With the autumn weather setting in and following a discussion with the events team, Lilibet was moved into the marquee at Quorn Tuesday, stood over a sheet, components removed, she was keyed ready for prime.
This was followed by a quick wipe of the nose and 2 strips of masking tape applied to mark out the location for nose trim. Although a later Scarab with a trimless nose I prefer the look of the sweeping trim. The tape acted as a guide to ensure both sides looked even.
A 21mm wide chrome trim was then applied above the tape, this is available from any auto parts stockist, although this particular item came from a well know internet distributer named after a river.
The chrome was also keyed, and after a panel wipe, masking was applied to areas that won’t be requiring paint.
This was followed by a quick fill of a small number of imperfections
On to Wednesday, with the filler cured the areas were sanded then panel wiped
Followed by the application of the first coat of primer, a fetching shade of our now usual white, any guesses for the final colour?
Whilst waiting for the first coat to dry I swapped the rear number plate with the new “Re-enacting” plate. OAR was used by BR vehicles in the Leicestershire area. Madge will also be receiving an OAR plate, number 317.
Why 317 and 323, well most BR Scarabs around this area carried a 300 number with 17 representing the letter Q and 23-W. Wilbur has OAR plates, numbered 815. These plates being applied for photo charters and period events but the vehicles will revert to there legal plates when on the road.
After a bite to eat the second coat was applied.
The Scammell nose plate is a fibreglass replica and as such is missing bars to protect the head light and the Horses Head, A plan has been formulated for the latter. To correct the former a piece of Aluminium bar was cut in to 3 sections holes drilled and the bars fed in, due to the curve of the plate this is a tight interference fit.
On to Saturday with focus being 3711, the East side cylinder perforated for lightness was removed, using hot spanner, high speed rotational nut remover and percussion adjustment techniques.
This will not be overhauled at the moment but may be in a few years once the steel is given time to grow back.
The train pipe was then removed, well I say pipe, more accurately the wet cardboard tube fell off.
This was followed by loosening the west side cylinder which will be overhauled and the removal of the piston rod.
There was also time to make a repair to B852838 which had been booked with a defective vacuum release chord.
Dave also overhauled the two removed release valves
Lilibet received her period tax disk and appropriate lettering for her current colour. Still accepting guesses for the final colour scheme. This was followed by a few movements around the yard, moving items between the vans and re-packing parcels into a theatrical van.
Last task for the evening, re coating Lilibet’s rear chassis and coupling gear as well as her nose plate.
Sunday began with a strip session, a 21″ Cylinder from stock which was then overhauled.
After the 2 minutes for Remembrance and awaiting the arrival of Nick to operate the Volvo. We removed Lilibets alternator as the mount was found to be misaligned. This was measured, washers welded in position and redrilled.
After fitment and with Nick now on site we set about removing the west side vaccum cylinder from 7311. Unfortunately more components were required to be taken off to facilitate removal, so with a gap on the east side we fitted the overhauled cylinder there.
As we do not intend to fill the tank, it will only have one cylinder plumbed back in, as we do with all our load valve dual cylindered vehicles. This is just to eliminate any risk of running an empty wagon with the brake force of a full one.
Sundays last task with the Volvo in operation was to straighten the west side ladder with a careful application of force.
Don’t forget to get your guesses in for Lilibet’s top coat, all will be revealed next week.
Quorn Wagon & Wagon 
All good stuff as usual guys, just a question if you don’t mind. How do you manage to get the re-enactment number plates made up without paperwork?
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You can buy show plates, many different manufacturers, but they are not road legal.
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Thanks Matt, I had looked at them on the internet, but they all seemed to want proof of entitlement!
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