Our winter output continues to be reduced by involvement in locomotives, but we are still doing our best to progress our current suite of projects.
Great Eastern Railway 1899 4 Wheel Brake Third 853 (BRONZE)
Progress with the painting phase of the project has been very challenging since the beginning of year, primarily due to the cold and wet weather conditions. However just this last week, the sun has shone and work has gathered pace! The landward side of the vehicle has now had two gloss coats and the signwriting artistry has commenced.
Meanwhile the second gloss coat on the seaward side is causing minor problems. Following the first coat not taking well in places, a further sanding may well have to be carried out before second coat can be applied.
Additionally, the running boards have been primed and undercoated.
London North Eastern Railway 1950 Brake Corridor Third E1866E (GOLD)
No progress to report.
London North Eastern Railway 1938 Brake Third Open E16631E (GOLD)
A list has been compiled of outstanding works that require completing before the vehicle arrives at the railway for the first time. Optimistically this is a sign that the home straight (of the outside contracting works) is now being looked at.
London North Eastern Railway 1945 Gangwayed Brake E70621E (SILVER)
Following completion of the Class 37, the vehicle has been moved back into the shed.
British Railways 1961 Brake First Open (Kitchen) M14021 (GOLD)
This vehicle has by some margin seen the most explicit progress of all over the past four weeks, somewhat logically as it is a priority project. There has been big progress on the exterior of the vehicle with a push on final sanding and filling which has culminated in both sides and the Sheringham end being handed over for painting. Whilst the final paint is some time away, the area has been sealed in a final primer coat making the majority of the coach all one colour, a real sign of a major milestone about to be reached!
This painting would also not be possible without further progress on door fitting. Both of the passenger doors in the centre vestibule have now been jambed and adjusted to their final permanent fit, meaning they could also be primed to join the rest of the bodysides.
The two passenger doors at the Holt end (the last doors on the vehicle) are now receiving the same process of final fitting - after which we can prime them along with the Holt end which will pretty much bring the curtain down on the exterior rebuild.
In preparation for the Holt end to be painted, the passenger communication apparatus handrail and access step have both been cleaned down, painted and mounted onto the replacement end. We have decided not to fit these steps and handrails to any of the other three corners of the coach, as they are not needed and it will reduce future common corrosion traps on the ends.
With the sides complete, there has been time to get up onto the roof to undertake repairs there. Several rotten areas around the former toilet pipework at the Holt end have been welded up with galvanized material, along with the patches over the old periscopes above the guards compartment. These patches, originally rivetted, were sound but we have taken the opportunity to seam weld them as we have experience of the patches popping off, usually quietly and without telling us which leads to water ingress above the guards van. All of the air vents have also been removed, grit blasted and refitted to the coach with new sealant replacing the old perished gaskets. This completed the main job list for the roof, although we have left the vents off the kitchen area for now as once we know the pattern of appliances inside, we can determine the sizes of the custom extraction vents and holes required in the roof in that section. Given the current unknown nature of this, we will also paint the roof at a later date once these kitchen vents are fitted and we are happy with the final arrangement.
In between other duties, limited internal work to the two vestibules and sliding doors has also continued.
British Railways 1953 Tourist Second Open NN3868 (BRONZE)
Work to strip old varnish off the window surround woodwork and glass retaining bars has now been completed with the bulk of a set made ready for repairs and bleaching. The current focus is now on producing some new parts to replace extremely rotten items, along with the remaining outstanding repairs to original sections.
With the window woodwork in with the repairers, the hardly varnish stripping and sanding team have moved onto giving the seat ends some TLC, with four examples stripped already. These are proving to be in excellent condition so far so all being well will come out very well.
British Railways 1961 English Electric Type 3 D6732 (VARNISH)
Shortly after last month's update, the remaining rubbing down was completed on the locomotive. This was then washed down again and several areas of unstable metal and corrosion were chipped back and stabilized as best we could. Given the loco is just in for an intermediate revarnish, the corrosion was not tackled in the fullest sense, however it may keep the wolf from the door for a few more years and into the second part of the repaint's lifespan.
The treated areas were all patch painted with BR green, along with a series of grills and alcoves, both of which were too soiled to take varnish, so they were given a "top up" coat of gloss instead. With this completed, a few days were then spent applying the varnish coat itself to the remainder of the main bodysides and nose ends. The loco was then declared complete externally and was shunted back outside to await the remainder of the mechanical repairs (being undertaken by the Loco. Dept) and the refitting of reupholstered cab seating.
Maintenance
Annual C examinations are progressing well, with enough vehicles completed to operate a 4-coach + van set for the February Half Term running. This week ran very well with the vehicles completing their first 414 miles of the 2026 season without issue.
