ONE LARGE DOLLOP OR TWO SMALL?
'One large dollop or two small '- the cry goes up from the Carriage Cleaning Team. This of course refers to the amount of vehicle transport cleaning fluid that is required to loosen the grime on our carriages. We have, probably, the best sets of carriages in everyday use in the heritage railway industry in the British Isles (standard or, dare I say it, narrow gauge) - something of which we are justly proud. Once a month a select but growing band of workers take it upon themselves to clean the current passenger set, keeping the carriages in the immaculate condition that our visitiors expect.
Roger MacDonald wields the hose pipe - the first stage of the cleaning process.

Our simple process ensures that the carriage side is first hosed down and then gently attacked with a soapy cleaning solution by a team of brush welders who gently scrub the carriage clean. The grime mysteriously disappears and the carriages are air-dried. It takes about an hour to clean one side of the carriage set and we try to clean both sides once a month. And what a difference it makes! It is most pleasing when our passengers comment so favourably on the carriages in which they ride. Look out for the 2008 Roster Request form if you would like to join the Carriage Cleaning Team or contact us via the office at Havenstreet Station. It is good fun and you will be made most welcome and possibly a little wet!
David Bradley tackles the grime.
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Page last modified 18/11/07.
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