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- With Jamie's completed sanding and re-varnishing (needing several coats, of course!), Steve Gwinnett re-attaches the train describer plates to the front of the panel.
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- The end result - wonderfully clean and tidy framework, ready for re-varnishing.
- Jamie Brooker removes the vertical train describer plates and edging from the panel frontage, and begins the task of carefully sanding the timber framework.
- With kind permission from Network Rail, 50 base units and associated fitments are recovered from the old Stoke Gifford panel at Bristol PSB by Tom Yardley; note the 'Out Of Use' lights illuminated.
- Taken a mere ten days before the Grand Opening, the Swindon Panel Box plate is seen in its final position, with the home signal waiting to greet our first visitors!
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- Another key moment, as Laurence Stant completes the wiring-in of the final Printed Circuit Board (PCB) - a lasting testament to all those SPS members who gave up their time to solder all 350 of them!
- Another key moment, as Laurence Stant completes the wiring-in of the final Printed Circuit Board (PCB) - a lasting testament to all those SPS members who gave up their time to solder all 350 of them!
- The odd surprise while cleaning: behind one of the rear covers, just discernible in the dust, is the downbeat message 'We're not going anywhere'; the same certainly can't be said of SPS!
- As more space becomes available at the front of the panel, Peter Woodbridge continues with the unenviable task of cleaning the panel's front and rear metal covers.
- Not content with the panel covers, Peter starts cleaning away the years of dirt from the back desk, a longer-term restoration project.
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- Before long, the front girder of the framework is dragged outside, ready for its next use.
- ...which is quickly achieved, thanks to the number of GWS and SPS volunteers in attendance. I wonder what's behind the panel that they're all captivated by?
- With rodding in position, the trickier task comes of removing the rear girder through the double doors at a tight angle...
- As part of the lowering process, some rodding is now fed under the front of the panel by John Hill.
- 9th May: the day comes for moving the panel into its final postion - wheel the panel backwards, then remove the wheels, channelling and framework, and lower to the floor...sounds simple, doesn't it?
- The panel is shown having been wheeled back towards the rear wall, ensuring we've enough space in the future for easy maintenance, tooling, etc.
- The wheels being removed, as the dismantling of the framework begins.
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- GWS Civil Engineering Manager demonstrates the fully fitted-out double doors, set of keys in hand!
- An updated building front entrance view, as fencing and railing posts continue to be worked upon.
- Around the corner, a final view of the finished side walkway, complete with air-conditioning equipment (well-hidden from most views by the carefully-placed wall section on the left).
- Another great moment, as the reclaimed GW doors for the panel room are installed, with some fitments already in evidence.
- The Frome North Box plate is mounted to the wall, joining the growing number of restored Brunel Room exhibits.
- With the lamp post in shot, the sandbag wall for the air-raid shelter steps is rebuilt around the new electrics cabinet.
- David Brown and Richard Beacham tackle the installation of conduit through the lamp post, which will illuminate the way into the new centre.
- Not to be forgotten, the panel room suspended ceiling is pushed ever closer to completion, courtesy of Jamie Karslake.
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- Building works continue apace, as does work on the installation of new exhibits - these broad-gauge relics really do look the part!
- A view from the entrance foyer into the 'Brunel Room', as newly-redundant scaffolding makes its way out of the building.
- Excellent restoration is evident on these reclaimed GW doors, in readiness for their installation as our panel room external access doors.
- The previously-seen display boards are fitted into their final positions, with the displays themselves well underway.
- The panel room double doors' lintel is expertly fashioned.
- New boards are fabricated and painted, ready for future displays.
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- ...which in turn are linked into the building management system to keep us all cosy (especially in March!).
- The Bristol Room's well-disguised air-conditioning unit is also installed.
- Ever more ceiling tiles become fitted in place, with the 1980s panel room atmosphere truly starting to take shape.
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- With the air-conditioning units in, surrounding ceiling tiles start to be installed, having been cut to size accordingly.
- The result of very careful planning and design work, the new air conditioning units in the panel room are installed...
- With more space cleared behind the panel, access to the racks becomes somewhat easier as more simulator works continue apace.
- A view from the front this time; the cables running from the panel belie the works unfolding at the back desk...
