June News Part 1

We bring important news in that our Works Monkey has returned to us! Monkey has been a naughty chimp indeed however as he left us in limbo for a frivolous romantic encounter with a Mrs Monkey who has chosen to relocate to Weybourne and keep Monkey company. In fact there is a third primate in our midst, as Mrs Monkey had offspring from a previous marriage, so we are now  inundated with Monkeys...

Great Eastern Railway 1899 4 Wheel Brake Third 853

Progress on the inside of the guard's compartment has included the fitting of two internal handrails on the side of the guard's door, and "rubbing strips" on the inside edges of the luggage doors, which were designed to stop wheels of trolleys and edges of cases etc from damaging the doorway.

Two metal doors are also being fabricated for two further tail lamps on the back end. Moving onto the two passenger compartments, the ceilings have had a second coat of eggshell, whilst some steel caps over the tops of the doors have been removed, de-rusted and painted, with the woodwork underneath inspected for damage and enlarged screw-holes plugged with dowel.

General repairs to the exterior have also continued.

British Railways 1957 Mark 1 Tourist Second Open E4641

Interior reassembly has continued. This week, the veneered wooden seat ends, seat legs and supporting framework have been constructed and fitted into position throughout the whole coach. This has eliminated the empty open space that was present before and has changed the interior's appearance once again.

The coach has also been moved out of the staging area (which is required by E48001) and has been lifted to allow work to be undertaken on the underframe and bogies. The Sheringham end bogie has so far been removed and is being inspected and re-greased. Some of the worst of the grime accumulation is also being chipped off, although the extent of this work will not be as high as that applied to the suburban vehicles.

British Railways 1955 Mark 1 Suburban Composite Lavatory E43041

A full week's (minus bank holiday) work has been put into the panelling of the landward side, which is rapidly approaching the Holt end.

British Railways 1955 Mark 1 Suburban Third Lavatory Open E48001

This coach has now moved into the staging for final body preparation after which it will be painted. A good start has been made on the landward side (the seaward side has already been mostly prepared) grinding down metal that is proud, filling imperfections and lots of sanding!

The interior continues to mimic E4641 in its progress and closeness to completion. The Sheringham end saloon caught up with the Holt end after its varnished seat ends and metal heater grills were fitted into position. All of the luggage racks have now also been fitted to the whole coach which fills up the head space and makes the coach seem almost full. The toilets have also benefited from their ceilings being fitted, and several other hinged doors and minor components have also been fitted in this area.