On Tuesday 15th of November BSK 35329 became the first coach to be completed in the new carriage and wagon workshops at Ropley. Work carried out on this vehicle included two new complete ends, new centre pillars between the passenger doors and guards doors, repairs to doors, new floors throughout including a new concrete floor in the luggage area, repairs to the ceiling panels as well as a full repaint into southern green and a full bogie overhaul which was carried out by Alresford train care.
None of this work would have been possible without the generous donations of tools and materials which we have been collecting over the last year. I would like to take this oppotunity to thank all of the people that kindly donated to the carriage and wagon department and extend an invitation to them, if they are at Ropley to make themselves known and i will gladly show them around our new workshops and they can see for themselves their donated items being used.
A big thankyou to:
Chris Davies, Locksheath, Hampshire.
Joan Osbourne, Camberley, Surrey.
Jean Hole, Newhaven, Sussex.
Alan Gamblin, Alresford, Hampshire.
Eon Turner, Basingstoke, Hampshire.
Tony and Pat Austen, Alton, Hampshire.
Ian Stansford, Alton, Hampshire.
Dennis Wright, Finchampstead.
Mike Nicholle, Bentley, Hampshire.
Stevie Crowther, Selsey, Sussex.
Frank Chiverton, Winchester, Hampshire.
Derek Creesey, Four Marks, Hampshire.
David Booker, Chichester, Sussex.
Gary Appleton, East Meon, Hampshire.
Mrs Bryant, Wrecclesham, Surrey.
Nigel Harwood, Bitterne, Hampshire.
Christine Knight, Emsworth, Hampshire.
Many people have also donated anonymously and I thank them too. If you are not mentioned here and would like to be, please contact us through Rail Mail so we can add you to our roll of honour.
Once again many thanks from all of us in the carriage and wagon department.
John Wright