14 October 2016

October News Part 2

Great Eastern Railway 1899 4 Wheel Brake Third 853


No progress to report.

Great Northern Railway (later M&GN) 1887 6 Wheel Third 129


Vintage themed work has concentrated on the 6 wheeled chassis this week, with the Axeman continuing his gruesome work on realigning the brake hangars that hold the main cross-shaft (which is in turn attatched to the vacuum cylinder which operates the whole system). The seaward side support for this cross-shaft has had a new spacer machined from scratch and welded in as a degree of modification was required to fit it properly within the changed main chassis. Returning to the vacuum cylinder, suitably painted, this has now also been installed and is now nestled amongst the frames of the chassis.


The axleboxes have also been completed having been fitted with six brand new oil pads which will lubricate the axles whilst on the move. They have been itted in special trays within the axleboxes and these have also now been fully filled with bearing oil and declared complete.

London North Eastern Railway 1929 4 Wheel Pigeon Van 6843


The vehicle is now in the air having been lifted off its wheelsets and the axles removed. The first of them is currently in the wheel lathe and is in the process of being turned back into profile, as we do not like egg shaped wheels here!!


Whilst the axles are out, the four axleboxes have been removed and have been scraped back on the outsides as they were looking a little scruffy. They are now awaiting repainting. The axlebox guides have been cleaned down and polished up to ensure trouble free movement when the wheels are refitted.


On the vehicle itself, the underside has received some freshening up, with various items of ironmongery given a top-up coat of black gloss, along with the full length footboards. The Holt end bufferbeam had started to show signs of corrosion, so this was stripped back a little further before itself being repainted. A repair to the wooden end panels, which had split and were in danger of letting water in, has also been made.

British Railways 1957 Mark 1 Tourist Second Open E4641


The big visual step forward has been the painting of the roof, which has received a coat on top of the original covering. This roof has already been scraped down and treated with roof paint a the NNR in the past, so all that was required was a top up coat. Monkey was only happy to assist with this task, applying the tar like substance to the roof with ease.


Lower down on the vehicle, all of the windows have been cleaned up of excess sealant and general ditritus in order to ready the sides for bodyside painting next week. The end data panel has also been returned to its rightful place, along with some grab handles.


On the interior, the six door cards, which missed the varnishing boat last time around, were sanded and have received three coats of the golden stuff. The brass door treads have also been fitted, having been removed some months ago to make painting of the lino flooring easier. Progress on the toilet plumbing has also continued with the stainless steel water tank (mentioned last week) edging coser to completion and a blockage in the feed to the cold tap in the toilet resolved.

British Railways 1955 Mark 1 Suburban Composite Lavatory E43041


Work this week has mainly been progressing larger tasks that have already been introduced in previous updates. The refitting of exterior glass, sanding and varnishing of interior woodwork and fitting of wooden door surrounds have both continued this week.


A start has now also been made on fitting the tightly curved corridor ceiling panels in the third class (Sheringham) end of the carriage, but this is proving a challenge so far, the hardboard panels not wanting to sit on such a radius as we want them to. Negotiations are ongoing!

British Railways 1958 Class 101 Railcar Driving Motor Brake Second M51192


Our work here is done! The refresh works have now been completed with all loose ends tied up. This week saw the seaward side solebar repainted and a second coat of red given to the front end bufferbeam. Some green paint aloing the bottom edge of the vehicle which had come out a bit thin has been touched in, and the ends were finally finished off by painting on the blue square coupling designations onto the bottom corners.


With the power car now complete attention will turn to the trailer car in approximately six weektime once the DMU's duties for the season are over.

Metropolitan Cammell 1965 4 Wheel Petroleum Tank 53083


No progress to report.

No comments:

Post a Comment