So it comes to an end, both 2025 and our winter roof work. Over the past 9 weeks we have completed a fair amount of work which we are particularly proud of.

Although, first, we must go back to Monday 29th December 2025 with Mark, Tim and I on site.

Tim and Mark focusing on woodwork for both B774874 and B778019. B774874 having the bulk of its wood work complete, apart from 2 noggins. Whilst B778019 receives it first base layer of ply.

For me, my container BD 4304B, and a coat of BR Crimson, initially applied to the features and details, before the remaining larger flat areas.

It’s crazy to compare how faded it had become, although that is expected with 5 year old predominantly red paint. The images following the comparison being after its last repaint in July 2020 along with how it looked in July 2019 when I bought it. A year between purchase and completed restoration? I think something around that time may have slowed work a little.

The 30th with Mark and Tim continuing the woodwork, the final capping layer being applied to B778019 and both vans receiving a layer of bitumastic paint.

The final woodworking task being 3 new noggins, 2 for B774874 and 1 for B778019.

I did pop in for 4 hours to carry out a spot of signwriting, on a non running van, B777654.

Followed by more signwriting on New Year’s Eve, this time my Crimson Fiberglass Box.

After a couple of days off to see in the new year Maturday’s have returned as I spent the 3rd January 2026 sheeting the last vans of this Winter roof work.

B774874 and B778019 having one lorry sheet spread between them.

It’s at this point, I then dropped my phone from the top of the staging leaving me unable to capture any further images, although as these are the 9th and 10th roofs to be sheeted there are plenty of similar images across our other 4 updates.

Safe to say, these two are complete awaiting topcoat. (Images from my iPad).

My Container was also re-secured to the Conflat, that is after the lower frame was treated to a coat of black gloss.

Unfortunately I forgot my signwriting kit Saturday, so back in for an hour or so Sunday to complete the branding and apply lettering to the container plate over the doors.

Monday 5th saw a team of Paul, Steve, Stu and Tim pop into complete the roofs of B774874 and B778019. The final roof paint coat completing our 9 week residence in the Carriage shed. The team also packed and tidied our kit ready for us to vacate.

Friday the 9th we conducted our shunt to leave Wansford, get Overton ready for the charter and move a coach into the carriage shed. Unfortunately with our focus on the task in hand we did not record our exploits with digital pixels.

The 10th, and our organised session for this update and it was charter prep and “set dressing.

Set oiled, Scarab loaded, Vans tided, Posters fitted, yard cleared, trailers moved, vehicles warmed up. It was a full day of taking care of the little details, finishing with a trip to Wansford to replace 78019 with 78064.

The 11th and the culmination of our efforts, Photocharter day.

I’m sure the next few days will see what the participants managed to take away. Our thanks to those who attended and supported our event, whether, volunteer, customer, re-enactor, night shoot technical assist or vehicle owner. Without you it’s a fruitless exercise for us so again thank you.

Special mention to the TPO group, thank you for the hard work you guys put in to the Morris Commercial some unique cameos were created, we have a bright future for both groups at Overton.

If you are wishing to join us for an even we still have spaces on our Freight Experience with the Swindon Type 1 0-6-0 Diesel Hydraulic D9529 “Teddy Bear”
Follow the link below for more information and how to book:

https://nvrwagons.co.uk/courses-and-experiences/