December News Part 1

Great Eastern Railway 1899 4 Wheel Brake Third 853

Door rebuilding continues, with new galvanised steel panels being let into the repaired hardwood frames.

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

Awaiting the return of its springs.

British Railways 1955 Mark 1 Suburban Composite Lavatory E43041

The coach has been transformed twice in the past week. The prepared exterior was first coated in primer during the earlier stages of the week.

This was followed by the crimson undercoat (sides) and black undercoat (ends) which changed its colour again.

The roof has also been completed having had both of its coats of specialist roof paint. Interior reassembly continues, with the toilets having progressed particularly well this week. The sinks and toilet pans themselves have both been installed with the lav seats currently being sanded down (an excellent job) and varnished up.

Various trimmings such as shelves and paper towel racks are also being installed on the walls.

In the passenger compartments, the ceilings are being sanded down where the originals are still in situ, a task which is currently half way there. The ceilings which have been replaced from new are being painted in primer already, and are three quarters complete. One ceiling has reached undercoat stage and gives an idea of how they will look when finished.

The luggage racking is in the process of being cleaned, with approximately two compartments done, and finally the grills which go under the seats and cover up the steam heaters are being cleaned back and repainted, with well over half having been completed this week.

As readers will undoubtedly notice, this coach has been a major source of attention this week with most members of the team directed towards this rather than other projects.

British Railways 1958 Class 101 Railcar Driving Trailer Second Lavatory M56352

The next project is some swift bodywork repairs and repaint (including roof) to the second half of the National Railway Museum's DMU set. This is the concluding part of the work we undertook in August to the powercar which was given similar treatment. The vehicle has been moved into the shed but work is yet to begin as E43041 remains the priority.

Metropolitan Cammell 1965 4 Wheel Petroleum Tank 53083

With the springs for 129's underframe yet to arrive, a good bit of attention has been directed towards the tank wagon. The tank itself has now been completed in its grey gloss paint complete with end ladder picked out in white for visibility.

The solebar is not far behind and is being painted a vivid red colour which contrasts very nicely against the grey. The landward side solebar has been finished which has allowed the lettering to all be picked out in white, a nice finishing touch. No doubt the seaward side will be following suit soon.