I actually managed to convert my mission to collect rags at the stores into a bit of a skive, taking mental notes as I walked down 3 Bay gangway past Charlie Dixon's rev frame section. One of the three frames receiving attention from the build crew had been completed and was ready to float across the north end service road to truck build for the marriage ceremony. Immediately to the left against the bay dividing wall they built the cabs, and next to that lower works assembly onto which completed machinery decks would be mounted and cabbed up. The truck along with slide on side frame assemblies for tracks were prepared by Dick Doudell, a brawny no nonsense looking individual whom I would one day some time in the future be joining. It was at this stage, after top and bottom had been united, that front end equipment would be attached, after which the finished 38-RB would leave the place it was born to exit down the famous No 3 Bay ramp and out into Beevor Street to head for the test ground.

Next to No 3 bay erecting shop could be heard the constant grumble and rumble of two twenty ton gantry cranes generating gentle tremors through the ground as they rolled up and down the main component machine shop shop placing main revolving frame and truck castings on Webster & Bennett and Richards boring machines. W&B for vertical machining and the Richards for horizontal duty, machining them square and true for assembly. Having glanced in their direction I looked back to see a shaft of bright sunlight enveloping airborn dust and shinning on the industrial activity taking place on Dixon's patch. Three rev frames in a line with the recently completed one just being slung to float across and suspend over the truck ready for marrying. The two remaining frames would be moved up a stage very soon leaving room for the next base casting. This would be laid down inverted for underside prep' work to be done before arighting for bolting on the machinery side frames etc. Two slingers in the form of Beano and Nuryev were supervising attachment of the transfer rig comprising two custom slings to hang from the overhead gantries. Nuryev was busy with loops for the boom feet pins and Beano was quietly cursing custom fabricated diddley hooks under the rear end casting. Nuryev's given name was Wilf but we, or rather, I started to call him Nuryev because he always stood up on tippy toes in his hobnail boots to direct operations while making signalling pincer movements with his forefinger and thumb as his adams apple bounced up and down. Beano's given name was Batchelor? Typical Lincolnshire humour. I reached the north end service road and turned left to walk on to the stores and as I did so the signal was give by by Beano for the two 25 ton cranes working in tandem to commence lifting operations. On reaching target the machinery deck would be lowered to level over the centre post when assisting hands would slide hook roller pins into position. - But it was time for me to stop gawping and shift my arse before drumshaft crew sent out a search party. Think on lad, think on!

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