Generator Car Launch

Another long overdue update, however it is worth celebrating the (re)entry into service of another vehicle (back) into the fleet...

Great Eastern Railway 1899 4 Wheel Brake Third 853 (BRONZE)

As with all well thought out projects, a good assessment of the tasks ahead has been the first thing to do. The bad news is that despite 853 being the youngest of the vintage train in terms of preservation service, only being launched in 2019, it has sadly suffered during the relatively short time since externally. What we had planned to be one of the easier refreshes on the vintage rake will regrettably now require much more stabilisation works and the bulk of a full repaint. 

However, the good news is that our fantastic satellite team out stationed at Holt is willing to take on the challenge. We have ordered some paint (853 has its own special Great Eastern shade of Crimson) and agreed for the exterior rectification to start. Hopefully we will see more news on this over the autumn before the cold and wet of winter takes a hold.

It is planned to cease the use of the extra tent/shed at Holt following 853's completion, as it is not in keeping with the Holt Goods Yard ambiance and was only intended to be temporary in order to get through some of the required vintage set refreshes in any case.

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

The work to the toilet plumbing introduced last update has been continued with the Brighton Belle Pullman tank now in place on the wall. I must admit to being skeptical initially but the chrome finish does have an LNER Gresley feel to it (and yes, this is a Thompson not a Gresley but they are related!). Connections have been made and valves installed, including the wooden handle which fits over the modern sprung loaded valve to give a more 1950's feel.

The team have also been looking at the table design for the main passenger saloon. The saloon style chairs came with the vehicle having been provided for the incomplete previous restoration at Llangollen, whilst the tables were donated from a school being upgraded. The challenge now is to fit both tables and chairs from different sources into the coach in such a way to be ergonomic whilst maintaining tables that are robust enough to withstand the mighty force that is the public traveler. A set of chairs has been mocked up in the coach and now the tables are being dismantled. One team is cleaning back old varnish on the legs and table tops that will be reused, whilst another is looking at making up jigs and trial tables out of spare material to test the leg and support designs that are being proposed.

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

No progress to report.

London North Eastern Railway 1945 Gangwayed Brake E70621E (SILVER)

The new side cladding has now been fitted to the landward side meaning both bodysides are now covered. With everything correctly in place, the landward side has had all the edging on the panels sealed with mastic to discourage water from entering the gaps. The seaward side remains to be similarly sealed. A trial panel has also been fitted onto the first of the outward opening double doors successfully, so more of these are set to follow. A shunt of the shed on a sunny day allowed a great view of the exterior cladding process.

The inward opening guards doors continue to be steadily improved, with more woodwork repairs and a good filling and sanding session to get them smooth ready for repainting. The smashed landward side droplight window glass has been sealed into the old frame and now awaits refitting.

Internally, all of the remaining museum coach era equipment, displays and wall panels etc. that had been stacked loose inside after being unscrewed have now exited the vehicle. Some has been disposed of, some has been returned to storage for reuse on other future projects. It does leave us with a nice clear vehicle however which was needed by the team restoring the inside. This has been progressing well in the two main open areas remaining the focus. Attention has shifted to the side walls, which are having all the old holes and missing chunks filled and sanded smooth. It won't be long before the walls match the ceiling in terms of being rubbed down ready for repainting.

The guards compartment has seen little attention other than being stripped out ready for similar repair and sanding work.

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

Progress has continued to be really strong. The metalwork repairs to the landward side of the passenger saloon have now been completed with all replacement skin now welded in. Three of the four window apertures have been primed with more paint to follow which will allow the window frames to be fitted. Unfortunately a lot of stored items were moved against the side of the coach before I could get a picture, which has spoiled the effect slightly, however rest assured this side has really been transformed in appearance!

The kitchen end of the vehicle has reached a very similar point, with a lot of skin work being done to clad the renewed framework that featured last update. Both landward and seaward sides have had all new skin fitted where required, which looks particularly drastic on the seaward side owing to the fact the doors and windows have been covered over to accommodate the cooking range in due course.

The landward side has additionally had its final window prepared and fitted in place, leaving just the double doors to refit on this side.

With the sides getting close to completion, attention has turned to the final area of bodywork on the entire vehicle: the ends. The Sheringham end has now had its old bottom plate chopped out along with all of the rotten crash pillars around the lower end. The surrounding areas have been rust treated and a new bottom plate is now on order so that we can start building this end back up.

Meanwhile, at the Sheringham end (which already has had its bottom plate and crash pillar replacement), the rotten door edges and top cantrail framework repairs are progressing. The landward side doorway is now complete, with a brand new door pillar having to be put in along with corner stiffeners, whilst the seaward side is now in progress. All of these end repairs should bring us closer to the point where we can skin the ends (with brand new pressings supplied by the South Devon Railway) and reach the important milestone of bodywork completion!

British Railways 1958 Covered Carriage Truck M94125 (SILVER)

One of the most intense projects has been the completion of the CCT generator car. It can't easily be described how many small and snagging jobs are undertaken when a project is being readied for its final push and completion, but it's fair to say a lot of attention was given to sorting out all of the "little bits". This was in parallel with the completion of the paint job with two coats of Crimson gloss, lettering and varnish being applied. When we first sanded down the vehicle we found original BR lettering stating "GUV" (General Utility Van) rather than the expected "CCT" (Covered Carriage Truck). Some research revealed that the first built CCT's were to be designated GUV (Y) meaning "4 wheeled General Utility vans". As 94125 was the 25th CCT built (which is early given nearly 1000 were produced) it now makes sense that it carried this early designation. However the (Y) was not present on our example at least, so we have accordingly reproduced the "GUV" lettering on this vehicle for historical interest.

The Sheringham end set of windows have been replaced with the ventilation louvre units, to serve the generator. This arrived earlier this week and has been positioned inside the vehicle, utilising the resorted end doors which now open and shut once again. Once arrived the generator exhaust and electrical connections were made, along with a securing raft that bolts to the sides of the vehicle to stop the generator set sliding anywhere.

A C examination was then given to allow the vehicle to return to use following a fair number of years out of traffic. The handbrakes have been made inoperable as the vehicle's semi-permanent coupling to the braked kitchen car makes the handbrakes as good as surplus. The vehicle was quickly tripped down to Sheringham where it was attached to the rear of the dining set and commissioned into traffic.

British Railways 1959 Metro Cammell Railcar Driving Motor Composite Lavatory 51505 (BRONZE)

This has been moved into the shed following 94125's departure, for work to the leaking roof to commence along with some limited bodyside cosmetic repairs.