Hello and welcome to the first April update from the team at Quorn. Again the focus has been on progressing the Palvan, and we’ve also paid some attention to the dilapidated A type container rescued from the Loco shed last year.
During the week Tom and Oliver helped remove the axlebox keep plates from the Palvan in readiness for the wheelset change.
The six restored Brute trolleys were given a good clean up in readiness for going into store in the Palvan.
On Saturday the Palvan was positioned in the yard ready for the wheelset change; Richard and myself taking measurements of bumpstop gaps and buffer heights.
The trusty Volvo L70 loader was used and the replacement wheelsets were soon under the Palvan.
With the new wheelsets in place Ross, Richard, Ernie, Nick and myself set about removing the axlebox oil pans to clean out, check the oil pads & journals and replenish with new oil. The axlebox keep plates were also re-fitted, and Charlie helped out oiling all the brake rigging.
Some of the axlebox retaining bolts needed the threads clearing with a die nut and old rusted split pins punching or drilling out. We were very surprised to find both oil pads missing from one of the wheelsets considering that the wheelsets had been removed from an operational wagon (at another railway).
The journals were checked and the cleaned boxes filled with new oil. Three new oil pads and one cleaned re-usable pad were soaked in new oil and refitted.
With the new wheelsets fitted the Palvan was taken for a trundle up and down the yards to ensure the suspension was settled. Measurements of the bumpstop gaps and buffer heights were taken again, comparing well to those taken before the wheelset change. All buffer heights were between 403/4” and 411/4“, the prescribed limits being 37″ min. and 42” max.
The six Brute trolleys were loaded into the Palvan with the Volvo, fitting neatly into the space inside. These will be secured before the van goes into traffic to prevent any movement or damage to the Brutes.
To round off Saturday the dilapidated A type container that was rescued from the Loco shed last in June year was carefully moved from beside the mess coach to it’s new home on the dock. The area on the dock was cleared and some strategically placed timbers were laid out for the container to sit on. A ratchet strap was used to hold the container together and secure it to the Volvo for movement.
Sunday began with the decision to move Edward the Hydrovane compressor trailer from the back of the pick-up truck onto the BEV stillage; this will make it more movable and accessible, and also free-up the pick-up for other duties. Kiki was woken up to provide a lift for the stillage, however she needed a hydraulic oil top-up to get the lift to work.
Making the most of the morning sunshine, we gave the site a good tidy up.
Edward was then started up to provide air as Tom, Mark and myself got to work scraping and needle gunning the framework and underframe of the west side of the Palvan.
Dan tackled the cleaning up of two replacement handbrake wheels for Catfish wagon DB983393.
Nick, Ross, Oliver and Richard took a look at the A type container we had moved on Saturday. The hinges of the lower door section were freed off, and the outer edge of the floor secured to a new baton. Some adjustment was necessary with Nick’s favourite hammer and the grinder needed to remove the old corner rotted plate.
A new steel corner plate was cut and bent to shape by Ross, then fitted in place by Tom and Dan to replace the rotted one.
The bolts we had didn’t have enough thread length, so Oliver (with Nick’s help) used a die-nut to cut a longer thread length for the plate attachment bolts.
Andy and Harry popped in for a while to continue with sanding and priming of another area of the GUV bodyside.
By the end of the afternoon the west side of the underframe and suspension of the Palvan was progressing well towards readiness for paint.
To finish a pic of one of the goods train workings this weekend; behind Peak D123 at Quorn. Thanks for reading, join us again next week, all the best, Dave
Quorn Wagon & Wagon 
amazing job everyone sorry I was unable to be with you
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