Author: admin

  • 29/03/18 Signwriting preparation

    29/03/18 Signwriting preparation

    Hopefully if the weather does hold B850498 will have a gloss coat this weekend.
    I have taken the time to prepare templates for the signwriting and will have them with me this weekend fingers crossed all goes well.

    BR had set lettering sizes for vehicles.  On Goods stock this was:

    3″ for Running Number
    3 1/2″ for Running Number Prefix
    2″ for Capacity, Tare and Wheelbase detail

    The best reference is always images of stock you are doing or at least vehicles from the same batch and lot.  It so happens we have an image of B850333.

    850333
    B850333 in 1957 ex works condition

    Image: FREIGHT WAGONS AND LOADS IN SERVICE ON THE GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY AND BRITISH RAIL, WESTERN REGION
    Author: J.H. Russell
    ISBN: 0860931552

    This image shows the vehicle in ex works condition in 1957,  so fresh out the paint shop that the signwriters chalk marks are still visible.

    In Photoshop I create a file that’s dimensions match precisely that of the vehicle I wish to sign write, with an image such as above and a little manipulation I can stretch and skew so the van side in the image is stored in digital form at full size.

    With that image I can then manipulate the lettering and confirm the BR sizing was used, which was confirmed, I then overlay the lettering I wish to apply and in the relevant style, this is a mixture of hand drawn and scanned templates, Photoshop draw typefaces and system fonts.

    With further research we know the vehicle was allocated to Bynea in Wales and that early BR vehicles allocated to the Western Region received GWR style lettering along with BR Style.

    This results in the below image which details my proposed placing of letters on the vehicle.

    Plan
    Proposed lettering styles and layout

    The areas of lettering can then be copied and saved as individual files although retaining there full sized dimensions and when printed create the templates.
    Sole bar plates are also sign written and in the fullness of time maybe cast in house as we are currently looking into the process.
    Templates
    When I begin the signwriting I will detail how these templates are then transferred to the vehicle.

     

  • 11/03/18 Shocking stencils

    11/03/18 Shocking stencils

    A little fragmented this weekend as we had a few distractions for members of the team,  Mothering Sunday, Scout activities, a Photocharter, but more importantly the first Swapmeet of the year.

     

    B850498 now has the dummy shock gear attached permanently and once it was fitted the bare aluminium received a coat of bitumen

     

    A requirement for vehicles on the GCR is to have their running number clearly visible on serviceable vehicles. A number of the P Way fleet had lost their numbers so it was decided to apply these.  Quite by chance, however, looking around the swapmeet we found an almost complete set of brass stencils these were put to work instantly.  Although not to BR standard each vehicle is clearly identifiable and full signwriting will be complete as each goes through restoration, more than likely next year.

     

  • 04/03/18 Two become one

    04/03/18 Two become one

    The big news this week,  with thanks to the locomotive department, B850498 is no longer a van body resting on a chassis it is one single 12T Boxvan.  The body and chassis were welded together in the week and unfortunately due to the weather has remained in the Loco shed awaiting return to Quorn.

    With the van away we spent time cutting some felt pads for the imitation shock gear.  These are essential because the brackets are made from aluminium and the van has a steel solebar.  These materials although quite close on the galvanic scale are far enough apart to take steps to reduce corrosion.

    We also took a trip to Loughborough to prepare the van sole bar for the permanent attachment of the imitation shock gear.  Both sides were scraped, rubbed down and painted in bitumen again as a measure to reduce corrosion.  We have not done the whole underframe as we usually spray the bodies first and there is a possibility of overspray.

     

     

    Finally, for the theatrical van, we wrapped some more parcels as well as refreshing the wrappings over the newspapers.  This meant that for the first time since preservation our Newspaper Packing van (GUV) was used for packing newspapers.

  • 13/02/18 Waiting for the weather

    13/02/18 Waiting for the weather

    We have reached the stage with B850498 that requires a trip to Loughborough Shed to facilitate some welding and better weather so we can start painting. Whilst we are waiting we have not been sitting idle. Carrying out some much needed administrative tasks on site. Tidying our facilities and maintenance of tools and equipment.

    Our vehicles also saw action behind Stanier 8F 48624 on Monday 12th with a Timeline Events photocharter. This saw the use of the Van and the Mixed sets as well as the Windcutter projects rake of 16T minerals. It also marked the debut of our new wagon sheet.

