February News Part 2

Great Eastern Railway 1899 4 Wheel Brake Third 853

This week has seen the coach the subject of an unforgivable crime. The paint stripping of the interior (and odd-bits on the exterior not already completed) was severely hampered after Tuesday’s morning tea break when the volunteers came back to find their radio not working.

The fact that said musical device had been blasting out “old classics” all morning had absolutely no bearing on the motive of the perpetrator. After a full investigation it was discovered that the fuse had been deliberately removed from the music box with intent to not return. THEFT I hear you cry! Luckily spare fuses are available and the machine was manufacturing more sweet notes by noon. A sickening twist to the tale unfolded on Thursday morning when the coach was re-entered and the missing fuse was found tied to a string from the roof of the carriage. Not only had the criminal returned to the scene of the crime, he was taunting the workers, toying with their emotions... This sickening act was not to last much longer however, as on Friday a routine inspection by your author resulted in none other than Monkey being caught red handed, going in for a second bite of the cherry!

Sadly he could not be apprehended as he made a quick escape before a citizen’s arrest could be made, so Monkey is now very much at large around the workshop. We must all stay alert until this vigilante is brought to justice.

We will prevail however, and no crime could ever stop progress. On the interior of the coach the guard’s end wall has seen the internal panels taken off in order to inspect the framework with a view to any required repairs.

These sorts of framework repairs are in progress elsewhere, on the doorways, with capping pierces being spliced into position this week in several areas. The door hinges have also been source of attention. All except one hinge have been removed from the doors themselves, quite a tricky task, and the various parts gathered together with a view to filling the gaps in the set as the coach was incomplete in this respect. Spare hinges will require sourcing, either from other coaches or perhaps cast from new. Several tread plates, now fully repainted, have been returned to the doorways. It’s good to see refurbished parts being refitted to the coach only three months after restoration started.

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

Work has continued on the building up of metal on the “W irons” and dressing to give the correct clearances for the axleboxes on the chassis.

British Railways 1962 Mark 1 First Open M3116

The tables have been removed this week as part of the winter interior refurbishment. Contract seat re-upholstery is still in progress.

British Railways 1957 Mark 1 Tourist Second Open E4641

The Sheringham end corridor connection (described last week) was refitted on Wednesday following completion of the metalwork repairs.

The exterior window frames have seen further progress and most are now filled and sanded flat. The ones which are at this stage have received a coat of red primer to match the bodysides of the coach.

This has allowed a start to be made on refitting the glass, with two windows refitted so far.

On the interior, the ceiling has been refitted to the Sheringham end saloon, which had previously been untouchable due to the work on the corridor connection being in progress.

British Railways 1955 Mark 1 Suburban Composite Lavatory E43041

The battery box covers have now been repainted and refitted to the vehicle. We are still awaiting the delivery of some pressed window side sections to allow re-panelling to commence.

British Railways 1954 Mark 1 Suburban Third W46139

The sole focus this week has been painting the vehicle.

Good progress has been made, with the entire coach (including the black ends) reaching the undercoat stage.

More than half required flatting off and coating in a second coat of undercoat due to problems with dust, however the second coat took better. This allowed the first gloss coat to be progressed towards the end of the week, with the landward side having received the Crimson so far.

British Railways 1955 Mark 1 Suburban Third Lavatory Open E48001

Still awaiting the departure of W46139 before it can be moved into the workshop.

Maintenance

Further sessions of fault repairs have been undertaken at Sheringham, a long list being drawn up which when worked through will clear all outstanding faults on the coaching stock prior to the commencement of the main running season in April. This has been very time consuming with several members of staff engaged on the tasks for several days.