Quad-Art Coaches Successfully Separated

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

Work has continued well along existing lines. The exterior in particular is going well with the incorrect square windows being changed to the authentic rounded ones. So far 50% of the new corners have been welded in.

To reinforce some queries we have had recently about the windows, the BR built Thompsons, of which E1866 is one, were produced with rounded edges to the windows, similar to the later BR Mark 1 style, superseding the original square cornered windows (see image below). This change was in fact made in the late LNER era. This is how E1866 is being returned, after it was given square corners during its previous preservation-era restoration. The image shows a Thompson BTK which externally pretty much provides the inspiration for how E1866 will emerge in due course.

London North Eastern Railway 1924 Quad Articulated Set 74

The main focus this week has of course been the extensive works on the Quad-Art set, which has been separated for the first time since it was assembled following extensive restoration over ten years ago. Over a week of preparations were made, including some risk/paper based lifting plans, as well as dismantling of safety chains, brake-gear, electrical and vacuum connections on the coaches themselves, ready for the split. Meanwhile, the two "new" wheelsets from Thompson BG 70621 were cleaned down, repainted and mechanically revived to make them fit for service once again.

With everything ready, two days of intense lifting followed. Firstly, the second coach in (48862) was jacked up into the air to separate it from its shared coupling from brake coach 48861. The end coach can't just be lifted off the rest of the set on its own, as they share a centre point above the bogie and 48862 sits on top of 48861, via male and female bowl shaped castings which are in turn bolted to the head-stocks.

Once raised up, 48862 was stood on stands allowing end vehicle 48861 to be rolled away and into the sheds taking two (of the set's five) bogies in with it. It was the intermediate bogie that sits between 48861 & 48862 that was required.

It was very strange seeing a coach with what looked like a bogie half hanging out of the end of the coach! However we were now able to undertake a "conventional lift" using our four post jacks, as we do routinely on normal vehicles. This raised 48861's body up into the air, releasing the two bogies below.

The next stage was to wheel out the intermediate bogie which we could now treat as per a normal one. In a flurry of activity, all of the linkages, brake-gear, safety slings etc were removed allowing the bogie frame to be lifted off the two wheels, which were put aside (more of which later) and the two freshly painted replacements put in their place. The bogie frame was then lowered back down onto the two wheels, and we finished for the day, tired but pleased!

Day two dawned, and we were tasked with much the same tasks in reverse. The first angle of attack was putting all the slings and brake-gear back together on the affected bogie which now had shiny replacement wheelsets. This done, the bogie was pushed back under 48861 which was lowered back down.

We then pushed 48861 back onto the remaining three coaches, with 48862 waiting patiently on its stands for its partner to return!

48862 was lifted up again and the holding stands removed. Very carefully, it was then lowered down slowly back onto 48861's shared centre castings. There had been much anxiety about locating these accurately and without damage, but in the end their curved shape meant they slid into each other effortlessly and located accurately all by themselves! The design of over 100 years ago is as good today as it ever was.

With the Quads themselves back together by early afternoon we made use of the lifting gear and personnel being available by putting the old wheelsets back into the donor Thompson BG bogie. The bogie frame had been stood on stands on the opposite side of the workshop for the duration, so was now lifted up itself and put back onto the old wheels. The final task of the day was lifting the Thompson BG body and putting its bogie back under.

The remainder of this week should see the loose ends of this large project tied up, namely reconnecting all of the brake-gear, vacuum pipes etc on both the Quads and the Thompson BG. This will complete our involvement with both sets of vehicles, though we do require contractors to do more work on the Quads tyre turning the wheels, so they will still be appearing in these notes again.

British Railways 1956 Brake Corridor Composite E21103 (SILVER)

A third coat of maroon gloss has been applied down both sides, which completes the main body painting. The vehicle is now ready for lining, lettering and varnishing.

British Railways 1962 Tourist Second Open M4958 (BRONZE)

This coach has now been returned to Sheringham and has reentered service.

British Railways 1957 Tourist Second Open 4667

The "Holt picnic saloon" has progressed well. All of the metalwork plates have been applied over any corroded holes making the vehicle reasonably watertight for the near future. All paint preparation work has also been completed with all the sides now rubbed down. This has allowed painting to commence. The two ends have been completed already with black undercoats and gloss applied.

A start has now been made on the main bodysides, which will be green. So far, six of eight main bodyside window frames have been undercoated. More would have been done, however 4667 had to spend a few days outside to make room for the Quad Arts.

London Transport 1955 20 Ton Ballast Hopper HW426

The hopper wagon has now been completed and it looks excellent. All remaining painting has now been completed, including a second coat inside the "tub". The final outstanding lettering, the tare weights, has also been applied.

The final task was the replacement of a damaged axlebox oil pad and the cleaning of the remaining three. They were all re-soaked in bearing oil and successfully refitted.

The hopper is now in the yard awaiting transport to Holt to take its place in the demonstration goods set. All being well the vehicle will be making its debut at the August Steam Gala in a week or so's time.

British Railways 1954 13 Ton Pipe Open B740918

Work has concentrated on finishing HW426, however with the latter now done the Pipe will become a more major focus for the remaining drier months. A good start has been made on needle gunning the underframe and metal elements of the body, with some areas also receiving rust-kill primer.

British Railways 1953 20 Ton Lowmac TDB904093

Painting continues on the vehicle, with some parts of the tractor now also being treated and primed.

Hurst Nelson 1944 4 Wheel Petroleum Tank 5304

The tank wagon up at Holt, much like HW426, has been completed and is now awaiting commissioning and debut into service at the Steam Gala.

Workshop

E21224's five tables continue to progress, though again the flurry of activity on the Quads stopped play for a week!