January News Part 3

London North Eastern Railway 1950 Brake Corridor Third E1866 (GOLD)

More progress on bits and pieces mainly associated with the doors. The first of the door lock mechanisms are starting to be fitted, to the luggage area door on the landward side.

British Railways 1956 Brake Corridor Composite E21103 (SILVER)

Re-varnishing of the compartments has continued, with a second (compartment 4) joining the first which was completed last week.

The remaining three compartments have had their internal wooden window surrounds fitted making the compartments "whole" again. 

On the exterior of the vehicle, the Holt end rubber bellows have been fitted to the corridor connection and secured to the end of the coach. This end is now close to completion with only some minor parts now left to fit.

The bogie overhaul continues, with the leaf springs and associated hangars now removed and in the process of cleaning. The outer bogie side frames have been cleaned back and have received rust-inhibitor.

British Railways 1955 Mark 1 Second Open M4372 (BRONZE)

The sixth of the conveyor belt coaches is now back on track following delays caused by unexpected corrosion. The affected areas around the windows have been built up through undercoat to bring them up to the same stage as the rest of the coach. This allowed gloss paint, both cream and crimson, to be applied to the relevant areas along both sides of the coach, bringing the luster back to the vehicle's appearance. The damaged lining has also been reapplied on the landward side, with the seaward side to follow next week.

British Railways 1961 English Electric Type 3 D6732

This week has seen a focus on finishing touches now that the loco is nearly complete. The headcode boxes have been secured shut and the winding handles for them polished or painted as appropriate and fitted back in place. Some overhead warning signage has been refitted to the nose ends, and the four worksplates are now back in place on the bodysides.

British Railways (SR Design) 1948 25 Ton Brakevan 55167 (SILVER)

This week further undercoat has been applied in the cabin in places where it had not taken very well.

Both ends of the cabin floor were cleaned out and rust inhibitor applied. Timber to fill a void found in this area, has been sourced and primed ready for fitting next week.

Banger (of building department fame) deserves thanks for the loan of lights, tools etc to the Holt wagon outpost, along with Dave King for allowing access to the warmth of the museum during breaks at this inclement time of year!