June News Part 2

The blog is a few days later than normal – this is due to the unforeseen “Diesel Gricing” (derived from the latin term “Dieselia Gricium” which in turn translates as “disease of the afflicted”) of the author who decided that this unhealthy pursuit took priority over updating these pages. However the Brake Third, E43357, was in service and received many favourable comments. It looked particularly good coupled behind the Green liveried Class 31, recreating a Kings Cross suburban scene accurately. The three folding station information boards for the stations and board for the Gresley Buffet Car (Described in May News Part 3) also saw their first use in anger, updating visitors on the status of the services and other important information during the gala.

Information boards, complete and ready for traffic

Midland Railway (later M&GN) 1886 6 Wheel Picnic Saloon 3

Rubbing down in preparation for varnishing continues.

Great Northern Railway (later M&GN) 1887 6 Wheel Third 129

The new chassis being adapted for use under 129 has had more items removed from the PMV underframe. Some trussing has now been consigned to history and the vehicle is looking less like a PMV by the day. Some vacuum cylinder brackets have been relocated to a more appropriate position for its new use, and bits of the chassis are starting to be prepared for refixing in their new positions.

British Railways 1957 Mark 1 Tourist Second Open E4641

The section of wooden floor removed last week has seen a good deal of the replacement metal for the floor supports completed. Some of these were virtually missing; such was the rampant corrosion, so were required to be included in the steel re-skinning work. Further down the coach, our ever reliable pair of volunteers have carried on stripping old paint off the sides of the coach, they are now about half way down the section they are working on (A picture of them undertaking this work was included in May News Part 3).

Replacement metal going into the floor

British Railways 1958 Mark 1 Brake Composite Corridor NE21224

As mentioned last week, the asbestos insulation stripping has been completed on this carriage by the specialist contractors; the coach is now stood outside awaiting a return to storage now that the asbestos “poly-tent” has been dismantled and the coach declared clear.

British Railways 1955 Mark 1 Suburban Composite Lavatory E43041

The coach has been on the jacks all week, and the asbestos contractors have constructed a very elaborate “tent” underneath the carriage creating an air tight sealed area in which to remove the asbestos which is present underneath the coach, mainly around the heating pipes and connections. These zones are the subject of stringent testing and ordinary staff are keeping away to leave the contractors to do what they do best! The asbestos stripping itself is due to start shortly. Meanwhile, the two bogies which have been outside have started being stripped down for the brake-gear to be checked and overhauled. It has not yet been decided if these bogies are being cleaned right down and repainted black, as was done with W46139.

The sealed zone under construction

British Railways 1954 Mark 1 Suburban Third W46139

With the carriage still at Bridge Road sheds, progress on the vehicle has been solely the continuation of the seat reupholstery, which is progressing well.

Repuholstered side panels for the seating, complete with armrests

British Railways 1955 Mark 1 Suburban Third Lavatory Open E48001

Woodwork from inside the toilets continues to be machined, and some original pieces (which were found to be restorable) such as the towel rack have been stripped of old varnish. Meanwhile, the interior window woodwork edges ever closer to completion of varnishing.

British Railways 1958 Class 101 Railcar Driving Motor Brake Second M51192

This vehicle has benefited from an external improvement just in time for the diesel gala. The 1990’s era front headlight has been removed from the cab end and replaced with an original pattern route indicator box to return it to the original 1960’s configuration.

M51192 showing its new "B2" route indicator box

British Railways 1957 Class 101 Railcar Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory E56062

The cleaning of the alloy window frames has been completed, which has really made a difference to how clean/tidy the exterior of the railcar looks. This has also heralded the start of the painting, and the entire vehicle has been undercoated this week.

E56062 is now in undercoat