January News Part 2

It has been a very busy week with some unexpected extra work coming in.

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

The water system described last week has had its pipework fitted which concludes the work on the water tank (hopefully as a test remains to be undertaken!) that supplies the sink. The buffers were found to be positioned too short so they have been removed and some minor modifications are being made to make them sit at the correct distance from the couplings. On the interior, the “picnic” tables have received two coats of varnish (see image) although more coats are required for a satisfactory result. Rexine material has also been applied to the two passenger doors; they look very nice in their maroon colour. Work has now started on the passenger communication chord which will run the full length of the vehicle. Some steel tube has been acquired and this has now been test fitted in places and the tubes are now in the process of being painted.

Picnic table with varnish starting to be built up

British Railways 1955 Mark 1 Second Open E4372

One of our favourite coaches, dining car E4372, has been at Weybourne for a repair. Whilst normally very well behaved, the brakes decided to start leaking vacuum. Originally thought to be the vacuum cylinder itself, after inspection some neighboring valves became the main suspects. These are being swapped to allow this coach to be returned to service quickly.

E4372 back in Weybourne yard for a vacuum repair

British Railways 1957 Mark 1 Tourist Second Open E4641

The “Gold” overhaul has progressed on three fronts. Firstly, the metalwork around the Holt end seaward side corner has reached the stage where the new floor plate and crash pillar bottoms have been welded in (see image).  A small amount of paintwork has also been stripped off the seaward side ready for bodywork. Secondly, the landward side toilet has had its framework refitting completed and five out of six Formica panels have been fitted onto the frame. Thirdly, the seat end stripping of old varnish powers on with several more being completed this week thanks to the input of volunteers.

Heavy repairs to the bottom corner

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

A new project for the department this week is assisting in the disposal of this ex breakdown tool van which has been a grounded body (no bogies) in Weybourne yard for approx 20 years. With the railway expanding and a new boiler shop being created, the area the coach has occupied is required to lay a track into the side building which will house the boiler works. Prior to scrapping the interior of the coach had to be completely stripped out with no wood remaining, leaving a steel bodyshell behind. In just three days, with a lot of help from M&GN society and NNR carriage and wagon volunteers, all of the ceiling, wall panelling and supporting woodwork has been removed and burned, with about half of the floor also pulled up. Assistance was also given in removing the last of the items which has been stored in there (it was a diesel loco store). Some limited spares have been obtained from the vehicle as well, including window frames, chequer plate flooring and roof vents.

British Railways 1956 Mark 1 Suburban Brake Second E43357

The most advanced Suburban in the “Sub 4” project edges ever closer. More panelling has been fitted to the guards van, with only the top section of one wall still to complete (see image). The seaward side footboard has been sanded back and repainted in undercoat – luckily this board is of sufficient quality to reuse – and the charging sockets for the batteries have been removed for restoration and rewiring.

Guards van panelling being fitted

British Railways 1954 Mark 1 Suburban Second E46139

Several doors on the landward side have been adjusted. This is required a month or so after refitting with new doors as they tend to “settle” into the old space and new temperature which causes them to get stuck for no sensible reason! The remaining holes have been drilled to take the grab handles (next to the door handles) as a couple of these had been “lost” last year after bodywork repairs resulted in the area of body they bolt to being replaced with new metal. Finally the lighting surrounds described last update have been wood treated and painted in undercoat.

British Railways 1955 Mark 1 Suburban Second Lavatory Open E48001

Work progresses well on the interior. The Holt end saloon has had all the window woodwork loose fitted and any snags are now being attended to. The centre “vestibule” between the toilets has now been fully stripped of varnish and will be sanded and re-varnished when the weather improves. The Sheringham end saloon is 2/3rds ready for loose fitting of the window woodwork. While the temperature remains low, seat end stripping of varnish continues for the Sheringham saloon seat ends (the Holt end ones are already restored).

British Railways 1958 Type AF Container AF65970B

The AF container has seen a small amount of progress, in the form of its number plate having the letters and border picked out in black (see image).

1965 32 Ton Petrol Tank 53083

Not a vehicle that is mentioned very often... The tank is now in use as a water treatment tank and it was decided that it required a vacuum through pipe as it is going to be moved around far more frequently than previously now it has a useful role on the railway other than static display. This was kindly done by the locomotive department after we supplied two vacuum pipes to fit onto the ends. Luckily there was already pipework under the vehicle for this purpose.