March News Part 3

Great Eastern Railway 1899 4 Wheel Brake Third 853

The exterior of the carriage has seen the splicing to the Holt end/landward side corner, mentioned last week, completed and the panelling returned on top of the repaired framework.

On the interior, the planking (which was removed for repairs) has now been returned to much of the guards (Holt) end, which has been supported by lots more sanding, filling and caulking of all the rest of the interior planking. This has allowed the Sheringham end wall to be completed to the stage where some seat back formers have been attached and even two supports for the seat base itself.

Planking laid out

Caulking planking

The design of LED replica gas lamps was so successful on previous project M&GN 3, that it is being repeated for 853. Consequently, the Axe-man was to be found producing four steel rings to support part of these lamps.

British Railways 1962 Mark 1 First Open M3116

The coach is now back out of Bridge Road Sheds (post Steam Gala) and a carpet layer has been booked to install....the new carpet which should be delivered shortly. Whilst we wait, the seating legs have all been cleaned up as the aluminium parts had become somewhat tarnished over the years.

British Railways 1957 Mark 1 Tourist Second Open E4641

The Holt end vestibule has progressed a little further after the ceiling beading mentioned last week was fitted into position, completing the ceiling. This has allowed the hinged end door (stops you walking onto the track if the coach is on the end of the train!) to also be fitted, having been restored some time ago. Inside the passenger saloons themselves, all of the interior bulkheads have now been fully sanded and are awaiting varnishing. To do this with the minimum dust contamination as possible, the sliding windows have all been gloss painted and then fitted to the coach to allow it to be sealed as best as possible from the rest of the workshop.

Martin refitting windows

British Railways 1955 Mark 1 Suburban Composite Lavatory E43041

Woodwork stripping continues, with items from compartments number 1, 2 and 3 being tackled this week.

British Railways 1955 Mark 1 Suburban Third Lavatory Open E48001

Scraping down the old rust and flaking paint from the chassis ready for repainting has now been completed to everybody’s relief. Half of the chassis has now also been painted in anti-rust primer.

In terms of bogies, the Sheringham end example has been focussed on and has been lifted off the wheels for overhaul. The frames have been cleaned down of detritus and much of it has been rust-proofed. Several of the bars and spring pins etc that hold much of the moving parts together have been stripped down, cleaned, re-greased and reassembled. Not much to write about, but again one of those tasks that will absorb a lot of time and effort over the next couple of weeks.