New Year

Last year we started January with a summary table of the fleet, which went down well, so we thought we should repeat this. You can compare the situation to last year and most will agree there are only very minor differences.

Returning to the workshop, the first week after Christmas was a short one at just four days and additionally some people were still away for an extended Christmas break, so there wasn't quite as much going on as a traditional week, nevertheless, some good progress was made.

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

No progress to report.

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

Several sections of spare vacuum pipe from a donor vehicle are being prepared for reuse on 16631, which had lost large sections of its own pipe decades ago (reason unknown). The pipework is being sanded back and checked for corrosion and completed parts repainted in rust inhibiting primer. At least on Gresley vehicles the pipes run along the solebar rather than buried underneath so modifications and replacement is generally easier. A shame in some ways this wasn't replicated on the later Mark 1 coaches!

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

One of our New Year's resolutions this year is to get 14021 off the back burner and make some serious inroads into its rebuild as it is desperately wanted in the running collection! We have done well so far in getting contractors to strip the asbestos from it, which was a massive issue resolved, but haven't really focused on it heavily using in-house resources.

This week we have resurrected the previously paused job of grinding off all of the old and unstable paint and filler, some 65 years worth. Last summer the kitchen/guards end on the seaward side had been completed so we have resumed on the same side and have made a start on the passenger saloon area, with the bulk of one passenger "bay" completed and now back to shiny bare metal in areas where it is good. Metalwork that we are sure will be chopped out entirely is being left out for obvious reasons. Hopefully we can keep this task going throughout the winter which will go a good way to transforming the exterior appearance of the vehicle.

British Railways 1958 Brake Corridor Second M35148 (SILVER)

Painting has now commenced on the exterior so some dramatic changes to the whole look of the coach are afoot. The first area to be treated was the roof, which has now been coated in (logically) specialist black roof paint.

This was swiftly followed by the start of the primer coat on the bodysides. So far, two thirds of the landward side has been primed and the difference is already stark.

The interior has been less of a focus, however the last of the lower door cards have been fixed into place now and tested for a good fit. This done, two coats of varnish have been applied to them with more planned.

A "proper list" has been drafted up listing all of the outstanding items left on the overhaul of 35148. This is a sign of being on the home straight and hopefully it will re-enter service in the next few months.

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

This vehicle now has roughly the same amount of labour resource allocated to it as 35148 as we also want to push this one forwards with more vigor.

The cab end metalwork and seaward side door refitting work mentioned last time have continued to progress in a way which is essential but not very exciting! The door in particular is approaching a mature stage now with the new weather strips being prepared for fitting, so all being well it will not be too long before the cab door (on the same side) is being moved onto.

The cab refurbishment project has focused on plugging all of the redundant slots and holes in the cab desk to achieve a smooth finish once it is repainted. This has been quite time consuming but has now been achieved with the desk fully plugged. It is already looking better with a whole host of 1970's 80's & 90's retro fitted equipment no longer in use now removed. It looks more original to the as-built condition and is overall smarter as well.

British Railways (GWR Design) 1958 "Fruit D" W92097W (SILVER)

No progress to report.

Maintenance

A few wagons were prepared and ticketed for use on New Year works trains, predominantly employed in the setting down of the Norfolk Lights displays. Otherwise all has been quiet.