Another week and some more arrivals, this time the BRUTE fleet increases from 6 to 8. Many thanks to our donator, who wishes to remain anonymous. These new trollies have 3 out of the 4 side curtains in place confirming our guessed measurements by acting as templates to manufacture 16 replacements. With the originals going in to store.
Some final touches to the visible side of the tool van, fitting the now white 3 link couplings. Why? Well why not? As well as a CR builders plate and our re-wheeled plate.
Main task however was the much needed repairs to the roof’s of 765272 and 786348, especially as it seems the much needed rain has arrived.
765272 first, removal of the felt roof and bitumasic adhesive.
This highlighted the extent of ply requiring to be replaced. New pieces were measured and cut.
Allowing these to be used as a measure to mark the area of roof to be cut, which was duly carried out.
New pieces fitted into position screwed to the existing roof hoop batons. Followed by additional supporting strips of ply and bolts were holes were available.
The end roof hoops were also scraped and primed ready for refitting.
Zsa Zsa received a 3D printed Brush plaque as fitted to vehicles sold by the Brush, we assume as an internal use vehicle these were never fitted so have added this, with Kiki receiving hers once her new body has been built.
Bolt holes were drilled and filled, then nutted. With a supporting strip added to receive staples
Whilst Nick and Richard applied a repair plate and the west side supporting strips. Ross and I removed the roof hoops and damaged felt from 786348 which highlighted some repairs required for this roof.
So the area above the east side door of 348 was in need of repair. This was cut back new ply measured and cut and this was fitted as above.
With the necessary repairs made the roof sheets were cut and rolled out on to the roof’s
A roof hoop at one end was then bolted to each vehicle.
Sheet tensioned and then the opposite hoop fitted. On Monday we also welcomed new volunteer Henry.
The sheet was then stapled down each side and trimmed.
We shall leave them for the week and hopefully if the weather holds we shall paint the sheets.
Final tasks for this bank holiday weekend, rebuild Danny’s clutch after the new components arrived. All working successfully.
This was followed by working on Hectors brakes, which resulted in a fully working front wheel and a burst pipe leading to the right hand drum. A little more to do but with the pipe clamped to the rear brakes it is now possible to stop.
As always, join us next week to see what we have been up to.
We start with final touches being applied to 765272, South swan neck, lamp irons and a second coat of bauxite for the southern vent.
As well as the completion of the east side data panel.
This completes this vehicles repaint, with some roof repairs remaining to carry out. Just a pair of closing images of the vehicle as was and as is now.
Steve and I took a quick visit to Rothley to remove and repaint the sign on the former sheet store/goods shed. This returned to Quorn and was painted black, sign written and the frame glossed white.
Back at Quorn, and attention turning to arguably the most important van in the fleet, well to us anyhow.
Same as always, Scrape, with a little more than usual being removed.
PVA.
Prime,
Although with the additional step of fill, sand and fill. As a static van this will add a little more life to the ply which would vibrate out of an inservice vehicle.
Then the start of the undercoating, any guesses about livery?
The chalkboards were also removed, Scraped, PVA’d and primed.
Between waiting for items to dry we also applied a smart coat of black to the garage.
Followed by a trip back to Rothley to refit the now completed sign.
With Nick back from Scout camp, we trial fit two BRUTEs in his van. This is in preparation for a future road trip.
A touch of sealer was then applied to 854097.
Then once that had cured more paint, not only green but a touch of yellow too.
I’ll leave you a week to figure it out, see if you guess correctly next week.
A few more coats, then I wonder what details we shall be applying? As the afternoon came to a close we took the tug for a visit to the station, with a few ideas for Railways at Work 2023 beginning to circulate.
We begin this update on Friday. Having packed last week all was set for our Welsh road trip to the Gwili Railway. Totalling 508 miles from Lincoln to Bronwydd Arms station via Quorn, Jerry preformed faultlessly.
Our thanks goes to Phil Budd for inviting us to the event and we extend that thanks to all the volunteers both resident at the Gwili and who brought there own Oddities for making us feel welcome.
