Asbestos Stripping Completed

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

The brass windows have been examined for size variation to ensure that the new glass being ordered for the sliding lights and quarter lights will fit. The glass is now on order.

London North Eastern Railway 1938 Brake Third Open E16631E (GOLD)

The coach has continued well over the past few weeks, with part of the new cant rail fitted kicking off the major woodworking repairs nicely. Other woodwork has included screwing down many of the roof boards.

On the exterior, the second of the two gangway ends have been removed, along with the "buckeye" couplings and the buffers after the latter were found to be seized. If that were not enough, the underframe has also been needle gunned.

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

The asbestos stripping has continued well this week with the lower half sheeted up and the steam heat pipework all removed and disposed of.

This then allowed phase three of the work to be completed at the end of the week, the stripping of rope pipework in the toilet compartment and guards compartment. This done, the coach has now been handed back over to us for restoration work to start proper.

British Railways 1958 Brake Corridor Second M35148 (SILVER)

The new lighting in the accessible saloon has now been wired in and the panelling replaced in front of the lights. The lighting levels are, as expected, much improved.

At the other end of the coach, the toilet water tank has been dropped for testing, which was completed successfully.

The previous water leaks had however corroded some of the roof framework, which has been caught fairly early and now quickly welded back up again.

Three out of four passenger doors have had their varnished wooden cards removed and stripped back to wood ready for varnishing up again. More window surround woodwork, intended for the windows which were removed some time ago, have also received two further layers of varnish.

On the exterior of the vehicle, the fitting of the passenger communication apparatus at the Holt end continues and has run into alignment complications which have required some packing pieces to be made.

The next window has also been refitted and bedded down back into its frame. This leaves three left to refit.

British Railways 1957 Class 101 Railcar Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory E56062 (SILVER)

More steel sheeting has been cut to shape ready for further body repairs.

British Railways 1954 13 Ton Pipe Open B740918

No progress to report.

British Railways 1950 12 Ton Box Van B755094 (Maintenance)

Not a full restoration, but the repairs to the failing sliding door which is regularly used on this stores van have progressed nicely. The door is now substantially back together and has been hung loosely back on the vehicle, ready for further adjustments and for more furniture to be added back on.

British Railways (LMS Design) 1949 20 Ton Brakevan B950133

The finishing touches mentioned last week have been largely done, with final painting and lettering progressing along with sealing the stove pipe back into the roof. It just needs some more lettering completing along with the side lamp brackets returning to the four corners and then the vhicle will be released back into traffic.

Maintenance

Maintenance continues to be varied, this week has seen some extra woodwork in the form of TSO 4236 requiring a repair to a window glass retaining bar which has rotted away with condensation and damp.