April News Part 4

Great Eastern Railway 1899 4 Wheel Brake Third 853

The final partition, that that separates the guard's compartment with the passenger compartments, was paneled up to the ceiling this week which gives an impression now on how large the brakevan area is. It will be "all white on the night" as the panelled areas have now received the first coat of white penetrating wood primer.

The pole which supports the ceiling over the half height partition was modified this week and replaced by a longer example which fills the void better. This had to be welded together using two salvaged poles and it was lucky that Monkey was available to give the Axeman some guidance on how to make a good job of it!

British Railways 1962 Mark 1 First Open M3116

The reupholstered seats arrived right at the end of the week, so have been loaded into the vehicle (huff-n-puff dot com) ready for unwrapping and fitting.

British Railways 1957 Mark 1 Tourist Second Open E4641

Re-varnishing of the mass of interior woodwork continues, with up to three staff involved at any one time. We can finally see the end for this task and hopefully the final parts will be varnished next week and refitting can commence.

The task of plumbing back in the under-seat heaters (pictured last week) has now been completed. Elsewhere on the interior, the ceiling painting has progressed well this week with three quarters of the coach now gloss painted and completed. Only the end (originally non Smoking) saloon and the Sheringham end vestibule now remains to be painted.

British Railways 1955 Mark 1 Suburban Composite Lavatory E43041

Other commitments have prevented progress on welding the paneling on the landward side, but the seaward side continues to progress in similar vein to previous weeks.

Great progress has also continued on the first batch of woodwork (from around the windows) which is now all stripped down and many of them have also been sanded as well. The first coats of varnish mix are now starting to be applied.

British Railways 1955 Mark 1 Suburban Third Lavatory Open E48001

The departure of the M&GN brakevan has opened up the space to lift E48001 again and extract the Holt end bogie ready for its overhaul to start.

Now that the vehicle is back on jacks again, the task of repainting the underframe has restarted. The final areas of "rust-kill" primer have been applied and the metal primer and black undercoat layers have also been done.

Upstairs, a further three doors have been reassembled wood-work wise bringing the total up to 10 (out of 16). The Holt end saloon is now finished as far as doors are concerned.