Between manning our own display Ross and I managed to man a Loco. Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns Ltd No. 7849 Moorbarrow, to be honest it was a footplate ride.
With a ride on some of the other oddities, namely the Wickham trolley from the Somerset & Dorset Railway and the Pump trolley from the Great Western Society at Didcot.
We also met Lawrie from Lawrie’s Mechanical Marvels, with a possible joint venture in the future, Jerry becoming a supporter of Lawrie’s work.
A ”Quick” drive back to Quorn which was followed by Sunday taken up by emptying Jerry, cleaning and drying our kit, interspersed with the raising of our new flag pole, fitting a temporary exhaust to the Volvo as well as looking at a few electrical and cosmetic issues.
Its Jubilee bank holiday, so what better way than working on items built during the reign of our Queen, although for us thats excludes 22 rail vehicles from our 99 strong fleet.
Nick, Dave, Jake and I on site Thursday.
Dave out with the sign writing brushes applying lettering to B852838 and B854782
Nick and Jake focused on B850498 (0ne of the 22 that was build before the reign of Elizabeth II) and B779978. Scraping the wood work, applying primer and undercoating were possible.
For me, I began with a mega mixing session, dialling down and recording the precise ratios for our hand mixed Trolley Blue.
With the mix complete, I applied a second coat to our first completed Brute and to the base of the second as we were literally scraping the bottom of the paint tin last week.
Details were also applied. Fleet number, Brake handle, chalk board and black to the ID plate.
Thursday wraps up with 2 matching Brutes. A completed Shockvan, a partially signwritten Shockvan and 3 vans repaint progressed.
Only Nick onsite Friday, who primed and undercoated the remaining panels of B780282, undercoated those which had been primed on B850498 and primed B779978.
On to Saturday with Nick, Ross and I on site. Nick starting with undercoat to B779978. Followed by Gloss to B780282.
I got the white out applying the shock stripes t0 B852838 and B850498
This was followed by a touch of sign-writing. Right hand details to 838 and the paint symbol to the east side of B854782.
Ross and Nick then applied gloss to the previously undercoated panels of B779978.
Whilst we waited for paint to dry we decided to do another BRUTE. Wire brushed, then a touch of welding. Including a crack, that a number of the trolleys seem to have.
With the welding complete, it only made sense to prime it, bet you regret visiting us now Owen?
Oh, and time for one final task.
Sunday, same team, unfortunately rain stopped play so a tidy session. Although Jerry had the opportunity to sit with Dame Vera Lynns Escort Mk3.
Its vintage vehicle weekend at the GCR, so Madge and Jerry out representing us in the main yard. They also made a new friend who spent the night with them, I wonder what conversations were had?
They then spent Sunday together.
On to the main event, as we move closer to the Bogie Bolsters completion.
Nick and Richard focusing on the bolsters, de-weeding and creosoting.
Dave with paint and brush applied the east side lettering.
All that remains is the all important shunt by the Operations department to gain access to the hidden bogie.
I also had my brushes out completing our secret project.
Which was then mounted in the evening.
Thomas was also on site and was able to reach all those areas the less flexible members of the group could not.
On to Sunday, and a few finishing touches on the sign.
Literally dotting the I’s as I missed them, tidying of the right hand edge and prime and gloss the back.
Next task was the annual exam of the Midland Brake van, as this is due and the vehicle required for mid week work .
We were aware of a foot step issue with the vehicle and this was duly changed and creosoted.
Final task for me, the first trip home for Jerry. An absolute pleasure with no issues.
That brings us to the end of this update, lets do it all again next weekend shall we?
Its time for the first public opening of Test Car 2 in 2022.
Once again the wife and I are using the Mess coach to its full potential. Staying on site for this bank holiday weekend. First task on arrival Thursday evening, setting up barriers and signage.
On to Friday with Dave and I opening the doors.
Jerry also made his public debut loaded with test equipment for the Test Car.
For Dave and I that was our weekend, assisted by Nick, Ross and Richard various times throughout the weekend. Saturday was completed with a chippy as the trains ran in to the night.
