March News Part 3

Great Eastern Railway 1899 4 Wheel Brake Third 853

The glazing arrived this week which has allowed a start to be made on this task, which is one of the final major ones left in the vehicle's restoration. Two have been fitted so far in the guards end.

In the meantime, much of the brass-work such as the door hinges are having paint scraped off them as there has been a change of heart. They were previously to be painted (as they were in the vehicle's latter days) but it has now been decided that they would be better plain brass (as per the vehicle's earlier days).

London North Eastern Railway 1950 Brake Corridor Third E1866E

The exposed heavy framework at the Sheringham end under the luggage van area has been cleaned up this week and painted with surplus, end-of-life paint to protect the hidden areas. The sooner the floor is back in place, the better!

Last week we reported how E1866E was to be the beneficiary of the lighting control equipment and dynamo removed from the Gresley Buffet (E9128E). Well the Gresley got its own back this week as the buckeye coupling on E1866E was nicked and went the other way in order to fit to E9128E to allow it to pass its exam and reenter service for the Steam Gala next weekend. The Gresley had a worn example which can be rebuilt in due course, and it had failed its gauging test.

British Railways 1959 Brake Corridor Composite E21224

Not a great deal to report this week - as underframe work had to be halted so that we didn't trap the DMU in the back of the shed. Some more welding of floor supports has been done with the latest area to be renewed being under the guards compartment which was sitting at the incorrect height.

The letter rack, also for the guards compartment, has been cleaned up and sprayed in primer ready to go silver.

We were able to get a good view of the recent work to the bodyside and Sheringham end bogie during a shunt at the end of the week.

British Railways 1959 Tourist Second Open M4843

The main focus this week has been getting both corridor connections refitted, which was achieved over two days. The troublesome pins and bushes were adjusted and fitted to the bottom end of the Sheringham end connection, these were the parts we had been waiting for to be manufactured and ordered. The Holt end was more straightforward to remove but much more awkward to fit as for some reason it wanted to put up a fight!

Before the Holt end could be fitted a degree of preparation work was undertaken including the fitting of the woodwork which sits behind the connection and gives something for the flexible bellows to screw into.

On the bogies, the repainted bearing caps have all been refitted with each bearing washed, cleaned and re-greased properly during the process.

Preparations to refit the gutters which had to be removed for metalwork repairs, are still ongoing.

The same day that M4843 was extracted to refit the Holt end corridor connection, it was moved into the staging area, where final refitting of the components which sit very high (such as gutters, corridor connection bellows and toilet filler pipes) can now progress from a better level.

The seaward side store cupboard is now also up to undercoat stage.

British Railways 1958 Class 101 Railcar Driving Motor Brake Second M51188

We are now firmly into finishing touches territory. The windows are all refitted and the top lining has been applied (two coats, cream) which concluded the work to be done inside the staging area. The vehicle was moved outside and back into the shed on the opposite side which showed off the fresh green paint in the sun.

The yellow panel has also been painted onto the front - specially applied to upset those with an aversion to them!

Much work has also been done on smaller but essential finishing tasks such as cleaning window glass and removal of stray paint from glass and door handles etc.

Maintenance

The Gresley Buffet and Suburban brake have both now been returned to Sheringham following minor works and exams. The Gresley has now been fully recommissioned mechanically, as mentioned earlier receiving a replacement buckeye coupling. The suburban brake has had step adjustments made, a super-deep step being the eventual solution to the problems that the guards were having getting in and out. Both will see use during the upcoming gala.