We start with a note to record the sad passing of Wendy Anderson earlier today. Wendy was a long running figure within Carriage & Wagon preservation on a national level, being involved in multiple railways (including the NNR) and even supplied replacement parts to the movement. She was very friendly, a character, and will be much missed. RIP Wendy.
London North Eastern Railway 1950 Brake Corridor Third E1866 (GOLD)
The Thompson coach continues to progress steadily. Varnishing work continues on several doors and the toilet door has now joined the party. This one needed less work than the corridor end doors and is already looking good having had some varnish reapplied.
The through control lighting cables have also been tested with the coach now able to have its lights put on (or off) by an adjacent coach. The coach also "sends" the correct signal when the guards van lighting controller is operated. Also on the electrical front, the dynamo has been proven to be operational, and has been spun in reverse, effectively turning it onto a motor which is a novelty.
British Railways 1959 Brake Corridor Composite E21224 (GOLD)
Jobs are now being crossed off the list for this vehicle, which is scheduled to be completed in time for the Steam Gala in two weeks time. The damaged air braking pipework has now been repaired meaning we have a complete air brake system again which can be tested when we can get a dual braked shunting loco to it. Various brackets on the underframe of the coach, associated with the new toilet installation, have been painted up to black gloss. Inside the vehicle, the four repaired steam heating elements have been bolted back into place and connected up, and again are now awaiting testing. Finally, the lino flooring has been cleaned, hoovered and a coat of lino seal applied. We wish we'd have done this when the lino was newly fitted in hindsight!
British Railways 1956 Brake Corridor Composite E21103 (SILVER)
Door fitting has continued to be the main focus. We have made excellent headway and now nine out of ten doors have been successfully fitted! This has been a long running task and the final door, the landward side guards inward opening door, is now also well on its way to making up a full set. With most of the doors complete, a great start has been made on the landward side bodyside sanding and filling work. This side is less disturbed and more straightforward than the seaward side, and this shows as a large area has been prepared very quickly.
The bogie overhaul continues and all brakegear and springs are now all cleaned down and painted up to gloss black to await fitting. The wheelsets are now all that remain to be completed before we can reassemble the bogie. The outstanding wheelset (the other is already painted and currently in the lathe) has been cleaned back to bare metal and will be painted shortly.
The interior has slowed but has not been forgotten. Varnishing work has continued with the current focus remaining on the side corridor.
British Railways 1956 Tourist Second Open E4236 (BRONZE)
The eighth conveyor belt coach took a back seat for a week but is now back in business. This week has seen the roof repainted, the two end doors painted from cream to brown and all the bodysides given a coat of maroon. This is the first vehicle on the railway to receive Craftmaster's version of BR maroon. The lining was taped over and then quickly revealed after the maroon was applied. This vehicle is also due back into traffic in time for the Steam Gala.
British Railways 1962 Tourist Second Open M4958 (BRONZE)
Work on cleaning and re-varnishing the interior woodwork, reupholstering the seats, and repainting the seat ends continues.
British Railways (SR Design) 1948 25 Ton Brakevan 55167 (SILVER)
No clear pictures are available until the vehicle is shunted out of the museum awning, however the Holt based restoration team have declared that the vehicle's overhaul is finished and it's available for service once more! The brakevan will debut in two weeks time at the Steam Gala.
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