The yo-yo that is furlough has bounced back up once more and there are now four of us in Carriage & Wagon again. Sadly in order to remain responsible the volunteer situation has to remain the same which means we will continue to progress at a fraction of the speed we once ran at. However for the first time since October some non-contract work is now able to tentatively progress again, which I hope to resume bringing updates on, but please don't expect too much action!
London North Eastern Railway 1950 Brake Corridor Third E1866E (GOLD)
Since the last update the contract bogie overhauls have continued to progress. The central sprung bolster was completed and painted on the first bogie and accordingly lifted back into position. The first bogie is therefore essentially completed now and is inside the shed awaiting its friend to join it. The second bogie has had all its brakegear painted which is now ready for reassembly. The final items to prepare for the big assembly have been the two wheelsets.
These are now fully painted up to gloss and the axleboxes are now being prepared to refitting.
Part of the contract is also to prepare and fit metal plates above where the wheels are going to sit to act as barriers to the "road dirt" that tends to get slung up onto the underside of the floor. This is particularly important to guard against on a vehicle such as this with its wooden floor. Measurements have taken place ready to cut these sheets.
In between lockdowns (back in 2020) some volunteer work continued to progress and the cleaning, repairs and general preparations to the sliding saloon windows were completed. These were good winter bench jobs and the windows are now stored ready for when the time comes to refit them. Other work has included some wire terminations inside the guards compartment, which accommodates part of the additional wiring being installed as part of the conversion from the coach's previous corridor life to the open saloon format that it will emerge as.
London North Eastern Railway 1931 Corridor Third E12493E (BRONZE)
The refresh work was concluded some time ago (in the autumn) and the coach now looks a lot better resplendent in maroon. I still haven't had chance to get a photograph of it, mainly as I have had no cause to visit Sheringham station for any "essential" reasons!
British Railways 1959 Brake Corridor Composite E21224 (GOLD)
Not a huge update this time, as the coach was halted immediately when staff were furloughed. However all being well there will be greater progress to report over the coming weeks as the coach is the current priority. Work has resumed on the Holt end vestibule and it is clear to get things right several of the wooden trim pieces have to be either modified or replaced where missing. This is of course taking time but more paneling is going in and making the area look more complete all the time.
Also started are the very final preparations for applying the much delayed paint to the exterior of the vehicle, which should hopefully transform it! It is being checked and double checked all the way around the ensure the outside is completely finished and ready for paint next week.
A few "loose ends" such as the corridor end lighting jumper cables and the small hooks that the luggage doors latch on to (when being held in the open position) are being prepared and fitted. Once these are completed we will work top down and apply the final coat of roof paint and then bodyside paint. This was originally scheduled for April (2020), and again in November, so third time lucky!
Maintenance
Maintenance has continued throughout... the only element of C&W not to cease really. This is set to continue and a series of examinations now need completing if our stock is to be safe to run later this year. These can't be done quickly so have to be done now and in a certain order if the correct compartment stock is to be available for any of the potential commercial/operating scenarios (best case right through to worst case) that are being considered.
The only large maintenance support that has been ongoing in the workshops has been the cleaning and partial repainting of a Mark 1 wheelset which is being prepared for brake coach 21103 which has wheel flats at one end.
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