March News Part 4

In great British tradition, we shall start with a generic weather related comment, it's getting warmer! This has made the workshop more pleasant if nothing else, with lots as usual to report on!

Great Eastern Railway 1899 4 Wheel Brake Third 853

The roof is currently on hold as the late winter weather has meant that the roofing compound is taking its time somewhat to dry, so the order of the day has been to be busy with other tasks whilst allowing the roof to absorb as many degrees as possible. One of these tasks has been the steaming and clamping of two roof hoop shaped sections of ash that are destined for the ends of the coach pinning the edge canvas to the body. Whilst they successfully steamed and were clamped to a tighter radius than required in their finished shape, when un-clamped they sprung back to a straighter shape than desired. They have now been further adjusted and will hopefully be suitable for use next week.

Also on the outside of the coach, some of the guards handrails are being fitted to the doorways.

On the guards end of the vehicle, the end steps are now bolted on permanently and a particularly attractive feature, the red tail light, also put into position. The lighting itself needs finishing, but the physical housing is now in and can be suitably modeled if someone shines a torch through it from the inside!

Inside the guards van itself, the vacuum piping is now fully finished with a painted emergency brake valve and a very polished vacuum gauge in position in the correct places.

British Railways 1959 Brake Corridor Composite E21224

We have been able to reallocate resources onto this coach that had previously been "stolen" for the big push on M4372! This week saw recommencement of the project to renew the floors inside the side corridor and also progress on the stripping and painting of the wooden interior parts for the luggage van area. Inside the store cupboard three shelves have also been produced this week, shaped to fit (due to the curved bodyside profile of the coach, each shelf is a different length/size) and then fitted into position onto the brackets that were fitted previously.

British Railways 1955 Mark 1 Second Open M4372

The coach is being simultaneously sanded and painted, seaward and landward sides respectively. This is a cruel necessity due to the short timescale we have on this carriage, and the paint is inevitably getting dust in it as it dries! However sometimes compromise is necessary and we are progressing well with getting the coach ready to return to service as soon as possible. The seaward side paint preparation has progressed hugely over the week with large areas of the upper section (around the windows) now filled and sanded smooth.

Meanwhile, the landward side is transformed, with a coat of primer and undercoat both applied during the week. The undercoats are split as red and cream undercoats are required for the differing colours that form the "Crimson & Cream" livery. By close of play, the upper (cream) sections had also received their first coat of gloss. It is starting to look like a dining coach once again!

British Railways 1959 Tourist Second Open M4843

The final section of welding repair has now been completed to the Sheringham corridor end, bringing to and end quite a saga that was hugely more involved than originally anticipated! This heralds the half way point for the corridor end welding repairs. Attention will now soon be turning towards round 2, the Holt end, and with welding completed we can now also consider refitting the Sheringham end internally. No rest for the wicked!

British Railways 1958 Class 101 Railcar Driving Motor Brake Second M51192

Re-upholstery of the seating continues.

Easter Break

Sadly due to a combination of taking time off and going off on holidays, there will be no Blog update next week. However subject to me not getting impounded in Customs trying to bring back Hungarian carriage mementos home, normal service will resume in two weeks time! Viszont látásra!