March News Part 3

The blog is back after a week’s holiday, so bumper progress to report on...

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

More progress inside and out. On the exterior, great steps have been made with the paintwork. The landward side crimson gloss is fully complete and the top half of the seaward side has been similarly treated. Additionally, this has cleared the way for the mouldings on the landward side to be glossed in black, which has changed the “look” of the coach again. Also on the outside, it has been discovered that the footboards of the vehicle are actually lower than the current set of brackets (ready to fit to the chassis) allow so these will have to be modified by the tame welder in the near future.

Black mouldings and a completed crimson side

Moving inside, two out of the six saloon lights have had specially made castings added to the rims which complete them nicely. The remaining four are still to be cast so will follow later. The two picnic tables have had a further coat of varnish, it is intended that the final coats are to be applied when the weather is slightly warmer. On the two passenger doors, the sliding ventilators have been fitted which brings the doors close to completion. Inevitably, we now move to the toilet where a light “mount” is being constructed. This is wedge shaped to fit into the curve of the ceiling and will ensure the (mock) gas lamp sits level.

A completed saloon light

Great Eastern Railway 1899 4 Wheel Brake Third 853

A sizeable amount of work has been done on this vehicle considering it is still locked away in storage. Preparations are being made on some metalwork which is already inside the workshop. A set of brackets which essentially hold the main springs for the axles have been salvaged off an ex Southern Railway PMV van, 1137, the chassis of which was scrapped long ago whilst the body survives as the headquarters of the permanent way department. These brackets require some remedial work however they have all been dismantled into their separate parts and two (out of eight) brackets have been shot blasted. Also salvaged, this time from a scrapped Class 101 DMU bogie, are eight threaded “eyes” that go through the brackets and form the adjustment for the springs. These have also been cleaned up and primed. Finally, there are two I shaped poles which fit on the backs of the seats and support the roof (remember there are only two passenger compartments in this vehicle) which again have been cleaned and primed.

The spring brackets (front), threaded "eyes" (at the back on the right) and I shaped poles (on top) for 853

British Railways 1957 Mark 1 Tourist Second Open E4641

A lot of work has been completed on our mainline Mark 1 overhaul. Our metalworker is doing a fine job ploughing through the previously unexpected corrosion which was discovered in the floor. This has been partially cut away in an area extending over two windows in the Holt/seaward area and new metal is replacing the old. It is very important to get these structural elements of the carriage repaired before any further steel panelling is attached.

Meanwhile volunteers have assisted in cleaning up more parts of the interior, with the aluminium luggage racks being polished to improve their appearance. Readers must now prepare themselves for the revelation that is Toilet-gate. During the ongoing reconstruction of the lavitorial area, the porcelain sink and toilet were removed from storage ready for reinstallation. However once the toilet was lined up and the “waste hole” cut into the new lino/floor, underneath was revealed an impenetrable steel section of the chassis about four inches below the pan (We were told heads would roll if the toilet was delayed!). A special design of chute is currently being investigated. The rest of the toilet by comparison is going well, with the window now installed and the window woodwork also fitted. A sink was cleaned up ready for fitting, but sadly it was discovered at the last minute that irreparable cracks would prevent it being used.

Toilet window now fitted

British Railways 1956 Mark 1 Suburban Brake Second E43357

With the beading finished in the guards van, this week has seen the wiring trunking finished, and additional trunking fitted for the guards lights. These lights have also been fitted and tested.

British Railways 1954 Mark 1 Suburban Second E46139

One bogie has now reached completion after being painted in black gloss and all the brakegear and axleboxes reassembled, adjusted and lubricated. It is now back under the carriage. The second bogie is not far being and is now also black glossed, with work on brakegear reassembly and axle restoration currently underway.

Completed interior

On the interior, the ceilings are now all in undercoat, having received two coats, and work is progressing on some crescent shaped panels which sit immediately next to the ceilings to bring them up to the same stage.

Hurst Nelson 1944 Fuel Oil Tanker 5304

All the brackets for the through vacuum pipe have now been completed following the application of black paint. All that remains now is the fitting of the pipe to the actual wagon.

Maintenance

Although not very exciting, the annual examinations of the running Mark 1’s based at Sheringham have been completed over several days. This includes (but isn’t limited to) examination of the buckeye couplings and running gear, oiling and adjusting of brakes, and other sundry tests. A fair amount of work was flagged up with the tests and was completed putting the coaches in a good position to start the season next week.

