August News Part 2

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

Work continues on most fronts, including adding the rounded corners to the main bodyside lights. With the doors reaching a mature stage in their fitting, this has allowed the footboards to be the next task. These had been replaced by good examples during the vehicle's Llangollen restoration which had never seen use, so these examples have been prepared to go back on. Some issues regarding their finished height have been discovered after a dry fit, so they will be coming off again to be modified slightly to bring them lower.

London North Eastern Railway Brake Third Open E16631E (GOLD)

The "new" Gresley brake intended for the future LNER mainline set, whilst still off site awaiting transfer to another location for contract restoration, is having a few parts prepared for it here, to shorten the fitting out time required when it eventually does arrive. A set of battery box covers have been cleaned up and repainted with some new strap handles added.

Additionally, brake van parts are receiving similar treatment. The wooden box which surrounds the handbrake wheel is smashed on 16631 so another has been prepared. Also missing is the mesh front for the emergency equipment cupboard, so one of these has also been prepared.

London North Eastern Railway 1924 Quad Articulated Set 74

As hinted in last week's update, the Quad Art set was quickly reassembled and given a fitness to run exam with its replacement wheelsets installed. Thompson BG 70621 was also similarly put back together so that its handbrake is operational again. With both complete, they were returned to Bridge Road sheds one evening. The opportunity was also taken to move completed ballast hopper HW426 to Holt where it is significantly closer to being put into the freight set.

The Quads will next be in use for the 1940's weekend, whilst the hopper is set to make its debut at the rescheduled Steam Gala in early October.

British Railways 1961 Brake First Open M14021 (GOLD)

On the return run of the move which took the Quad-Arts away, M14021 returned from brief storage at Holt and was delivered to Weybourne for the Gold restoration to officially start. This coach is set to be in these notes for a very long time as we make our way through a long and thorough restoration!

It was initially kept outside for a few days, which allowed the bogies, underframe and bodysides to receive a harsh jet-washing. Much moss, dirt, rust and even paint was removed by this process, which is a little less to strip off in due course during the restoration.

This done, M14021 was moved inside, where it remains awaiting the first parts to be started.

British Railways 1956 Brake Corridor Composite E21103 (SILVER)

Following much delay things are picking up again as we ready the coach for a return to service. The new target is for the vehicle to make its debut at the 1940's weekend. Following some Covid downtime, the lining has been swiftly applied and the coach is now completed in this regard.

A start has now been made on the lettering, with the seaward side having the black shading applied. This task will continue next week. Whilst the lining and lettering has been worked on, the opportunity has also been taken to flat down the maroon paintwork in readiness for the coach returning into the staging for a final varnish once everything else is completed.

British Railways 1957 Tourist Second Open 4667

The painting of the "Holt Picnic Saloon" has been progressing well with volunteers. The bodysides have all received a coat of green undercoat and the gloss is now out with a first coat applied to several window frames and a door or two.

The interior freshen up has now also been completed, with the wooden window surrounds receiving further coats of brown gloss to tidy them up.

London Transport 1955 20 Ton Ballast Hopper HW426

This wagon has now been completed, passing its fitness to run exam. It has now departed us to Holt where it will be shunted into the freight set in time to star at the postponed Steam Gala in early October. It is a great credit to all of the team who contributed to its restoration.

British Railways 1954 13 Ton Pipe Open B740918

No progress to report.

British Railways 1953 20 Ton Lowmac TDB904093

Repainting work continues, with areas of primer turning into areas of undercoat. The tractor's wheels are the latest item to be treated.

Maintenance

Worthy of mention is the myriad of smaller jobs on the running rolling stock which have been cropping up over the busiest period of the year for the railway. Whether it be door locks out of alignment, wobbly tables and armrests, or bits of fallen off trim, great efforts have been made to keep on top of the steady stream of tasks coming in. This year has been particularly interesting as we are currently without our paid fitness to run examiner who normally deals with most of the faults over the running season. Our thanks go in particular to several of our volunteers who have been absent from the workshop and out in the field plugging this temporary gap in order to keep the show going!