Author: admin

We have heard in the past that some say we only repaint our vehicles,  I hope those that once thought that have had a change of opinion and that the last 3 weekends reinforce that opinion.  Work of cause continues on M500954.  First job to complete the East side.  Door planks were trimmed and any areas that will allow moisture in were sealed.

 

On to the west side which traditionally is the weathered side and this one is no exception. We focused on the North corner and as the bolts were removed the side basically fell out.

 

Jake then cleaned down and applied red oxide to the back of the frame whilst I manufactured a plate to cover the hole that has allowed water into and subsequently rot the van side.

 

With the wind whipping around the now open side the red oxide dried very quickly.  The planking then began.  Once we got half way up recesses were cut to allow the planks to sit flush despite four rivets.

 

Once fully planked plywood inner sheets were cut to size, fitted, holes drilled and bolts fitted, with the final task for Saturday to screw areas on the inner ply skin that was not supported by bolts.

 

As can be seen, quite a transformation if we don’t say so ourselves.
On to Sunday and attention turned to the West side door.  The old planks were removed, well fell off if we are once again being honest. As well as the locking catch.

 

Some of the rot had penetrated into the inner planks so these were also removed as required.  This allowed access for Jake to clean and red oxide the doors centre bar.

The plan is not to remove this door but a few areas were tight, so the remaining planks were sanded down to allow clearances to allow the door to slide easily. Measurements were taken and a suitable piece of ply was cut to size and fitted.

 

Jake primed the edges before fitment and then the outer face once in position, the new door planks were also trimmed to size and locking catch refitted.

 

The planks were of cause fitted, bolted and screwed top and bottom.

 

Last job was to clean and hoover the inside ready for the final push.

This completes this weekends work, we are 5/6th of the way through with just one corner to go.  This of cause will be the topic for next weekends update.

 

 

Before we move on to this weeks update, I was sent some images from James Brace who visited the railway during last weekends gala, he caught Nick, Ross and I conducting our duties as TPO Groundcrew.  Thank you James.

This weekend we move on toa new arrival to the fleet.  Although it has been on the GCR for some time it has recently passed into our care.  ADB975397 or more commonly known as Test Car 2.  It gives me great pleasure to once again be responsible for this vehicle, it was myself that saved it from scrap in 2016 when it fell out of use on the Old Dalby Test Track.  In its glory days, it was used for the slip brake testing of rolling stock and latterly it was used for taking visitors up & down the test track.

So this weekend our adventures take us to Rothley Carriage & Wagon.  We are preparing the vehicle before it is moved to Quorn as it will be our temporary base of operation whilst “the yellow coach” comes to Rothley for much-needed bodywork to be carried out.

The vehicle has already had some work done by C&W staff.  The sealing of leaking windows and the refitment of Pullman gangway and matching buffers to the Generator end.  This is to enable the coach to be coupled with other coaches and increase the usability of the vehicle, most notably as an emergency brake vehicle if the need arises.

On to this weekend and a wash and brush up to start the proceedings.  Jake took care of the interior with a hover and a wash of all surfaces,  I focused on the outside most notably the windows.

In what can only be described as “playing”, me managed to get the lights throughout the vehicle working. Including the head and tail lamps.

The headlight had an infestation of flies.  So this was removed for cleaning. Thankfully however the vehicle had a spare and more on that lower down this update.

Between the slip end and the main saloon, there was a hole which was the location of test equipment long since removed.  This hole was filled and will help retain heat within the main saloon.

The vehicle is laid out as follows:
The South end has observation windows and was were the slip operation was controlled from.

Next is the main saloon which held the monitoring equipment and instrumentation for recording the testing.  This would have been a hive of activity during testing.

A small area for coats and baggage and a toilet are next.

This is followed by a kitchen area and the Guards compartment.

Then we have a workshop area and the main generator set. The workshop I spent Sunday tidying up.

Looking in cupboards and behind panels, we found two noteworthy items.  A BR(M) Blanket and the original running number chalked on the back of an access panel.

