Now with decent painting weather available, work could progress on this rake once more after another long pause...
Roofs
Roofs had all their German vents pulled off and the two chimney sockets hacksawed off. Plasticard was glued underneath each socket and hole, creating a 'dead end' in the plastic roof. The roofs were then sanded flat. Finally a load of ISO Carfiller was smotered over the gaps to create several areas of hardened plastic, in peaks and ridges, but importantly, covering over the holes. These were sanded down flat, as per the above photo.
Finally, a set of GWR Coach vents were glued on using Gorilla Glue and allowed to set on the now totally smooth and solid roofs. That was followed by 3 coats of Halfords grey primer, and 4 coachs each of Halfords Renault Glacier White.
The observant amongst you might spot that there are seven vents on three roofs - one vent per window on each side as per many prototypes but one vent has eight vents. This is the Guard composite - four are in line with the windows in the passenger section, and the four closer together are the Guards and luggage section.
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In tandem, the Guards Composite Body finally received its compartment doors.
This is simply, two sets of finely thin plasticard cut out, primed and painted in the Halfords Primula Yellow. Handles to be attached via glue.
Next, the Guards composite only today received its chocolate lower coat.
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The three main coaches, having now had transfers and protective lacquer, were essentially complete. Time to bring out the box that had all the parts in during the storage period. Cue a fifty plus piece jigsaw puzzle over the floor of my living room...!
Seen
after the glazing was matched to the window frames, and each window frame and glazing set was matched to an opposite to create three pairs of full glazing and window frame lines, to fit in each carriage. You can see how these window frames have been painted burgundy red / maroon to match GWR practice, both mainline and Welshpool and Llanfair especially.
On the three main coaches, the bodies have been lacquered and roofs painted, merely awaiting lacquering. With that, they were rebuilt with all the bits inside - the seating pieces screwed back in, followed by the glazing slid and pushfitted into place, restoring the stiffness of the bodywork.
A preview of what is on the way.
As seen elsewhere, rakes that have already been finished look fantastic when repainted and made garden railworthy. 