March News Part 2

Firstly, an advance apology that there will be no update next week due to your scribe being on holiday for the week, playing at another railway...

This isn't your scribe, but does show the sheer joy that working at the NNR carriage & wagon department brings! Why would anyone want a holiday from this?!?

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

Only a brief update - a full update should return next time. Progress continues on all fronts with the most visible being further gloss paintwork being applied to the sides of the vehicle.

Great Eastern Railway 1884 Wisbech & Upwell Tramcar 7

After receiving a few reports on the handbrake mechanism, which was possible to overwind when it was being taken off causing it to re-apply, a few minor modifications have been made. This was done soon after the steam gala (where No7 was in use) and the work has been completed in time for the vehicle to be a saloon for a Branch Line Society charter, It is nice to see this vehicle, which normally lives inside the sheds at Holt, out and about so much this month.

British Railways 1957 Mark 1 Tourist Second Open E4641

The decision has been made to repanel the Holt/seaward ¼ of the coach with new steel. Whilst rather drastic in appearance, this approach actually takes less time than keeping the old skin on the carriage as patching areas as required is very time consuming. So far, good progress has been made with some framework repairs having been undertaken followed by new panelling being measured, cut and fitted to almost half of the area currently being focussed on.

Part way through attaching the new steel panelling

On the interior, stripping of old varnish from the Holt end vestibule continues at a steady rate.

British Railways 1956 Mark 1 Suburban Brake Second E43357

The body smoothing and filling of this coach has now reached completion. The vehicle is now fully in primer and ready for paint. Internally, the guards van beading described last week has also been completed.

Completed beading

British Railways 1954 Mark 1 Suburban Second E46139

The bogies are now looking much better with one now in black undercoat paint and the second not far behind. Those involved with these bogies are to be congratulated for sticking with the unpleasant part of the restoration.

The lone warrior inside the coach continues to work on getting the ceilings up to scratch. At the last count, all nine ceilings had been primed (see picture last week) and two had been undercoated.

Ceiling in undercoat

British Railways 1956 Mark 1 Suburban Lavatory Open E48004

No, not a typo, the railway does have a second SLO vehicle, E48004, which is a close sister to E48001. The latter is currently under restoration and regularly appears in these jottings. The former, not mentioned here before, is the 5th suburban on the railway and has lived in Bridge Road sheds in very poor condition.

E48004 was originally in store, intended to be part of the "Suburban 4" lottery funded project. However the acquisition in 2011 of E48001 which was in much better condition effectively rendered E48004 as surplus to requirements. After the funding was awarded and the project started, E48004 was left with an uncertain future. Happily, it is going to a new home at the Llangollen Railway where it will be restored to operate in their own suburban set. This week, the vehicle was extracted from the sheds and its contents were emptied (it had been in use for storage of parts).

On the subject of emptying contents, here the C&W manager is seen trying out the toilet for size... 

The vehicle was then dispatched to Sheringham for onward transportation by road to its new life in Wales.

British Railways 1958 Conflat & Type AF Container B502824 & AF65970B

This vehicle, which featured heavily upon its completion last week, has successfully entered traffic and started on a high by starring in the demonstration freight train at the spring steam gala.

Hurst Nelson 1944 Fuel Oil Tanker 5304

The through vacuum pipe has been gloss painted and is now ready for fitting. The supporting brackets made last week have also received paint.

Completed vacuum pipe

COMPLETION SPECIAL: Container AF65970B

This week we have cause to celebrate the completion of the AF Container, which emerged resplendent in full Birds Eye colours on Tuesday. Fish fingers all round! The completed container was lifted out of the shed, down the yard and onto the eagerly waiting conflat wagon without issue. The final touch was then added when the eye of the bird was sign-written on.

On its way from the shed to the conflat

This week marks the end of an approximately 12 month rebuild project of this container, as only the external metalwork and fittings are original. The container itself (originally timer framed with metal panels) was too dilapidated for restoration so was dismantled. The container you see today is an all-steel replica and will hopefully last longer. The container was brought to the NNR in 2012 as a partner to the conflat wagon which had been acquired from the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre two years previously as part o the M&GN Society’s freight wagon fleet. With no load to go on the conflat, a chance enquiry to the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre lead to the AF container also changing hands and making the same journey. Initially, the container was stored on the conflat wagon and operated in the freight train hidden under a tarpaulin due to its poor condition. However in 2014 after the completion of the 16 ton mineral open wagon, the container was craned off the conflat and restoration undertaken. It is worth pointing out that the container is running to offer a flavour of local freight; it is not purporting to be an exact and accurate restoration. The distinctive Birds Eye white and blue livery for example, was only applied to the “AFP” containers, which although similar to the AF are longer and have more doors. Already mentioned is the change of material used in the structure of the container.

