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→Carriage works facilities: date of the paint shop
In Autumn 1986 the "Stock and Shares" [[:Category:SVR fundraising lotteries|SVRA raffle]] raised funds for fitting out the goods shed as a carriage works, which were used to purchase a set of carriage lifting jacks for jacking up carriages for bogie overhauls.<ref>SVR News 81, 82</ref>
Fitting out continued through 1987 as Pickfords gradually vacated the building and offices, with the ground floor plan including a compressor room, a machine shop, a sheet metal shop (to be used as a fabrication shop) and a joinery shop. A mezzanine floor is used for storage, serviced by a goods lift. Tracks were laid into the building with [[GWR 9627 Restaurant Third]] becoming the first carriage to enter and be lifted in February 1988.<ref>SVR News 88, “North "North Star Carriage Works”Works", Colin Jenkins</ref> In spring 1997 the north end of the North Star Works was fitted out as a paint shop and two new permanent staff (including [[Hugh McQuade]]) taken on to man it.<ref>SVR News 122</ref>
The works has two dynamo test rigs, dating from around 1898, which are still in use for servicing the dynamos fitted to carriages to charge their batteries. The blue bulbs used in the test rigs, which still work, were LMS 1941 wartime issue for coach blackout precautions.<ref>Notice on the test rigs</ref> They were acquired from the LMS Wolverton Works and installed in the North Star Works during 2005-06.<ref>SVR News 152</ref>