Eireni and Michelle manned our new sales stand, all proceeds going back into the wagons, many thanks to those who purchased, visited and supported us.
On the wagon front, Nick completed the underframe paint of the Bogie Bolster and refitted the remaining floor planks on Saturday. Final task is to paint the bogies, the request has been sent to the Ops department who hopefully will be moving it out of the dock to allow completion of the vehicle.
Sunday, Nick and Ross replaced the final side sheet requiring replacement this year, this being on the west side of B786348.
On to Monday and the Mixed traffic event with the mixed freight in operation.
After many failed attempts to pin down the colour for the Brutes, I decided to turn chemist and mix our own, using up some of the left over enamel paint from previous projects.
More than happy with the colour match.
The brake handle was also painted yellow towards the end of the day.
There has been so many images/videos from the event but the following from Jason Cross gives a flavour of the event. including some dodgy wagon fitters at the end.
We shall once again be opening the Test Car next Saturday for the bus rally, with Jerry on site the sales stand open, please come and say hello.
As mentioned in the last update, Ross and I are having a week to focus on my 1988 Escort van, christened Jerry. Amongst that a splattering of other projects, weather permitting.
On to Monday, with the prep work carried out over the weekend, we jumped straight into it, well if I’m honest we didn’t. First I dropped off my recently acquired steel wheels for refurbishment. Followed by a spring clean of B954268 but more on that lower down.
Then we jumped straight into it! A wipe down to remove contaminants that may have settled overnight, whilst Ross mixed the primer/sealer. This was applied thinly and will require a second coat, but we shall have to wait 8 hours.
What to do with this time? We decided before the week that we would look at those little nitty-gritty projects that need to be progressed.
The BRUTEs (British Rail Universal Trolley Equipment) Entering service in 1964 means they did see steam but only just. Our main intention, like our collection as a whole, is to maintain them and evoke those memories for people of the National network gone by.
We selected those that required light conservation, with the aim of undercoating one a day, given the above weather caveat.
It was given a wire wheel and then rained. It’s ready for primer and better weather.
I’m staying on site in our luxury Mess coach and for the evening was joined by Nick and also Owen from Chasewater, Owen is responsible for a certain set of Coal Hoppers, so we had a night of Pizza, talking wagons and painting box van side panels.
On to Tuesday, second coat of primer for Jerry.
The main event for Tuesday however was a visit by fellow Railway enthusiast turned brake van owner, Ollie Simons.
What originally started as a paint enquiry quickly developed into a opportunity for Ollie to view some of our fleet and specifically our two BR standard brake vans.
Ollie is the mastermind behind the Wardle Road Youtube channel and Facebook page. He has recently extended his hobby from OO gauge to 12inches to the foot gauge. If you have not seen his work or his channel, We throughly recommend it.
For his visit we warmed up B954268 and spent a day talking wagons. Ollie’s video from his visit is below;
The weather once again hindered plans, so we stripped Danny for paint and Nick arrived to add Gloss to the side sheets.
One of the advantages of staying onsite is the opportunity to see the behind the scenes workings of the GCR. A morning of loading the ballast hoppers and prep of a tamper.
On to Wednesday, and the main target for the whole week.
If you have not guessed already, we are heading for……………
British Rail Yellow, Golden Yellow, Warning panel Yellow, BS381C 365, call it what you wish, its safe to say its Yellow.
However the start was delayed by a faulty pressure switch on the compressor.
This gave me time to assemble the sign-writing templates as the weather once again decided no primer for the brute.
With the compressor repaired Ross mixed the paint.
Then applied 3 base coats.
Unfortunately, two areas reacted poorly and after a break for lunch this was sanded and reprimed
Once the primer had dried 3 layers of yellow were applied.
Although once again remedial action is required to the rear left wheel arch.
Thursday and for me the first time this year with the sign-writing brushes. I’ll let the images do the talking;
The lettering is applied as per BR14222 Painting and lettering schedule for British Rail road vehicles. Issued in 1986, this does state signwriting and the use of imperial units for the unladen weight.
The only addition being the vehicles name.