  • 04/02/18 Sheet, Mail and more Shock Gear

    04/02/18 Sheet, Mail and more Shock Gear

    Saturday saw the team take a day trip to Swithland Sidings. Our main task was to help our friends at RVP with a task on POS 80301.  The opportunity however was taken to fit an item we had delivered in June.

    B721587 our Shock High fitted with a bar has now been fitted with a sheet. We would like to thank the Nene Valley Railway Wagon Department for their assistance in this project, specifically the dimensions and location of the lettering applied to the sheet.  Our sheet is numbered 120224 sequentially with theirs which is 120223.

    Our main purpose for the Swithland visit was to assist with the jacking of the sorting rack within POS 80301,  this was involved in a collision a few years ago and had shifted,  the structural components of the coach was restored by external contractor with the internals by RVP.

    Finally for the weekend, Sunday saw the completion of the shock gear on B850498, all apart from the end caps which will be fitted next weekend.

  • 01/02/18 Vans back in time

    01/02/18 Vans back in time

    As mentioned by Ross in the previous update, Tuesday and Wednesday saw the GCR host a Timeline Events Photocharter.  These events used the Van train rake made predominantly from our vehicles, 11 of the 12 vans we are responsible for. 27605671_1707414849279136_386247649_oAs for the gala the vehicles maintained there labels, chalking and posters adding to the overall aim of the charters, to recreate a bygone age.

    On Tuesday 30th the rake was hauled by Ivatt Class 2 46521

    On Wednesday 31st the rake was hauled by BR Standard Class 2 78018

    I was on hand both days to react to any issues with the vans and also as a reenactor adding a human element to a number of shots, carrying out the roles of P-way Staff, Station Inspector, Shunter, and a 1960s gent observing the passing of steam.

  • 21/01/18 Shock and Parcels

    21/01/18 Shock and Parcels

    This weekend, despite the weathers efforts, has seen work continue with the imitation Shock gear for B850498.  Apart from a few final finishing details, the main components for the west side are in place.

    The components are all bolted in place using existing holes in the chassis and having been a former tank wagon chassis there are a fair few of them.

    With a number of Photocharters after the Winter Gala we took the time, in the dry, to fill one of the vans with a prototypical load.  Parcels were originally loaded in the CCT and the usual BR care was taken to off load these.

    27048619_10159809381900103_1614051999_o

    Christened the theatrical van it is available for events and charters for cameo scenes on platforms or in yards.

     

     

  • 17/01/18 New Logo

    17/01/18 New Logo

    Our thanks go out to Jack Shaw, Railway Artist, for his efforts in assisting with our logo design.  The design pays homage to that of our home, the Great Central Railway.
    We are all volunteers and the railway demonstrates and uses our wagon collection.

    Why Wagon and Wagon?
    The usual title for a preserved railways Rolling Stock works is Carriage and Wagon, on the GCR this is based at Rothley. Our collection covers Wagons only hence our title.

  • 09/01/18 Axle Exams

    09/01/18 Axle Exams

    This weekend has seen full axle box examinations carried out on B850498.
    Removal of the covers, clean, inspection of the axle and pads. It is clear that the chassis has been stood for some time so 3 of the boxes required new pads. Boxes then oiled and reassembled after the new pads had soaked. Over the next few weeks we shall keep an eye on the oil levels and monitor the oil use, initially, this will be high until the pad is fully soaked.

    B784409 has now been shunted into the box van train and joins sister B783082. This has allowed access to the unrestored east side underframe which has been scrapped cleaned and is ready for paint. This will be done next weekend and will be ready for the Winter Gala, this will also be the first time the vehicle has run in preservation.

    Also of note on B784409 we removed the east side wagon plate,  this was fitted in 1981 when the vehicle had its vacuum brakes removed, fitted with air brakes and new suspension becoming VEA 230097. This uncovered the original HMLE data panel. This gives Route available and speed data for the vehicle under various load conditions.

  • 05/01/18 The Winter Project

    05/01/18 The Winter Project

    Our winter project is progressing leaps and bounds. The Christmas lull has seen a partial reroof and the fitting of the roof canvas. A new door noggin and all four doors replaced with associated furniture fitted.

    A pair of BR(W) non common user plates have also been created and sign written