Our winter roof work continues with Tim popping in on the 18th to prime B761651 and B771300

Following up on the 19th to apply the topcoat. This being Bostik Flexacryl, a fiber reinforced roof paint.

The 21st with Tim and I on site, B761651 and B771300 receiving bauxite to the hoops and noggin retainers before exiting the east end of the shed.

Rolling in from the west we have B777633 and B759852, our next two “victims”.

With B761651 and B771300 out in the sun we applied the final touches under the roof edges.

This completes Van one and twos roof work.

The 22nd was Maturday with B759852 receiving my attention, I started with the usual removal of the metal work. This one, however, decided to put up a fight, all bolts unfortunately had to be removed with an angle grinder. Some clearly being removed for the first time since BR ownership.

The roof sheet, was then removed, this one being of traditional roof canvas construction.

This revealed 2 planks requiring repair, the rotten wood was sawn off and new partial planks fitted.

At 3pm Jason arrived with M12x130 coach bolts required for the noggin retainers. This means we could continue with, what seems so familiar now, lorry curtain side draped, east end roof hoop fitted, weights fitted, west hoop fitted, noggin retaining plates fitted, weights removed, roof edge stapled and trimmed.

This means Van three sheeted and ready for paint.

The 23rd saw Jason, Mark and I on site. Jason and I applying primer to B759852.

With the primer application complete we helped Mark with B777633 removing the expired roof covering and rotten wood.

B777633 is an additional van that has not been in traffic but clearly in dire need of a roof repair. This along with two other vans will be our projects for the start of 2026.

Tim on site on the 26th completing the wood work of B785122, he also applied a coating of bitumastic paint to help preserve the wood.

The 29th and our scheduled working session for this weeks update, first a little distraction, the TPO group have been working on a project for our charter in January and needed a little space to progress, so to assist them Lilibet was used to move my 15ft Flat with Container.

This gave us an opportunity to pose Lilibet and Wilbur together, a little glimpse of what will be on offer at our Charter.

Back to Wansford and Jason and I applying the top coat to B785122

Tim and Paul completing the final wood work on B785122, final bolting of the roof edges, fitting wooden strips to the edging to take staples and fitment of the noggins.

Mark focused on B777633, removing felt nails and the noggin retaining bolts before being joined by Jason and I, after our painting exploits, to removed the roof hoops.

With Tim and Paul finished on 122, they swapped with Jason and I and began the wood work on 633, whilst we began the sheeting of 122, and once again, and in the same update this time, lorry curtain side draped, east end roof hoop fitted, weights fitted, west hoop fitted, noggin retaining plates fitted, weights removed, roof edge stapled and trimmed.

It was then back to 852 to apply bauxite to the roof hoops and noggin retainers, completing Van number three.

If that wasn’t enough, it was back to 122 for a coat of primer.

The 29th concluded with One in Grey, One in White and a little more wood on the other.

The 30th saw a scout party go in to see if 122 had dried over night. The report back was good, so Jason and I mobilised to paint the top coat on to the roof, completing the Van.

Four Vans Complete.

Finally, another reminder, our first event for 2026 is on sale, We see BR Standard 2MT 78019 join us running as 78064, the last Standard 2 built. Lilibet, my Scarab, as well as Wilbur my Morris Van and other vintage vehicles will be in action as we host our first evening shoot in Overton yard, more details and how to book is detailed on our events page:
https://nvrwagons.co.uk/courses-and-experiences/