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"