would be sad to see it all emptied out, especially Simon's youngest who always loved sleeping in the cabin, but they're all enthused by how big the room is now.
Meanwhile, have I mentioned that we've had the engine pulled?
It's been completely overhauled, has lots of new parts, the crank has been reground, polished and given new shells, every single part has been removed, cleaned and replaced... basically everything that could be done has been done. It's like a whole new engine and should be good to go for years without any problems.
It's taken ages, but now it's back together and is currently in ProRig's workshop being bench tested before being craned back into Thomas. It's very exciting, not least because we've not been able to take her out for ages and we miss pottering around on the river!
Having an empty engine room has given Simon the chance to do lots of work down there though, so he's cleaned it out thoroughly and repainted in there. It's looking very smart, and he's made a nice new hatch too. Clever old stick!
Did you notice the new fresh water tanks in the corner there? Simon's bought a black water tank too which is currently waiting for us at Tek Tanks.
Si's busy at the moment making a new frame for the floor in the bathroom (crew cabin). Let me tell you, to us this is VERY exciting!
