18/12/22 – Tank in the dry

Apologies for the delay on this one, I hope you will see it was worth it. So with a sense of déjà vu we are at Rothley, with some tanks, I’m sure we did this a year or 2 ago.

First however, and back at Quorn, I was not 100% happy with the mudguards fitted to the NVR trailer, so with a new larger set acquired, I am much happier.

As well as replacement mudguards a replacement wiper motor for Lilibet. A smaller unit with clearer switching arrangements.

So onto the weekend, with 5209 in the dry at Rothley, Ross and I took a look at the Esso plates. The remains of nylon bolts were drilled out and the mounts re-tapped.

Once both sides were done, and joined by Owen from the NWPG we took a walk to Swithland to retrieve an Esso plate from 3436, no point reinventing the wheel. This was then fitted to the tank although not perfect it gave us a starting point.

So for the rest of the day, and many thanks to the Windcutter group for the use of their expired floor, I manufactured with further help from Ross and Owen a new plate for the tank.

Dan, Tom and Mark on site, along with Nick prepping the tank for paint, sanding, scrapping, wire brushing and removing the sole bar plates, with myself also removing sticker remains.

Ross noticed a blanking plate fitted with only 2 bolts, so after sourcing further bolts and cleaning them up, he bolted this down fully.

On to Sunday and the aim, undercoat the tank.

After a quick visit to Quorn we returned to Rothley with some sizeable pieces of steel, from the hut that was mounted on the Palbrick. These were marked out and cut to size. Giving us 3 more Esso plates, one for 5209 and two for 3711.

The holes in the ex mineral floor were filled with countersunk machine screws and ground down. These will be filled once fitted to the wagon.

The plates were then primed on the back.

Nick and Ross continued with the paint prep. I did lend a hand

Then spot prime

Followed by Undercoat.

Finally it is with great sorrow I must announce the passing of Nicks favouritest scraper. It has given many years of faithful service and will be sorely missed.

Scraper 1974 – 2022

Merry Christmas from us, we are still going to be at it so we will let you know what has been achieved on Christmas Day.