September News Part 1

Great Eastern Railway 1899 4 Wheel Brake Third 853

Further progress has been made on the complicated shading lettering that is so much a feature of this particular carriage. Browns, reds, pinks, whites, blacks and creams have all been added to the various letters and numbers where appropriate. This process is still ongoing.

Inside the vehicle, the luggage rack netting is now complete and attention has been turned to loose components within the guards area. Obtained, painted and mounted items have included emergency ladders, a screw coupling and a spare vacuum hose, recycled from one of the DMU vehicles!

The wheelchair companions seat has also been upholstered and is receiving final trim work.

London North Eastern Railway 1950 Brake Corridor Third E1866E (GOLD)

The bulk of the underframe repainting is now complete, with both sides having been needle gunned and first primed, followed by black gloss.

Inside the vehicle, the luggage planking continues to progress with some areas now also painted with blackboard paint.

In a similar fashion to 853, an emergency screw coupling has been painted and fitted in place.

The toilet plumbing continues to progress steadily.

British Railways 1959 Brake Corridor Composite E21224 (GOLD)

Bodywork continues.Over the past two weeks the lower half skin has been welded onto the Holt corridor end, giving a much more complete appearance.

These included two of the complicated compound corners which take a bit of time to get right.

The middle passenger door on the seaward side is now pretty much finished after its outer weather strips were fitted in place.

These same strips have also been fitted to the seaward side guards door.

Work on the two replacement doors for the Holt end continues, with the second one now fully stripped down to its individual parts. All of the metal pieces for both doors have now been grit blasted back to metal for repainting or repairs as required.

Stripping of the woodwork for these two doors also continues to progress.

Inside the vehicle, the woodwork along the side corridor has received a further coat of varnish which is steadily bringing it to a high gloss finish.

British Railways 1957 Tourist Second Open E4521 (SILVER)

The toilet window mentioned last time has now had the hidden faces painted in a protective coat of gloss, so this can now be stored safely until it is time to refit it.

Work to remove all of the sliding windows has now been completed. These will be cleaned up in due course.

Stripping down the corroded bodywork at the Sheringham end is now almost complete, with the seaward side corner now without its skin.

This shows, in all its glory, the unsafe structural pillars which are all missing where they should join onto the chassis. It is this essential work that must be undertaken before the coach can even be considered for running in service again, and is one of the reasons the Mark 1 Silver and Gold restorations take so long!

There is now just a small section above the corridor connection left to remove.

British Railways 1957 Corridor Second W25189 (BRONZE)

Bodywork repairs are racing along this coach faster than they can be reported on! Since last update all of the window bottoms on the landward side have been renewed where required, with each getting a greater or lesser degree of attention. Several have been replaced all along the bottom.

Work is now focussing on the Holt end. So far, a repair section has been made on the landward corner where the lower skirt had failed.

The lower section next to the corridor connection has now been sliced off, a repairs made to the bottom of the end pillar in the corner.

Inside the vehicle, four of the eight compartments have been rubbed down for re-varnishing. All four currently have different numbers of coats of varnish, however the first compartment is starting to look much better for it.

British Railways 1962 12 Ton Box Van B784254 (GOLD)

The roof work is now almost completed, with black paint being applied to the roof canvas which is the final stage in its restoration.

Attention is now firmly on the sides, specifically the doors, which are having new outer skins fitted. Two of these are now fitted, to the landward side, with the second pair being prepared.

A pair of buffers have also been sent away for overhaul for eventual use on the vehicle.

Next Week

It will be another two weeks before another Blog, heading to Wales this time!