25/09/22 – Red Star Hector.

As the official period of mourning for our late Queen has come to an end, we shall continue our regular updates, first a date for your diary, the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd of October we are hosting an open day at Quorn, the event is being sponsored by the West Hill Wagon Works and will see some of our fleet on display, including the Test Car, a number of visiting wagon groups as well as support from the Heavy Tractor Group with 37714 static on the Test Car and D6700 working the vans. With period vehicles and a chance to meet us and talk wagons.

So lets go back to the week commencing the 5th September. As mentioned before our intention is to build a replica Brush style body to place on Kiki. Thanks to Steve from the Ipswich Transport Museum for the invitation , with Michelle and I making the trip to measure the collection’s 1967 Brush pony built for use at St. Helen’s Hospital to move laundry.

The opportunity was also taken to view the museum and I was even allowed to drive the collections Scarab, assisting in a tricky reverse as exhibits are refreshed. The whole gang have been invited for a future follow up visit which will included the museums storage site. I send my thanks again to all those at the museum for making Michelle and I feel so welcome.

Back at base Zsa Zsa received her name, being applied by Dave.

Who also made a start with the east side lettering of the tool van.

Richard applied further Engineers Olive, with Nick applying a second coat.

Ross and I working on Hector. Brakes being the first focus. He was jacked up, packed and the rear axle droped to improve access.

Wheels off, drums off, brakes disassembled.

The rear drum brake pistons were replaced. This required new mounting holes to be drilled as the new pistons are of a slightly different design.

With the wheels off the opertunity was taken to split the hubs and replace the aged inner tubes. .

The LED flashing beacon was also replaced with a more period correct rotating one.

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Once all was rebuilt and after a bleed and adjustment session all three brakes now work. This just leaves one hand brake cable to either repair or source and replace. However the other side is connected and operating so despite being a requirement its not at the top of the decreasing job list.

Next all removable items were then taken off, including the roof, in preparation for the next task.

Weld repairs and hole plugging. Ross carrying out the honours, cleaning to bare metal, welding then grinding flush. Including a piece of the customary reclaimed yellow drip tray.

I followed with wire wheel, sander and primer, a striking white.

Then black for the dash and floor, and yellow for the inside faces of the roof supports

Ross sneaked off to give Jerry a wash and wax although I was trying to achieve a stereotypical BR patina, Oh well.

After a few moments to dry, Hector was reassembled now sporting his new white primer.

Some thin tin was then bonded to the inside of a few holes in the “clam shell” which once cured was filled sanded and primed.

Then, as we have done oh so many times before, it was out with the yellow.

All the removed components were then refitted and the all important wasp stripes, lettering and logos applied.

Michelle also assisted by preparing the wheels for paint, and I applied a Lancing Bagnall builders plate, although from a older vehicle this replaces the Lancing decals which were removed.

The next logo was then applied, this being the Red Star Parcels logo, chalked, masked and then painted.

This was applied to both sides and then the small details, tire pressure, name and gross haulage weight

Wheels were then masked primed and glossed, the fetching shade of BR Grey

Whilst I worked my magic, Ross reconnected the electrics as well as fitting the additional converter to power the new more power hungry beacon.

Final touches were then applied to the signwriting and a tax disk fitted.

After which we moved on to the trailers to fix the rear steer axles which make them so much easier to move around site. This involved removing the steering arm, and then bolting on a piece of angle iron, which was removed from the large Scammell trailer a few years ago.

With the steering fixed we set on enclosing the sides and fitting the tug chargers, this is to assist getting kit out of the garage as it now all goes in one place. Need to have a think what colour to do it!

Then a stroke of genius hit us, the removed steering arm can be used as a tow bar. So mounts drilled and fitted and Hector now has a Brute tow bar.

And it works……..

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Nick refitted 5209s valve as well as replacing life expired vacuum hoses on vans 786181, 18422 and 777728. Before a full annual exam was conducted by Nick, Richard and Thomas on the van train.

So another vehicle in corporate livery. With running maintenances carried out on a number of vehicles.

I have also treating myself to a new phone, so I had to give the night mode function a test, rather pleased with the result. More next week.