July News Part 3

Great Eastern Railway 1899 4 Wheel Brake Third 853

A real milestone was reached this week as for the first time in 90 years the underframe for 853 has been "un-grounded" i.e. it has gained lower "danglies". This has been in the form of the W irons which have now been bolted into position and are now being prepared for the wheels themselves to be fitted. Some limited work has also been completed on the spring hangers which will also be required before the underframe can be wheeled.

British Railways 1959 Brake Corridor Composite E21224

Four of the five exterior doors have now been test fitted to the seaward side of the vehicle successfully. The fifth has been held up as it is the unusual inward opening guards door. This is currently on the bench being rebuilt and playing catch up to the other doors.

The window frames mentioned last week continue to be cleaned up back to bare aluminium, the seaward side windows have been prioritised as we know it is this side we will want to be refitting first.

A big push has been made on varnishing the large stack of interior woodwork panels and trim which have been steadily stripped, sanded and protected over the spring. These all now need lots of layers building up on them so they can be found spread around the workshop on racks to allow this to happen.

British Railways 1956 Tourist Second Open E4236

Not many people went for the red herring in last week's Blog. The brown 4236 was simply a new undercoat for our standard maroon gloss paint! This week, two coats of maroon have been applied to the vehicle, and the windows have now been cleaned up where any stray paint had splashed. The task of lining out the coach has now started and the top line has already been applied.

On the ends of the coach, the removed lighting jumper cables have been refitted and can now be painted.

British Railways 1958 Covered Carriage Truck M94125

After the gloss on 4236 had been applied, painting of M94125 started immediately. Over the week the vehicle has first been primed, then undercoated.

Southern Railway 1951 Parcels & Miscellaneous Van 1476

No progress to report.

London Midland & Scottish Railway 1940 12T Box Van 514207

This van, which is parked next to 1476 in the cattle dock at Weybourne, is receiving the same refresh treatment as 1476, whilst the weather allows.

Colman's 1908 Mustard Van 4807

With the M&GN Dray at Holt completed, some intermediate refresh work is now being carried out on some of the other freight vehicle's on display at the museum there. Like most wooden vehicles, the Colman's 4 wheel box van was beginning to flake so the loose paint has been removed from the vehicle's ends, resin applied and some undercoat.

Hurst Nelson 1942 4 Wheel Tank 1982

In parallel with the work on Mustard Van 4807, the Esso tanker which is displayed adjacent to it is also receiving a freshen up. The top section of the tank, which faces the sky, was beginning to look shabby so this section has been cleaned down and is also in the process of being repainted.

Royal Navy 4 Wheel Flat 269

No progress to report.

M&GN Dray

The dray has had its final repainting work completed, and now looks a lot better at Holt. It has been handed back to the museum and continues to be displayed there.