Gently loading

The reason for its restoration and inclusion in the freight train is to mark the significant use of these containers by Birds Eye locally. Entire trains of these containers were loaded with frozen goods at the plants at Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft (both closed in the early 21st century) and were distributed around the UK using the British Railways system throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s. The striking Birds Eye colour scheme arguably makes the container/conflat the flagship vehicle in the freight train and certainly the most eye catching wagon currently in service. It will be in operation for all three days of this weekend’s steam gala.

Ta da!

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

Let there be light, and there was light... The interior has taken another step forwards with the wiring up of most of the imitation gas lights in the vehicle. These consist of a wooden ring which holds a plastic “bowl”, accommodating a main electric light in the ceiling and a mock gas pilot light represented by a grain of wheat bulb. The lights can be viewed both with just the pilot lights on or the full lights lit. Also on the inside, the picnic tables have seen more varnish (pictured in January News Part 2).

Looking good are the imitation gas lights

Turning to the outside, the gloss paint is spreading and now includes the top section of the bodysides, which include the louvers for the ventilation. The droplight windows from the two passenger doors and the window frames along the vehicle have also been painted brown.

Glossed louvers

Great Eastern Railway 1899 4 Wheel Brake Third 853

The urinal has had some filling and sanding to smooth out some of the fabrication marks followed by more primer.

British Railways 1957 Mark 1 Tourist Second Open E4641

The metal removal mentioned last week sadly has revealed more widespread corrosion than thought. The panelling has therefore been taken off to reveal the entire framework of the lower half of this section, which has changed the appearance of the coach dramatically. There are even several places where the corrosion has spread into the floor supports, so more time than originally planned will have to be spent on these metalwork repairs.

Close up showing corrosion extending under the coach flooring. Not good!

In the toilet, the skirting mentioned last week is now fully fitted as well as the remaining wooden beading. All of the wooden components (towel rack, toilet seat etc) have also been fully varnished and now await fitting.

General view of the Holt end seaward side

British Railways 1956 Mark 1 Gangwayed Brake M81033

Unfortunately this coach was reported this week as gaining wheel flats. Inspection revealed that the flats were severe enough to make the entire bogie vibrate/bounce on each wheel revolution, and whilst waiting for the afflicted train to arrive the noise of the coach could be heard before the train even came into view! Needless to say the carriage has been withdrawn immediately from service, not ideal the week before the steam gala. The work programme is now being revised to accommodate the repairs for this most important vehicle (it is essential for the operation of the dining train).

British Railways 1956 Mark 1 Suburban Brake Second E43357

With the return of an extra member of staff (who works part time), progress on sanding and repainting the exterior of the seaward side of the vehicle has resumed at a rapid pace and the coach is now nearly ready for final painting. Inside the guards van, work has turned from the ceiling to the finishing beading which takes just as long as main panels themselves.

Repainting the seaward side

British Railways 1954 Mark 1 Suburban Second E46139

Cleaning and painting of the bogies, described in February News Part 3, continues. Work is also progressing on painting the ceilings inside the compartments. So far, two or three compartments are in various stages of primer and undercoat having been prepared accordingly.

Ceiling in primer

British Railways 1955 Mark 1 Suburban Second Lavatory Open E48001

No progress to report.

Hurst Nelson 1944 Fuel Oil Tanker 5304

The through vacuum pipe (for a description and image see last week) has now been painted ready for fitting. Further preparations have been made using the forge “next door” to create some mounting brackets for the pipe. These have also been drilled ready for fitting to the chassis of the tank wagon.

Workshop

As part of the wider developments of the Weybourne site, a sheet steel guillotine machine is moving from the current machine shop into our works. This has required clearance of the Holt end of the shed to accommodate the new area. A lot of time has been spent this week moving a, frankly huge, steel rack to the opposite end of the shed where it will be better suited for metalwork as well as opening up the area required for the guillotine. This work also contributes towards a wider aim of reconfiguring the shed to make the most of the space available and to increase the department’s efficiency. 

February News Part 4

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

The team have been well and truly framed this week (£250 cheque in the post) with the addition of four period pictures/adverts inside the saloon. These look very smart indeed and are a sign that the interior is approaching the home straight.

