We were very lucky with the weather during workweek, which enabled a number of outdoor projects to be undertaken. Our shed in the Up Yard was re-roofed following recent high winds and now looks much smarter and is, hopefully, rainproof again. Other departments had similar ideas, as everywhere you looked there seemed to be someone on high. The second hand bookshop was re-felted and a number of coaches and wagons received attention, including the 6898 sales coach.

The rather ancient electrical controls to platform 2 and 3 and the Brill building were completely overhauled, although the Tardis (which held much of the equipment) had partial heart failure and is currently having major surgery. It will reappear in the spring looking smarter than ever before. The poster boards on the old station building have been refurbished or replaced, as have some of the signs and platform furniture. We are short of suitable (cheap or free) large posters to go on the boards so if you are a member of other preserved railways please ask if they have printed any this year. If so, I will be happy to put them in a prominent position.

We are also replacing the Quainton Road name boards with the first four due to go up in April or May. Virtually all of the picnic benches have been cleaned and treated with green preservative awaiting some sunshine and visitors.

Much work has been done in the Buffer Depot, including platform painting and white lining and lighting in the display vans. The video van is being repainted externally and looks very smart. The counter in refreshments has been repaired and extended following a disagreement with a hot pan and the staff hygiene qualification certificates have been tidied up.

The gardens appear to have survived the winter and spring bulbs are already out. The daffodils around the main car park entrance look particularly good.

As always, new faces are welcome on a Wednesday, so if you are free then why not come along and help? Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided and the world's problems solved!

Notes:
The text in this Quainton Railway Society publication was written in 2007 and so does not reflect events in the 7+ years since publication. The text and photographs are repeated verbatim from the original publication, with only a few minor grammar changes but some clarifying notes are added if deemed necessary. The photos from the original publication are provided as scans in this internet version of this long out of print publication.

Reference:
Parks and Gardens - Peter Hoskings, Chairman, Parks and Gardens - Quainton News No. 97 - April 2007