January News Part 4

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

More progress on ongoing projects such as the varnished end doors.

British Railways 1956 Brake Corridor Composite E21103 (SILVER)

Varnishing of the compartments has continued with compartment three joining the previous two to receive its spruce up. The opportunity has been taken to give the interior a good hoover out to stop too much spoiling.

The vehicle is now fully glazed again, as the final panes of glass were secured into place on the guards end windows. The second of the two new window frames were also fitted to the wheelchair saloon, finishing this end.

The Holt end corridor connection now has its springs fitted to the top to secure the faceplate and the rubber weather shield fitted over the top as a hood. This end is now complete apart from the two lighting jumper cables.

The bogie overhaul has now slowed due to the requirement to undertake C exams on the operational coaches at Sheringham. Some more painting of the side frames has progressed however.

Bodyside paint preparation is now in full swing with the lower half of the seaward side receiving the sanding and filling treatment.

British Railways 1955 Mark 1 Second Open M4372 (BRONZE)

The sixth vehicle in the conveyor belt is now substantially complete, with the lining on the seaward side being applied and closely followed by a coat of varnish all the way round. Unfortunately the low temperaturtes prevented us from scraping down the paint off the window glass, so the coach has stayed in the shed to allow a further week of paint hardening, after which we will attempt to scrape the windows again. In the meantime, some finishing touches such as refitting the brass grab handles and painting round the corridor connections has taken place.

British Railways 1960 Restaurant Buffet (Refurbished) E1969 (BRONZE)

The seventh conveyor belt coach, which has been loitering outside the shed, has now been moved into the staging area and will be the next major focus for a few weeks. Mercifully, it is in much better condition than M4372 which slowed us down by around a week.

British Railways 1956 Tourist Second Open E4236 (BRONZE)

The eighth conveyor belt coach has been moved up from Sheringham early, partly due to the track works which are going to be separating the railway during the early part of February, but also because we will hopefully be able to start this one before the previous vehicle is completed, now that the Class 37 has exited (see below). It is currently outside the shed where it will remain until M4372 is complete.

British Railways 1962 Tourist Second Open M4958 (REPAIRS)

This coach has now been moved up from Sheringham and is in the yard to aid in the reupholstering process. All of the seating has now been removed from the framework allowing a good hoover out from under the seats, a task which is rarely able to be done. It may receive a few other odds and sods whilst it is up here, although this will be labour dependent. M4958 will miss the start of the season, but it is hoped it will be completed in time for the busier months!

British Railways 1961 English Electric Type 3 D6732

Now completed, this loco has been returned outside and back to its owner. It looks superb in the daylight and Heritage Painting have done an excellent job.

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

The upper regions of the cabin interior are now receiving cream top coat, after prepping was completed.

A number of minor jobs have also been undertaken including cleaning the vent covers, not an easy task. It is beginning to look very smart inside.

Maintenance

Whilst out on winter works duties, one of the windows on the Permanent Way "TRAMM" became removed. These are perspex windows and it survived intact meaning it was a relatively straightforward task to come out and return it into place, back in its rubbers, making the cab whole and watertight again.

Down at Sheringham, C examinations are in full swing with the main passenger "A set" being the focus of attention at present. A four coach formation (plus buggy carrier) has been formed for next month's half term week now that all of the end examinations to the couplings and gangways have been completed. The remaining tasks will be undertaken next week.