On the exterior, the first gloss paint has been applied which has once again changed the appearance of the two ends of the carriage. Moving downwards, the Holt end brakes have been adjusted which concludes the braking system until such a time that it can be tested and any other adjustments highlighted. The buffers have been fitted. A safety sling has been added to the vacuum cylinder (these are fitted to catch the cylinder in the unlikely event of it coming off its mounts for whatever reason) and a white star has been painted on the chassis to denote the position of the vacuum cylinder (pull chords).

First gloss being applied to the carriage end

Great Eastern Railway 1899 4 Wheel Brake Third 853

Our “number one” project, the urinal, has progressed with the all important drain hole created in the bottom of the bowl which has also been attached to a pipe. The bowl itself has been sand blasted and the whole assembly is now resplendent in grey primer.

British Railways 1957 Mark 1 Tourist Second Open E4641

As suggested last week welding work has turned to the Holt end saloon on the seaward side of the carriage. This is in much better condition than the landward side of the same saloon which had to be re-panelled from the windows downwards. So far we are in the rot removal stage with two door pillars and a rotten section all the way along the bottom of the coach about 5 inches high sliced away for repair/replacement. Much of the rest of the panels below the windows appears to be sound: their good condition was revealed in previous weeks after volunteers removed the old paint and filler from these areas. In the toilet, the lino flooring has been fitted and about 50% of the skirting and wall beading has followed. All of the wooden components (towel rack, toilet seat etc) are now rubbed down and have had two coats of varnish. Finally the woodwork varnish stripping has now spread to the toilet bulkheads and Holt end vestibule. This was a very dark area previously so we’re hoping to really lighten it up and show off the grain of the wood.

The Holt/seaward section of E4641. In this view, you can see the currently very dark vestibule woodwork on the left, and the doorway steel has been cut away, as has the lower 18 inches of panelling

British Railways 1957 Mark 1 Gangwayed Brake M81114

Just a picture this time of the vehicle, as mentioned last week work has been completed.

British Railways 1956 Mark 1 Suburban Brake Second E43357

Work continues to focus on the guards van interior. This week, a visual step forward has taken place with the fitting of the plywood ceiling. This is now being followed up by more cable trunking (described last week) attached to the ceiling itself. Work has now also started on some odds and sods such as restoring a sawdust bin, an example of which was fitted to all guards compartments.

A fine worker attaching trunking

British Railways 1954 Mark 1 Suburban Second E46139

Cleaning and painting of the bogies, described last week, continues.

British Railways 1955 Mark 1 Suburban Second Lavatory Open E48001

Seat end stripping of varnish continues for the Sheringham saloon seat ends.

British Railways 1958 Conflat & Type AF Container B502824 & AF65970B

This week saw the fitting of the vacuum cylinder to conflat B502824. The system has been completed by adding the flexible pipes to the ends (which are now also painted the correct red) and testing the cylinder/pipes with the help of Eeyore, the yard shunting engine. As with M&GN No3, the chassis was then embellished with a vacuum denoting white star. The conflat is now ready for traffic once more, but will be held in the yard until the AF container can be positioned onto it.

View of the newly fitted vacuum cylinder and "white star" on the chassis

Hurst Nelson 1944 Fuel Oil Tanker 5304

With work on the conflat drawing to a close, there has been room for some smaller projects that have been on the list for some time. So the team got “tanked up” and have made a start on getting this oil tanker suitable for use in a (partially) fitted, or braked, freight train. At present the tank wagon is known as “loose coupled” i.e. it is hauled by a locomotive and has no operating brakes, the locomotive alone providing the braking. Here on the NNR we have a roughly 50/50 proportion of freight wagons that do/don’t have vacuum brakes. Current thinking is to slowly fit the wagons with no brakes with “through pipes” (vacuum brake pipes that pass right through the un-braked wagon without braking the wagon itself). This will allow vacuum braking to be used throughout the freight train, with the vacuum applying on the wagons which have brakes and passing through wagons which don’t. All the Shell/BP tanker requires is one of these “through pipes” fitting to the underframe. A suitable second-hand pipe has been sourced from a condemned wagon and has been in the workshop this week for patches where the pipe was visibly thin.

Workshop

A “new” A frame has been set up in the workshop to aid the lifting of parts in/out of bogies during mechanical overhaul (and for similar jobs). It is ex Chatham Steam and had become surplus since the company integrated with the NNR. The frame can be moved around on its wheels and should be most useful.

