Finally, and possibly the richest find of all, was an empty pack of "Park Drive" cigarettes which was found inside the empty roof space above the store cupboard (ex toilet). Again this is of unknown vintage, but was a nice find nonetheless. It was certainly better than the previous find that I have personally made when restoring a carriage toilet that hasn't seen "use" since the 1980's - readers with a vivid imagination can probably work out what it was...
Great Eastern Railway 1899 4 Wheel Brake Third 853
The underframe is now almost ready to have its body put back on top of it. All of the brake gear split pins have been added properly now that the brake-gear is all tested as satisfactory. Extra leaks that were identified last week with the vacuum system were also solved. The rubber blocks which the body itself sits on have been attached to the underframe ready to receive the body in due course.
The small end-footboards, also mentioned last week, have been finished having received their top coat of black gloss. Finally, some cosmetic emergency chains to hang from the buffer-beam have been made from various stored/reclaimed items and are being painted.
British Railways 1959 Brake Corridor Composite E21224
Resources are now swinging away from CCT E94464 and back onto this coach, our Gold standard overhaul. The store cupboard reconstruction continues with the shelf brackets produced last week being screwed into position this week. The walls have now been treated ready for painting which involved sanding and also the removal of old glue residue. Also on the interior has been more stripping/sanding/priming of luggage space internal planking.
The compartment under-seat heater grills are now completed, having been painted, and await refitting.
With the CCT on the home straight, some work on the outside of the coach has been completed, although we are limited to the seaward side only as this is the area that has already had its welding repairs completed. The long task of filling and paint preparation has started from the Sheringham end working towards Holt. This is a temporary arrangement which won't be able to be fully completed as when our next project comes in (after the CCT) that will absorb this labour. However until then we can try to get as much of this side progressed as we can.
Further down the same side, nearer the Holt end, the lower skirt has had all of its old rivets drilled out (now surplus to requirements) and the holes welded up. The areas of bare steel were then coated in some primer to offer some protection for when the coach goes on holiday to Bridge Road carriage sheds later this year to make room for the Quad Art set.
British Railways 1959 Tourist Second Open M4843
No progress to report.
British Railways 1958 Class 101 Railcar Driving Trailer Second Lavatory M56352
We just about ran out of time in terms of fully reupholstering this coach before it is needed for the half term running days. However we put in a valiant effort and the vehicle will be in service, just with its seating capacity reduced by six people. We succeeded in fully fitting out the front and the middle (large) saloons with just a few missing from the rear saloon. Those that are fitted of course look excellent with the new material. To prevent any bare frames being present in the rear saloon, two seats were temporarily stolen from the railway's other DMU set to make up the numbers, these will be replaced in due course with the intended blue ones, and it will not be long before the final half dozen seats are fitted properly and the vehicle is fully ready for the season ahead. We see the two green seats as a thrilling "limited edition" which NNR passengers literally only have a few days to get out there and sample! Buy a ticket, get in there and have YOUR picture taken with them!
British Railways 1960 Covered Carriage Truck E94464
This vehicle is accelerating nicely towards the finish line. The exterior is progressing well, with the Sheringham end folding doors now fully fitted and painted on the outside. This is the end of a huge task and we are all pleased that these are now completed. Just the insides of them to paint brown now to match the rest of the vehicle internally. Now that painting is complete, some finishing touches such as polishing the windows and the door handles has also been done.
The completed exterior has been receiving its lining and lettering. So far, the top line has been applied and the black surrounds of the vehicle dimensions and main numbers applied. Towards the end of the week, this allowed the first coat of gold to be added to the main numbers, and the golding of the vehicle dimensions (of which there are many!) is ongoing.
On the interior, the floor compound has now been fully applied into all the gaps and cracks and holes in the floor. It looks odd at the moment but when the floor paint is applied it will all blend in and look much better than it did when we got to it.
In readiness for the final floor painting, the wooden timbers in the doorways have been cleaned up and painted in black undercoat. The small metal chequer plates, also in the doorways, have also been cleaned up.
Southern Railway 1939 Parcels & Miscellaneous Van S1359S
Still awaiting shunting out of the workshops, due next week.
Other Projects
The scheme to add folding lids to the tops of the book trolleys which live in the bookshop on Weybourne station is progressing once again after a break, with the lid construction being finished this week and the new wood painted in primer. Also back in the workshops is the seat donated from Billericay station two years ago, which has sadly broken and is back in for repairs. It is being reinforced along the side and along the front facing bottom edge. It normally lives in the waiting room, also at Weybourne station.
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