Work in the new C&W Workshop during March has continued apace. On 15th March the body of LCDR four wheel Composite No.6378 was lifted onto the previously prepared ex-PMV underframe. All of the steel Southern Railway applied sheeting has since been removed. The exposed woodwork has revealed that the coach had been repainted in Southern Railway livery prior to it's transfer to the Island in 1930. The wooden panels in the lower half of the body had been replaced with steel sheeting and the mouldings reapplied, whereas above the waist line the steel sheet was attached over the existing wooden panels. The general indication is that the body is in good condition and restoration work has already begun. This is the first vehicle to be restored as part of the HLF restoration Programme which also funded the building of our new workshop.

LCDR Composite 6378 in the C&W Workshop on 28th March 2004 with all steel sheeting removed. Note that the remains of the word 'Railway', evidence of Southern Railway livery, can be seen on the cantrail panel at the far right, see the enlarged section below.

On 25th March 1909 built LBSCR Single Bolster, No.59038, was moved from the Barn Field into the workshop and work commenced on its restoration. This will be the third such vehicle to be fully restored by the C&W team. Routine winter maintenance has continued with various vehicles having attention to their bodywork and underframes.

Conditions in the new C&W Workshop are ideal for our restoration and maintenance work, morale within the team is high as a result of our much improved working environment. The C&W team will welcome additional volunteers who want to join in the work in our new premises.