Home / Panel Reconstruction 58
Creation date / 2018
- Kevin Marsh supervises the works, enjoying a well-deserved sandwich while he does so!
- Meanwhile, Jamie Brooker installs and tests further inter-PCB wiring on the rear racks.
- ...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?!
- A view from the front this time; the cables running from the panel belie the works unfolding at the back desk...
- With more space cleared behind the panel, access to the racks becomes somewhat easier as more simulator works continue apace.
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- The wheels being removed, as the dismantling of the framework begins.
- 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.
- 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?
- As part of the lowering process, some rodding is now fed under the front of the panel by John Hill.
- With rodding in position, the trickier task comes of removing the rear girder through the double doors at a tight angle...
- ...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?
- Before long, the front girder of the framework is dragged outside, ready for its next use.
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- Not content with the panel covers, Peter starts cleaning away the years of dirt from the back desk, a longer-term restoration project.
- 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.
- 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!
- 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!
- 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.
- Jamie Brooker removes the vertical train describer plates and edging from the panel frontage, and begins the task of carefully sanding the timber framework.
- The end result - wonderfully clean and tidy framework, ready for re-varnishing.
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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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- Swindon panel 3 small
- Swindon panel 2 perspective corrected small
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- Swindon panel 1 small