So on to Sunday and as mentioned above more time cleaning and tidying the Workshop area, before that however, I completed the installation of the replacement headlight, complete with double arrow.  The removed one will be stripped down and cleaned up and retained as a spare.

During the tidy, the side panel for the equipment rack in the main saloon was found and duly refitted

Jake continued with a number of odd jobs.  Fitting the slip end microphones and refitting panels and trims that had been displaced.

Before the vehicle left Old Dalby in 2016 I removed the owner’s plate that was located on the Kitchen Door.  This plate has been on my stairs at home for almost 3 years doing nothing but gathering dust.  I saw fit to return it to its original location after a quick polish.

Ross fitted locks to the doors so we can secure the vehicle for our use

The final task for the whole weekend was to reinstate the vacuum hoses, again found in the tidy up.  Having looked under the vehicle we knew at this stage it would only be a through-pipe but the main reason for refitting the hoses was to check its integrity. With Rothley’s vacuum test rig wound up the gauges dotted around the vehicle began to raise.  As can be seen in the images below 20 inHg was attained, this was seen on all gauges. A duplex in the slip end, one in the main saloon and the Guards gauge which was installed moments before the test.

With the integrity of the through pipe confirmed next step is to reinstate the vacuum cylinders and hopefully we will have an operational vacuum brake.  But more on that next weekend.

 

 

With S56010 essentially finished our attention has turned to a new arrival.  Joining us from the Bombardier works at Derby Litchurch Lane Palbrick B B462709.  This vehicle was purchased with the intention of becoming a chassis for re-wheeling a box van.
This decision may be altered as an alternative use with commercial possibilities has come to light but this requires discussion with the GCR before we announce further.
For now, the vehicle is being made fit to move on the railway.

The first job was to remove all of the equipment from the deck.  This included the toolbox and what can only be described as the wheelie bin shelter.  During its life at Derby, it was in use as a match wagon and site domestic wagon,  for clean up and de-icing duties both track and walkways.

My main task for Saturday was to address the step boards,  as can be seen above they have, at some time, taken a wallop.  As we are also reinstating the brake gear and to gain better access to the axle boxes the steps were shortened.

This was carried out on both sides.  This involved removing the anti-slip coverings, shortening the boards and coverings then refitting said coverings.  I also had time to remove the east side footboard bracket as this was now redundant.

At some point, the vehicle had taken a hit to the northeast buffer, this had pulled it away from the headstock.  The buffer was removed the area around the bolt holes that had deformed was heated and returned to its original profile.  The bolts replaced and the buffer refitted

 

The south draw hook had also sheared. What was left was removed useful components salvaged and a new complete draw-hook fitted.

 

The other draw-hook at the north end was loose and missing a spring rubber.  This was undone and a new rubber fitted.  Of cause, the description of the work carried out is considerably shorter than how long it actually took.

With the light fading, we began to look at the brake rigging. Most of the linkages and pivot points were sized.  A few choice applications of heat and penetrating fluid was liberally applied and attempts were made to free off the linkages to no avail.  The pivot pin for the missing brake arm was also removed.

 

Final Job for Saturday was the application of the running number.

On to Sunday and I completed the removal of the redundant Stepboard support.  As well as the remains of the Wagon clips.  After which I removed the bottom of the toolbox as this had become rotten as it was used to store rock salt I also scraped and cleaned the inside of the box.  This will be receiving a new wooden bottom and will be fitted to the wagon with an air gap below.

Nick and Ross systematically freed off, removed, cleaned up and refitted all of the linkages, pins, and pivots of the brake rigging.

Once complete our attention turned to fitting a brake lever and pin rack, we used the bracket on the W iron that held the footboard with a little adjustment.  It was heated, twisted and hammered into position. With the lever fitted this results in an operational handbrake, although for the time being only from the East side.

The vehicle can now be moved, braked and can be identified. More to do next weekend.