November News Part 3

Great Eastern Railway 1899 4 Wheel Brake Third 853

The team have wasted no time in getting their teeth sunk into this new and exciting project, with progress centred on three fronts this week. Firstly, the heat-gun paint stripping of the landward side exterior woodwork/tinwork has been furthered and the side has almost now been completed.

Nearly stripped: the seaward side

Secondly, the inside has been 90% stripped of the wallpaper that had been added (during its time as a house) which has revealed the original planked interior to be in good condition. The remains of the original guard-to-compartment divide have been removed and the ceiling de-nailed (itself a large task).

The wallpaper finish had seen better days!

Guards compartment during wallpaper steaming

Finally, the section of missing framework where the smaller of the two fireplaces had been installed has now been replaced, most fittingly using a section of reclaimed carriage underframe!

British Railways 1957 Mark 1 Tourist Second Open E4641

Interior reconstruction continues. In the Sheringham end saloon, the steam heating pipes have been refitted and the centre bulkhead (which originally was there to separate smokers from non-smokers) returned.

In the Holt end saloon, a great deal of supporting woodwork (which attaches to the steel frame of the coach and in turn supports the wooden interior panelling) was found to be missing so much of the week has been spent machining replacements up from new timber. A large number of heater covers have also been cleaned up and painted silver.

On the exterior, a few aluminium window frames have been refitted to the seaward side to bring it up to the same level as the landward side.

British Railways 1955 Mark 1 Suburban Composite Lavatory E43041

The bodywork reconstruction unsurprisingly remains the main focus. More framework repairs and welding have been completed to both sides (on the Sheringham-end half).

More framework repairs to the landward side

The last of the second class compartments have also been removed (partitions, ceilings etc) which allowed the floor to be removed to facilitate replacement of the steel beneath.

More soul destroying removal of the interior so we can replace the floor

The refurbishment of the steam heaters is now complete and these are now in a large pile so they can be fitted when the coach is ready for them.

British Railways 1954 Mark 1 Suburban Third W46139

Progress has slowed whilst we await more materials (such as lino flooring) to arrive, but a few “snagging list” items have been attended to such as door lock adjustment and fitting of wooden trim which got missed first time around. All of the floors have now been cleaned out and painted under the seats where there is not going to be lino. The paint will hopefully guard against any stray water/condensation.

British Railways 1955 Mark 1 Suburban Third Lavatory Open E48001

With the heater elements for E43041 complete, some more have been overhauled for eventual use in E48001.

Maintenance

Second Open E4372, probably the best vehicle running in the Dining Train, has been found to have defective vacuum cylinders. Two cylinders have been overhauled from stored examples ready to fit to the coach, hopefully next week. The failed examples will be removed and then be either examined or stored to await overhaul for another vehicle.