- ...where Kevin Marsh toils with the technological side of the panel's operation, in readiness for anyone to 'have a go'. Enough screens there, Kev?!
- Meanwhile, Jamie Brooker installs and tests further inter-PCB wiring on the rear racks.
- More restored exhibits take their place in the Brunel Room.
- Kevin Marsh supervises the works, enjoying a well-deserved sandwich while he does so!
- Meanwhile, in the 'Bristol Room', Chris Chalet of the GWS Bristol Group continues the hard work of preparing the Bristol East Panel interactive exhibit - good stuff!
- As if the double doors weren't enough for the GWS volunteers, the simulator room's door is intalled, and just awaits some final fittings.
- The new roller shutter is installed behind the front doors, and is tested in situ.
- In readiness for the move, equipment and materials in store behind the panel are moved forward...just a few trips up to the new loft then!
- The main row of lights, which will sit directly above the Panel frontage, are installed prior to moving the panel to its final position.
- The second loft space (above the east end of the panel) is similarly fitted, meaning both loft spaces are nearly completed - excellent work!
- Let there be light! (2) - Stephen Lear admires the latest loft installation.
- Let there be light! (1) - GWS electrician David Brown test fits the first LED fitment to the Panel Room suspended ceiling.
- The rest of the ceiling tiles remain carefully stored, as installing the lighting fitments will come first.
- They say the camera never lies...yet, don't worry, the ceiling grid isn't bowed! Another panoramic shot from behind the Panel, looking towards the Bristol East Panel room.
- Now for some panoramic trickery! From a vantage point next to the window, the extent of the ceiling grid can be seen.
- From another angle, some ceiling tiles are already shown in final position - shows just how far we've all come.
- A taste of what's to come: in one day, the suspended ceiling grid is fitted to the Swindon Panel room.
- Meanwhile, electrician David continues to finalise the wiring in the early signalling area, in readiness for fitments.
- The Simulator Room as you've never seen it before! The walls are painted, the electrics tested, and the ceiling is up and plastered.
- Inside the Bristol East Panel room, the lamp body awaits its turn to be restored to working order.
- In the same day as the insulation being completed, the plasterboard is up to complete the second loft space - fantastic work!
- The front entrance continues to progress, the latest addition being the rather smart reclaimed railway lamppost on the right...looks like yet more work for David and fellow electricians!
- Yet there's no time to stop...attention is turned to the second loft space above the west-end of the Panel.
- Here's the result - all the insulation is completed, with one of the father & son team posing proudly by their efforts.
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- Success! This shot shows (just about!) all five VDUs working - another great step forward.
- More testing is done, seen here being carried out by James Nelhams and Tom Lane.
- After the all-too-brief respite of Christmas over, the team reassemble to reactivate more VDUs.
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- General exterior view
- The long view - Nov 2017
- General view of front of panel
- Rear of the panel
- Rear of the panel
- General view of panel room
- General exterior view from rear
- General exterior view from rear
- General view of building - front
- Just a little bit of sealing remaining at the front of the panel, to be completed the following evening...then a careful panel move backwards remains
- With cleaning done, Peter seals the remaining concrete floor space that was under the panel, while Paul reattaches 8-core cables to repaired circuit boards...watch out for that wet floor behind you Paul!
- With electronics work pushed on, time for a good tidy-up! Peter cleans while Paul tightens the supporting framework post-panel move forward
- Paul adds in new power jumper cables between the circuit boards, having crimped the ends
- Meanwhile, Peter continues the seemingly-unending task of soldering the 8-core cables to the tag blocks...yet the final tag block is coming into view!
- To prove it's not all soldering, cleaning, etc., Tom Lane diligently programmes each TC64 unit (communication unit between each circuit board & the simulator)
- Paul tackles the shelving move, cleaning & tidying our stocks; this will help allow the panel to be moved backwards to its final position in due course
- ...and are quickly put to good use, with several more input & output boards assembled, cleaned & tested
- More parts arrive, allowing the telephone concentrator keyboards to have complete button sets again - can you spot the new ones?
- Meanwhile, Peter continues to terminate the cables at the PCB end, in readiness for more testing
- Testing reaches Uffington loop...worthy of such a cake-based celebration! The look westwards shows just how far we've come