Articulated Gresley Bogie Acquired

British Railways 1961 Brake First Open (Kitchen) M14021 (GOLD)

Bodyside windows continue to be a focus with another two days spent on the long task of re-drilling and tapping alloy trim sections to correct 60 years worth of damage. This has been backed up by a start being made on the sliding lights, which so far have not been touched. These are having their paint stripped off the frames and attempts made to clean up the aluminium corrosion present on the non-painted internal side. Once stripped they are being polished and so far the metal itself looks to be in good condition considering their age.

The other area of progress is the door overhauls. The third door has now been stripped to bare metal, repainted into primer and mechanical fittings added, bringing it up to the same stage as door two. Both of these are now awaiting their woodwork to complete.

The fourth door has been stripped down to its component parts and the skin is now part way through having its old paint stripped.

British Railways 1962 First Open M3116 (SILVER)

All of the seaward side windows are now removed and have had all their old sealant removed ready for repainting.

The seaward bodyside is now prepped ready for paint and work on the coach itself has turned to the Sheringham corridor end, which has one corner in particular which had been repaired badly by a contractor last time the coach was overhauled. Much filler and pop rivets was in evidence which had failed over time allowing water in. This area was stripped back and new skin work properly welded into place this time. We also replaced some missing plate work which supports the passenger communication apparatus. The area is still in progress but is now going back together again, the good news being that we have caught the water ingress in time, before it had chance to severely damage any of the structural framework.

The two sliding end doors have had their repaints finished, and the Holt end example has been refitted back onto the coach.

British Railways 1958 Class 101 Railcar Driving Motor Brake Second M51188

The work to fit emergency equipment brackets to the guards brake has now been completed, with some final modifications to the fire extinguisher and fire beater brackets this week. Once we have some more materials arrive we will add the final touches which are the straps to hold the extinguishers and wheelchair ramp in place.

Also in the guards brake, the cream wall repainting has also been completed, which has boosted the areas appearance. With the ceiling and walls repainted, this has of course made the floor look careworn, so we will likely be investigating a coat of floor paint soon!

London North Eastern Railway Articulated Bogie

Last week the National Railway Museum completed the legal transfer of this Gresley Articulated bogie, and associated frame sections, to the railway. This is the only surviving articulated Gresley bogie other than those under the Quad Set. Acquisition of this bogie will make it possible for us to split the set to enable the re-profiling of the wheels next year. The bogie is unfamiliar to most as despite being on loan and present at the railway for many years it has spent almost all its time hidden from view, tucked away in the back of Bridge Road sheds.