Our "Completion Special" updates are normally reserved for the completion of Gold standard overhauls, however an exception is being made for E94464 as it has spent over ten years out of passenger service, and also because whilst it was originally brought in for a Bronze overhaul, most areas of the vehicle have in fact received a Silver level of work, with some even getting Gold treatment.
E94464 is one of two Covered Carriage Trucks (CCT) owned and operated by the North Norfolk Railway. It is part of the British Railways standard Mark 1 family, but is unlike most other Mark 1 variants in many ways. Weighing 17 tons, it is a short vehicle on a fixed 4-wheeled chassis and has no accommodation for passengers. Instead there is a large open area inside for any goods or parcel traffic that may be required to be stowed. Access is either through one of the four sets of double opening doors in the bodysides, or through either end of the vehicle which is equipped with wooden folding doors and a tail gate which can be hinged down over the buffers. This latter feature allowed road cars to be driven into the vehicle at one end and along a train of similar vehicles, much in the way that the Channel Tunnel shuttle services operate today. E94464 was originally built with folding shelves along the walls, these could be stowed upwards if cars etc were being carried, or folded down to provide additional storage for smaller packages if required. These tables were later removed but it is not known if this was done in British Rail days or by NNR volunteers. Three windows each side allow light into the vehicle, with electric lighting also being fitted. E94464 is roughly in the middle of a huge production run of 923 CCT vehicles built between 1959 and 1961 at British Railway's Earlestown works, being supplied to the Midland, Eastern and Western regions. Many were later transferred to the Southern region, with only the Scottish region having nothing to do with them. As the prefix to the number suggests, E94464 was one of 120 CCT's originally built for the Eastern region.
E94464 rolled off the production line in 1960 finished in lined out British Railway's maroon livery. being the tenth CCT delivered to the Eastern region. It was immediately put to work operating mixed goods and parcels trains as required. It's vacuum braking system and comparability with passenger stock would have also allowed the vehicle to be attached to passenger trains as well to provide extra goods accommodation. We have no records of E94464's exact allocations or travels, but there is no doubt it would have toured the country in the course of its duties. During the late 1960's/early 1970's, E94464 was repainted into BR's new corporate blue livery, losing its lining in the process.
A few odd CCT vehicles were taken out of service in the 1970's, however the 1980's were to prove disastrous for the type. From 1981 onwards, CCT's were withdrawn in their hundreds, with only a handful surviving beyond 1985. The last vehicle remaining was recorded as being withdrawn in October 1989. E94464 was one of the earlier casualties, being taken out of use in April 1981. The reasons for withdrawal en-masse are thought to be a general decline in parcel traffic on the railways and an increasing move away from older designs of stock with 4-wheeled chassis and vacuum brakes.
E94464 was not to rest for long however, being purchased by the North Norfolk Railway later that year (1981) and transported to Sheringham to begin a new life in "working retirement". CCT's were useful as multi purpose vehicles on growing heritage railways, the NNR being no exception, and E94464 was useful as both a stores van and workshop area. A whopping 74 CCT's were transferred into preservation in total! In the 1990's the vehicle was semi-permanently attached to one end of the Carriage & Wagon tent at Weybourne, and the remains of the brackets on the end of the vehicle remain to this day as a small reminder as to its previous occupation.
By the time of the early 2000's, E94464 had been in NNR ownership for the same number of years than it had been BR. This period was also to see E94464's return to regular service. A new cycling initiative was being pursued by the railway, and two CCT vehicles were attached to the Sheringham ends of the two main summer service sets of Mark 1 vehicles. However resources were limited and E94464 had deteriorated during its time as a static store. It was quickly revived and repainted into a plan (unlined) maroon colour and put into service. E94464 then operated for approximately five years running every day there was two Mark 1 sets in service, carrying bicycles and buggies as required.
Further deterioration to the doors and running gear led to E94464 being withdrawn from service once again in the mid 2000's (its place being taken by suburban brake E43357) and it was stored at Sheringham where it was used again as a store for the commercial/events department.
The vehicle lay at Sheringham for the best part of ten years until a change of circumstances brought it "back into the fold". The catalyst was the Suburban 4 project which saw four of the railway's suburbans restored to a high standard and removed from normal services to be formed as a special set in their own right. This resulted in suburban brake E43357 being lost from the main service trains, leaving the railway short of a bike carrying vehicle. As a short term measure, the M&GN Society's "Fruit D" goods van was borrowed to serve as a replacement, however after two summers it became apparent that the level of use was proving unsuitable to the wooden bodied Fruit D. A replacement was needed urgently. Early suggestions included securing another CCT from a heritage railway, however given the level of work required on a new vehicle to make it suitable for passenger services, it was decided that E94464 was the best option as it was a (reasonably) known quantity.
