The Feathered Visitor

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

Interior works continue steadily. A new former has been built which will be used to test whether panels can be bent to the required shape to use as ceiling panels throughout the passenger saloon.

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

Progress has been temporarily halted as there have been distractions in the form of the contractor moving away from the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway into new, non-rail connected premises. 16631 successfully moved to the new building, also in Derbyshire, earlier this week. It is hoped progress will resume shortly once things have settled at the new facility.

London North Eastern Railway 1931 Corridor Third E12493E (REPAIR)

Absent from these notes but ongoing for a few weeks now is the Corridor Third coach from the Gresley set, more commonly known as the Morgan coach or Play coach, parked in platform 3 at Sheringham. Its turn for restoration is not here yet, however the woodwork has been looking poorly, and with the coach in such a visible location, it was time to improve the appearance of the landward (platform) side. It is only stabilizing works, "proper" repair will wait until it is restored properly, however much wood has been chiseled out, repair pieces spliced in and sections of beading and panelling replaced with plywood. Rough areas are being filled and repaired areas primed before beading is refitted ready for a repaint.

We hope to complete the repairs later this month in time for a painting party using some corporate volunteers visiting the railway.

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

Heavy bodywork continues, with the most visual area of progress being the seaward side of the guards compartment. This has been completely stripped back, most of the lower half framework replaced and then skinned again.

The adjacent passenger door has been test hung and much of the ancillary work to hinges, handrails, grab handles and bump stops all completed whilst we are in the area.

Welding works have also continued around the former toilet area, but this has been focused on making the floor supports good. A great deal of woodwork repair is also being undertaken, so that original bearers can be put back suitably strong again. Much like the guards compartment a few weeks ago, a solid floor at this end will be key to having a good base to build on. Not paying the floor enough attention until later was a bad mistake we made without previous Gold overhaul, BCK 21224, so we won't fall into the same trap twice!

Further flooring has been lifted at the other end of the passenger saloon, but this was more to enable repairs to the adjacent doorway pillars more than anything.

Interior tongue and groove planking is being sorted out with rotten material from the guards compartment and side corridor being replaced with salvaged examples from the luggage van area, which won't be going back in due to this area being paneled differently for use as a kitchen. Despite the luggage are being rather large, we are actually struggling to find enough material in sound condition just for the guards area. There won't be a great deal left spare at the end of the process!

Half a day was spent surveying the First Open coach, 3116, at Sheringham as this is the only coach on the railway that has existing curved wall vestibule toilets, which is the style we require to copy to put into the end of 14021. We need to be very careful "playing God" at this end of the coach so our measurements need to be perfect if the FO style toilet is going to fit into the place where there never was one. Mark 1's are supposedly modular so on paper the two toilet compartments are interchangeable in the same space, sounds easy doesn't it!

Down in the upholstery department, a very nice job has been made of the first trial seat which is now complete. This is the first "First Open" seat the department has ever tackled, and its success bodes well for the remaining seven "doubles" and eight "singles".

British Railways 1959 Tourist Second Open M4843 (BRONZE)

The lower half of the carriage has now been painted and is resplendent in maroon gloss. The upper half will be tackled once the vehicle is in the staging. The footboards have also been repainted.

Staying with the painting theme, the two end corridor doors have been sanded back and painted brown, to match the rest of the fleet.

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

Painting has now been completed on the vehicle which has had two coats of green gloss all round, in challenging heat. It is now ready for lining to commence.

All of the window frame units have now been diligently cleaned and are ready for refitting once the lining is finished.

The cab interior continues to be painted with maroon wall glossing almost complete and several of the components being fitted back into place.

British Railways 1954 13 Ton Pipe Open B740918 (BRONZE)

Awaiting space at the "Holt wagon facility" to be finished off!

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

Reportedly there is just one or two more days until completion, the team keep finding a little more to do. The solebar now has its top coat applied, but final lettering cannot be completed as the sign writer has been whisked away to work elsewhere, on the DMU lining at Weybourne!

Workshop

The workshop became resident to a Dutch racing pigeon for about four days. We read online that if they are too well fed then they sometimes don't continue on their journey so we immediately furnished the creature with biscuit crumbs to tempt him in becoming the Carriage & Wagon mascot, but alas, his training and instinct kicked in and he continued on his journey. Tot ziens Speckled Jim!!