February News Part 3

We start with a picture of part of the team currently involved in the M&GN Picnic Saloon and Conflat/Container wagon. They are occasionally let out onto the station platform provided they behave of course...

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

Exterior painting continues, with the undercoat spreading round the landward side of the vehicle. Being a wooden panelled vehicle, the repeated coats at this stage will build up the layers and be of great benefit to the final finish. Work to adjust the length of the buffers, described in January News Part 2, has been concluded and all four are now resplendent in gloss black and waiting refitting.

Undercoat building up on the landward side

Moving indoors, the two saloon tables have seen a further coat of varnish, and the folding table inside the luggage compartment has now been painted cream to match the surrounding panelling. A black circle has also been painted onto the roof to represent where the chimney used to be.

Completed buffers

Great Eastern Railway 1899 4 Wheel Brake Third 853

The urinal described last week has progressed with the “bowl” now essentially complete. However rather crucially there is not yet a hole at the bottom of this magnificent vessel so no doubt work will continue next week.

British Railways 1957 Mark 1 Tourist Second Open E4641

Welding has been completed in the Holt/seaward corner of the carriage and lots of new steel framework and panelling is now present and protected in anti-rust paint. The repairs now extend to the doorway so work will now move on to the main section of coach on the seaward side. It is a long but essential part of any carriage overhaul. Work on the toilet has slowed due to manpower being required on BG M81114, however some small fittings have been progressed and the “skirting” which will go around the walls just above the floor has been machined and painted ready for fitting after the lino goes in. A milestone with the interior woodwork has been reached: the timber for the Holt end saloon is now entirely stripped back of old varnish and is now ready for new varnish.

The protracted work on the Holt/seaward corner of the carriage is now completed

British Railways 1954 Grounded Tool Van DB975129 (Ex Brake Corridor Second 34495)

This vehicle has finally bitten the dust and is now officially razor blades. This will therefore be the final time the coach is mentioned on this blog, take a bow 34495...

British Railways 1957 Mark 1 Gangwayed Brake M81114

A fair amount of manpower has been directed at our newest acquisition, with a second and third coat of green paint applied over the rust-sorry-bodywork. It now looks infinitely smarter than when it arrived. Our work has now been completed by also scraping the graffiti off the windows, resealing the roof vents (they are currently missing) to limit water ingress, sweeping out the interior, clearing out the gutters of leaves/detritus and finally applying some stickers to the outside with the vehicle’s numbers so that enthusiasts can identify it. M81114 will now be used statically at Sheringham as required.

The thrill of scraping windows is evident...

British Railways 1956 Mark 1 Suburban Brake Second E43357

The supporting ceiling timbers, described in February News Part 1, have now been completed. Work continues inside the brake van with a rather nice section of wooden trunking being manufactured to feed cables from under the coach, up the bulkhead to the ceiling via a lighting control box.

Ceiling timbers now fitted

British Railways 1954 Mark 1 Suburban Second E46139

E46139 has been lifted this week and its bogies removed for overhaul. This signals the start of the mechanical overhaul, which will deal with everything below floor level. So far one of the bogies has had all its brake shoes and linkages removed and has been needle gunned to remove old dust and flaky paint. This is yet another long and tedious task but should make the underneath look a million dollars.

E46139 lifted

British Railways 1955 Mark 1 Suburban Second Lavatory Open E48001

While the temperature remains low, seat end stripping of varnish continues for the Sheringham saloon seat ends.

British Railways 1958 Conflat & Type AF Container B502824 & AF65970B

The conflat wagon, B502824, made a flying (24 hour) visit inside the shed to be varnished to give the side a new shine to match the newly painted container (AF65970B) which will soon be lowered onto the conflat. A few areas of the chassis, such as the ends of the vacuum brake pipes and hand brake handles have also been repainted red/white respectively. As the conflat is already restored, no more work is required to it other than the fitting of the vacuum cylinder.

The conflat during varnishing

Clive Morris

We finish with a report of the passing of Clive Morris, the North Norfolk Railway’s chairman and a key part of the Carriage & Wagon department. Clive, 78, was a very active C&W volunteer in the earlier days of the department and continued to help out occasionally from home, the restoration of woodwork from the Mark 1 suburbans being a recent example. Perhaps more importantly, he was a champion of fundraising, and was instrumental in attracting the lottery funding to restore the beautiful Gresley Quad Art set and later the four Kings Cross Mark 1 suburban vehicles, the restorations of which are currently in full swing. It is a fairly safe statement that without Clive, we may well not have had the Quad Arts today. It is a shame that Clive did not see the entry into service of the suburbans and our thoughts are with this wife Betty and his family. North Norfolk News has published an obituary this week.