Whilst I was working my magic and with the sun in the sky, Ross was finally able to apply primer to the Brute. So much for the plan of doing one a day!
After primer, Ross tended to Jerry’s wheel arch in appropriate attire.
Friday, with all but Jake on site. For me and Ross, applying the lacquer to Jerry. First step as always, blow down then mix
Then application.
With that done the door was locked, mainly to stop me from prodding the soft paintwork.
With the hint taken I cleaned primed and top coated my wiper arms.
Nick was on van sides, assisted by Ross after work on Jerry, preparing B784409s North west side for removal.
Dave took on the task of sign-writing B780282 after its side sheet replacement last week.
Richard made a start on B928135 painting the outer frames, whilst I looked at the inner frames.
In a moment of madness, likely due to the sun, I modified a men at work sign to give warning of Nicks hammer habits.
Then to wrap up the day there was enough time to start removing some of Jerry’s masking.
Saturday just Nick, Richard, and Ross on site. Nick and Ross continued the side sheet replacement, removing the old one, scraping and painting the metalwork, and then fitting the new side.
Richard continued painting the solebar on the Bogie Bolster, with Ross assisting once the Vanwide was finished. Nick had a visitor in the afternoon, Dillon James and his wife. Dillon from the Mid Hants Railway wagon group was up visiting family and popped in to say hello and reminesse over Nick’s photo albums.
On to Sunday with Nick, Dave, Richard and, I on-site. Dave assembled the templates and then sign wrote B777171
Dave also applied the data panel dates to B784409 whilst Nick painted the nut heads around the replaced panel.
With their individual tasks complete, Dave and Nick joined Richard on the Bolster progressing the underframe repaint.
This was interspersed with a task on the Test Car. Due to some jack rust under the South West corner, that door had become stiff to open. So a touch of chiseling, hammering and packing the door hinges we now have a smoother operating door. This is in preparation for the GCR Diesel Gala when we will be opening the Test Car for the first time this year.
Dave also replaced the eastside wagon label clip block on the Bogie Bolster
For me and ably assisted by my wife Michelle, we demasked and refitted the removed components from Jerry. As well as brand new period appropriate number plates.
I also sanded down and painted the rear bumpers.
Apart from steel wheels and a polish that’s about it for the external alterations.
Finally we cover Monday, Nick and I on site. Focusing on the Bogie Bolster. Sign-writing for me. Back of the templates chalked and affixed into place.
Templates marked to transfer the chalk line
Then painted, including wagon plate a brake release stars.
Painting of the underframe was the order of the day for Nick.
We also did a few details. Vacuum and Air pipes as well as the identification plates on the removable Bolsters.
With that, that completes this update, my congratulations for staying with me. I’m going to let someone else write next weeks update.
So after the excitement of last weekend, and with glorious sunshine, during the week the opportunity was taken to progress an item of rolling stock that has been waiting for better weather. I am of course referring to the Bogie Bolster.
Wednesday I popped in and after a quick sweep down, I started with the Metal Primer.
First applying it to the bolsters
Then on to the West and South end
Thursday and joined by Richard we continued what I started the day previous Richard applying undercoat to the East and North Sides
I did exactly the same as I did Wednesday but applied undercoat to the Bolsters and the West and South sides.
Richard also following the primer with undercoat.
This completed the midweek work with the above frame areas now all in undercoat ready for gloss
To Saturday with Nick, Richard, and I on-site, along with some gloss. The same procedure as the rest of the week, Bolsters for me and body side for Richard.
Nick also started lifting planks to begin looking at and tidying the frame tops.
The lower half of the bolster stanchions were also primed, undercoated, and glossed.
On to Sunday. Nick, Ross, Richard, and I are on site. First job continuation of the floor removal.
Nick and Ross scraped and vacuumed the frame top.
Richard followed with primer.
I also followed with primer although started on the upper stanchions first.
Following up the primer, a layer of undercoat.
Unfortunately, despite the clocks moving forward by an hour we ran out of light. All the upper frame structure primed and 2/3rd in undercoat.
That concludes this update and as always we shall bring you more next week.
