January News Part 2

Great Northern Railway (later M&GN) 1887 6 Wheel Third 129

The second coat of varnish has now been applied, which has completed the exterior work on this vehicle. It looks very smart again following the varnish work! This week has seen brake testing work, which has been slightly more in-depth than usual, owing to the fact that the vehicle's brake system has not had a "normal" overhaul, it's gained a wheelset for a start and a new design of brake rigging! To this end more thorough testing than usual is being undertaken to ensure the vehicle behaves like we want/expect it to, and that there are no last minute nasties or modifications required. So far, all has been well with no more than tweaks required. Further mechanical work will be required before it is passed for service, most of which will involve weighing and spring adjustment to maximise the vehicle's smoothness and ensure it is putting its weight down through the six wheels properly and evenly.

Moving onto the inside of the vehicle, the new battery has been fitted under one of the seats, which is powering the LED lighting. 129, being the first in the vintage train project, was not fitted with the same system as the others, so it has been brought "in line" with the fleet. Caravan batteries weren't really in fashion during the days of the M&GN, so it has been tucked away in a period box, just in case anyone were to spot it whilst bending down under the seats to retrieve any dropped shillings!

The premium job for this week however has been the application of Great Northern blue lining to the interior panels and ceiling in one of the compartments, with the rest to follow. This line, very thin, very straight and very attractive, sets off the otherwise plain white interior. We have kept, in the corner of the shed, an original GNR compartment wall covering from the original restoration in the early 2000's, as a pattern to reproduce this delicate lining. It has only waited 20 or so years to get round to the job of finishing the interior decorations. Due to the requirement to finish 129 for a gala in 2009, the lining was never applied first time round.

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

With 129's work coming towards a conclusion, work is increasing once again on this vehicle. The project to rebuild the doors has restarted with a further example dismantled for repair and others rising from the ashes.

The large guards cupboard is also gaining ground and has received a coat of cream followed by further sanding and filling work.

Metal works to the brass passenger window components continues to progress.

British Railways 1959 Brake Corridor Composite E21224 (GOLD)

Interior reconstruction continues. Four out of the five interior compartments are now fitted out with their veneered panels, with only odd trim which we have lost now missing.

In the luggage compartment, the last of the planked walls have been assembled, on the seaward side, with just a few adjustments now required to it next week. This area is now starting to look more like a coach once again.

Less exciting has been further door work, with the final adjustments to the door locks and catches made on the inward opening guards doors. This is a real achievement as they are notoriously difficult to get right... More work has also been done on the two pairs of double doors, with trim being added around the outside, required to be in place to get the "final fit" on the locking mechanisms for the doors.

Some parts from the interior, which were missed out of the "main effort" a year or so ago, are now being chased up so that they can be installed during the next few months. One such set of items have been the covers for the electric heaters in the side corridor: these are now repainted in silver and ready for refitting once we're ready.

Outside work has been limited to removing the metal elements of the Sheringham end corridor connection, which have remarkably stayed on un-restored for all this time. They are in OK condition so simply need cleaning and repainting before reassembly.

British Railways 1957 Tourist Second Open E4521 (SILVER)

Good progress is being made again on the Sheringham (toilet) end of the vehicle. The new skin has been fitted to the seaward side corner and now fully welded into place.

Paint stripping the doors also continues.

British Railways 1957 Corridor Second W25189 (BRONZE)

The outside (bodysides) is now in first coat of gloss, with rubbing down and a second coat due to follow next week. Whilst the gloss was hardening, the opportunity was taken to get an undercoat on the two end doors, which had lagged behind the rest of the exterior until now.

On the inside of the vehicle, the whole carriage has been cleaned down and de-dusted thoroughly before the compartments have one last varnish coat. This has also included cleaning the internal glass and scraping all of the spills and marks on the lino floor. The seats have also received a clean.

British Railways 1958 Covered Carriage Truck M94125 (REPAIR)

No progress to report.

Maintenance

C exams continue. Occasionally we use a helicopter to deliver maintenance staff to site, as this photo surely proves!?!