Clive enjoying travel on the Quad Arts

February News Part 2

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

Further painting work has been undertaken on the exterior, with the Sheringham end receiving more undercoat. The entire coach has now been rubbed down again for the next coat. Interior progress has focussed on the luggage compartment where a variety of shelves/tables are being manufactured. A folding table is now fitted to the end of the coach with a wall mounted pigeon-hole style rack not far behind.

Luggage shelving develops

Great Eastern Railway 1899 4 Wheel Brake Third 853

Although not in the works programme at present, a urinal of all things is being manufactured from scratch for this vehicle in advance, one less job for the time when it is brought in to be restored. The team will be very relieved when the urinal is done; although they could have just used the workshop toilets like everybody else...

British Railways 1957 Mark 1 Tourist Second Open E4641

Exterior welding and interior woodwork stripping advances with no obvious milestones to report on this week. The toilet is in the process of having its varnished beading fitted, which contrasts nicely with the cream and white panels. As we are working from the top down, the first beading to be finished is that which goes around the ceiling. There are some rather awkward angles to deal with which means the job does take a little more time. A piece of lino has also been measured up and cut ready for fitting in this area.

An unusual angle for a photo. Looking skywards in the toilet at the ceiling and newly fitted beading. Note the several angles which are less than square!

British Railways 1954 Grounded Tool Van DB975129 (Ex Brake Corridor Second 34495)

This vehicle’s demise has continued at a relaxed rate. The second of the two thirds of the coach has now been reduced to a chassis, only one section remains...

British Railways 1957 Mark 1 Gangwayed Brake M81114

The new arrival was an ugly duckling somewhat – corrosion and a grafittied exterior gave this priceless piece of heritage a less than appealing appearance. The latter being present was causing concern as one coach in graffiti can encourage future attacks. The coach has therefore been scraped down this week of old loose paintwork and a covering coat of green applied to improve the coach to the public eye and give it an even cover. This was particularly sensible as the coach will be remaining at Sheringham for the foreseeable future as extra space for the commercial department. Having residential neighbours makes the exterior appearance more important than at other locations where we stable stock out of service elsewhere on the railway. The new paintjob certainly won’t be submitted for any awards, and you won’t be seeing M81114 in the dining train any time soon; however it is infinitely better than what went before. Further coats of paint are required before attention is turned away from this carriage.

British Railways 1956 Mark 1 Suburban Brake Second E43357

This carriage has been moved into the staging area where the exterior restoration can be finally completed. Rapid progress has been made on sanding and filling the bodywork on the top 50% of the carriage (the bottom 50% has already been completed whilst the coach was elsewhere in the works) which is required before it is handed over for the final painting and finishing.

Bodywork on the top 50% of the coach

British Railways 1954 Mark 1 Suburban Second E46139

It’s been all about ceilings this week. The process described last update of manufacturing and fitting the hardboard ceiling beading strips to each compartment is now fully completed. All of the light shades and mounts are also fitted which concludes the carpentry part of the ceilings which have now been released for painting. A sole volunteer has now admirably stepped in to prepare and rub down each of the ceilings ready for painting. Like E4641, as we’re working top-down the painting of the ceilings will unlock the rest of the interior refit work for the compartments. The entire varnished wood interior is in store (fully restored in 2014) ready for this refit to begin which will transform the interior and provide a great morale boost.

A completed ceiling showing light and beading

British Railways 1955 Mark 1 Suburban Second Lavatory Open E48001

While the temperature remains low, seat end stripping of varnish continues for the Sheringham saloon seat ends.

British Railways 1958 Conflat & Type AF Container B502824 & AF65970B

The vacuum cylinder for the conflat wagon has been fully overhauled and painted and was on the testing rig by the end of the week. The cylinder passed so it is now ready for fitting in the near future.

Maintenance

The odd 1884 built Wisbech & Upwell coach, sometimes known as Irene, has been extracted from Bridge Road Sheds where it normally resides to star in this weekend’s special trips with the M&GN society’s Wissington. As it has not been used for a while, some routine maintenance was carried out including a good running gear inspection (including handbrake adjustment) and full oiling of all springs, equipment etc. It is nice to see any of the vintage coaches in use and we hope the specials are well patronised.

"Oiling Irene"