March News Part 1

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

A further two window frames have been cleaned down and lacquered.

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

No progress to report.

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

Bodyside metalwork cleaning has continued with a further section completed.

British Railways 1958 Brake Corridor Second M35148 (SILVER)

The lining out of the carriage has been completed this week with the waist height lining being applied following the vehicle's move from the staging area back to ground level.

The new found access has also allowed a great start to be made cleaning down and repainting the visible areas of the underframe. The seaward side has been the focus so far with the solebar cleaned and undercoated and lots of battery box and electrical cupboard lids cleaned down and rust treated ready for further paint.

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

As per last wee, the focus has remained on hanging the drivers door and prepping the bodysides for paint. The door is now complete from a setting up point of view and now opens and shuts correctly. Attention has now turned to the weather capping strips and the surrounding wooden jambs to compliment the door itself.

The vehicle's relocation into the staging temporarily has allowed better access to undertake sanding and filling to the upper areas which is progressing very well. The windows apertures on the landward side are also receiving much attention to achieve a better fit than last time.

British Railways 1954 13 Ton Pipe Open B740918

Limited work has restarted on this project, with the Holt end filled, rubbed down and given a first coat of brown, on one of the few dry days we have had recently!

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

No progress to report.

Maintenance

Exams continue, with a major breakthrough to some of our vacuum brake issues in the form of BCK(D) E21103 passing its leakage test after much investigation. New piston seals in the vacuum cylinders have cured the leaks on the vehicle, so all being well further seals will work successfully unlike the previous "bad batch" we were working with.