Another month is drawing to a close, but what a month it's been! The weather has been fantastic here all month, though we could have used a little more rain. With it being dry the grass isn't growing, so that's given me lots more time to spend working on the Trainbarn!
Coming into the month I was a bit stressed about all the small jobs that needed to be done in the 'barn, most of them involving me! But being able to spend enjoyable time on the various projects, I'm amazed at what has been achieved.
All the cables for the electrics have been run and the locations for all lighting and power have been prepared, which is a real milestone!
Not a good photo, but a big achievement! Eventually I plan to install a toilet here, but needed to frame up the 'room' now, in preparation for the plasterboard. It worked out great! So the 'workshop annex' is completely ready for the wall lining (gyprock) which unfortunately couldn't be done this month, but will happen early April. Then it's painting, architrave, carpeting and more electrics and voila, it'll be ready to use!!
Several years ago I was given some millwork for a double door opening, which I wrote about in this blog entitled 'the first piece', which it literally was. I've had time now to modify the framing and fit the door jam for the entryway from the reception area into the main display area, and have also (temporarily) fitted the millwork. It looks fantastic! I'm not sure that I would've thought of fitting something like this here if I hadn't been given it, but I'm so glad I did!
I've had the time to do lots of other small jobs too, and have enjoyed the process as much as the result. There's still a lot to do, but it is very much 'getting there'!
There's quite a lot happening with the Trainbarn this month, after a bit of a slow start to the year. All the electrical cabling is currently being installed, which in turn will allow the lining to be started. Now that's exciting!
I have installed a couple of enamel signs that I've had for years near the front doors, which was really fun and looks good. But the really big news is that on the weekend we collected the Platform Seat that I had ordered from Southcoast Nameboards a while back. It is absolutely sensational and I can totally recommend these, or any of their other products.
These seats are absolutely authentic, with the cast ends made from the original moulds that were used to make all the QR seats, the only difference is that these are cast aluminium now whereas the originals were cast iron.
It looks fantastic on the verandah of the Trainbarn and will, of course, be very useful!
A very interesting surprise was the opportunity to see the recently completed house of the owner of Southcoast Nameboards. It is a magnificent and totally authentic re-creation of the long-gone Southport (Qld) railway station, which was one of the more elaborate timber station buildings built by QR. I was really blown away, it was absolutely fantastic, but regrettably I didn't take any photos! An old postcard view of the original will have to surfice, but the front of the station (and house) is probably the most attractive aspect. Well done Chris and family!
We also had a very enjoyable drive out to get the seat. There's nothing we love more than getting out on the backroads of this beaut country!
So, things are going very well indeed this month, probably the next post will be about the start of the plasterboard lining, which as I've already said will be a really exciting step!