Brought into the workshops in July 2017, the underneath required lubrication, springing adjustment and repainting. The body was to prove much more troublesome, with terminal corrosion present in much of the vehicle. There were riveted patches all over it, and unable to dedicate too much labour to it, we had to make a decision what was to be tackled and what was to be re-patched. It was decided to keep all of the patches along the bottom edge of the vehicle, with everything above that being repaired. This included the complete rebuilding of all six of the window bottoms which had completely wasted away through window leaks over the years.
We returned all of the original features to the bodysides, including the prominent wooden destination chalk boards, such a feature of these vehicles. The wooden end doors had rotted badly so were fully rebuilt and partially replaced. They were also made to work again so it would now technically be possible to drive vintage cars once again into the vehicle! A full repaint, for the first time back into as-built fully lined and lettered maroon livery, finished off the outside.
The inside was sanded down, repaired where required and repainted into original freight brown colours. The ceiling had badly bowed with water damage so had to be teared down and completely replaced. The floor was de-pot-holed and also repainted.
February 2018, seven months after the start of the project, saw E94464 released back into service. It is hoped that this vehicle can join the main set (or "A set") of coaches which generally sees service seven days a week and which is enjoyed by the vast majority of our visitors.
Great Eastern Railway 1899 4 Wheel Brake Third 853
Sticking with 4-wheeled vehicles, the dramatic transformation of 853 featured last week has continued at a similar pace, with scaffolding being erected around the coach to allow roof work to be tackled.
Up top, the original roof, de-canvassed revealing the original boards below, was vacuumed off leaving a surface on which to work on. Thin plywood panels have been nailed onto the original roof to smoothen out all of the discrepancies, sharp edges and other age-related issues. This creates a better surface for the replacement canvas covering to be bedded down onto.
Other smaller fittings are also being progressed, by those who have no appetite for heights! These have included the fitting of the second emergency chain to the Holt end bufferbeam (used in times gone by in case the main coupling snapped). The upper foot board steps have also been bolted on permanently and are currently in undercoat.
British Railways 1959 Brake Corridor Composite E21224
Progress on all of the fronts discussed last week. Firstly, all of the areas of bare metal are now primed to offer it limited protection for when the coach goes to Bridge Road sheds later this year.
Secondly the store cupboard has moved onto the next coat of paint, a fetching pink primer!
Lastly the flooring repairs are continuing along the corridor now that the compartments are completed. Several replacement square sections have been produced and gloss painted on the backs to protect them once they are finally fitted.
British Railways 1955 Mark 1 Second Open M4372
The release of E94464 of course means we have a new project! 4372 is part of the dining train and is generally in very good condition. Unfortunately the cream paint used on the bodysides has crazed and broken down badly since it has been in service leading to deterioration and unsightly rust streaks. Whilst the underframe and interior require no work whatsoever, the exterior now requires repainting.
Irritatingly the reacted paint means that the cream will need stripping off fully which has been the first task, started this week. Several window fixings have failed so they are going to require stripping, resealing and re-securing. There is a lot of work to do on 4372 and very little time to do it in, so resources are being concentrated intensely in order to complete this one faster. It will be interesting to see over the coming weeks how fast we can move this one forwards using this approach.
British Railways 1959 Tourist Second Open M4843
The end is starting to be in sight for the Sheringham end seaward side corner. Panelwork is now being welded into position, with several complicated corner sections being tackled this week.
British Railways 1958 Class 101 Railcar Driving Motor Brake Second M51188
The railway has hired a Class 101 DMU powercar for the 2018 season to cover for the National Railway Museum (which suffered an engine failure earlier this month) and NNR (overhaul not yet completed) vehicles. It is to be used on services as soon as possible however there are several features which do not meet our service standards. This has included several doors which do not open/shut properly, although hopefully these can be solved with replacement of minor items within the hinges etc. These repairs have been started this week and can hopefully be completed in a couple of days. Other fun discoveries included mushrooms growing in the guards compartment! There is a great deal of damp in this area and two panels have had to be removed as they broke apart when prodded. These are being replaced with new examples.
British Railways 1958 Class 101 Railcar Driving Trailer Second Lavatory M56352
No progress to report.
Southern Railway 1939 Parcels & Miscellaneous Van S1359S
This van was moved from Weybourne to Sheringham at the same time as CCT E94464, so is now officially released from our workshop!
Maintenance
Amazingly, what with all of the other action going on, routine maintenance work has been able to continue. Some of the faults flagged up during C examinations at Sheringham are being tackled. A rotten ceiling from Corridor Second E25189 has been ripped down and a replacement made in the workshop, which is currently being painted. Meanwhile, an overhauled buckeye coupling has been fitted to dining car E1969 after its original was found to be worn.
