June News Part 3

I write this from the esteemed offices of the North Norfolk Railway itself, as my computer last week decided to move to the next world. Whilst this has caused a cancellation of last week’s blog, activity continues in the works at Weybourne which thankfully is not so reliant on IT. The Blog also has cause to celebrate 10,000 views, so thanks to all who have chosen to drop by for an update.

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

The most visual work has been the continued rubbing down of the paintwork for the varnishing, which is now well advanced. The varnish has also emerged and the two ends of the carriage and also three doors down the landward side have been completed.

On the underframe, the problem of the axlebox keeps being too high (described in June News Part 1) has now been rectified, and all the pins for the suspension springs have been removed, greased and fitted for good with new split pins and washers.

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

Removal of unnecessary parts off the PMV underframe is now complete with the last of the brakegear and trussing also removed. Those that are to be refitted are being cleaned up and repainted. The new headstocks are being prepared and have been partially welded as part of the work to shorten the chassis.

Ex-Axe Man now putting metal together rather than splitting it apart

With the central section of the chassis ready for reassembly, about three quarters of the vehicle has been painted in primer underneath.

British Railways 1957 Mark 1 Tourist Second Open E4641

The first section of floor, the metal for which was repaired last week, has seen replacement wood flooring installed whilst the metalworkers have moved on to floor support replacement further down the coach.

Wooden floor refitted following metal repairs

More replacement flooring has been required

British Railways 1958 Mark 1 Brake Composite Corridor NE21224

This coach has been returned to storage to await its full restoration to commence.

British Railways 1955 Mark 1 Suburban Composite Lavatory E43041

The asbestos contractors have finished their work and handed the coach back to the department for its overhaul to start in earnest. The bogies, mentioned last time, have progressed well and both have been cleaned down and rust-protected.

One bogie has been fully primed and also sprayed in black undercoat whilst the second has been part painted in primer. The axle springs and bolster springs have all been removed, checked and regreased before fitting. Meanwhile, a small army has descended (or perhaps ascended as the coach is still on jacks?) on the underframe chipping and cleaning all the old gunk and paint, which is nearly complete. The first third of the coach has been rust protected and the first areas of primed metal are starting to appear…

British Railways 1954 Mark 1 Suburban Third W46139

This coach is still at Bridge Road sheds (moved to create yard space during the diesel gala at Weybourne), however the upholstery continues to progress. Long standing volunteer Roger Ison has also been furthering the luggage racks. These are aluminium poles with string netting tied between them to make up the rack. Roger has been dismantling these, cleaning the alloy back to a shine, repairing the string netting where required, washing the netting then fully reassembling tem ready for fitting. There are 18 of these in total and already he is half way there.

British Railways 1955 Mark 1 Suburban Third Lavatory Open E48001

Work continues on the toilets, with various flush tanks and pipes being fitted, a toilet and sink extracted and cleaned ready for fitting, and various wooden compliments (including the toilet seat itself!) rubbed down and varnished. Meanwhile, the interior woodwork is almost at the stage where one saloon (half the coach) can be installed permanently

Martin Collins painting toilet components

The throne itself: resplendant in gloss varnish

British Railways 1957 Class 101 Railcar Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory E56062

The repaint is now almost completed. The vehicle has received two coats of green gloss but still looks quite “plain”, however this effect will disappear when the cream lining is applied in a few weeks time.