We’re thankful to be out of the elements in the workshop at Rothley again this weekend. This means we have been able to progress the paintwork on 3711 and also take a look at the brakes on sister tank 3436.
With the shed foreman keeping a close eye on things throughout the weekend, Ross & Nick got stuck into the removal of the vacuum cylinder from 3436.
The vacuum release valve was removed and dismantled to find an amount of wet sludge inside, so Ross cleaned and rebuilt this with new seals.
The vacuum brake cylinder was dismantled and apart from cleaning this only required a new rolling ring and dome seal.
The vacuum cylinder was re-fitted and the branch pipe re-connected.
Whilst Ross and Nick were busy with 3436, I concentrated on the signwriting on the west side of 3711.
Then the tank-end numbers.
Sunday, and Ross joined me with some signwriting on 3711, finishing off the bodyside numbers and the solebar details.
Tom also helped with some detail painting, whilst Dan and Mark helped Nick with the removal of the vacuum cylinder from 3711. Although we had overhauled this cylinder a few weeks ago, when tested we found a problem with the partial brake application suggesting that the rolling ring was leaking past, therefore it was likely to need an oversize ring. An appropriate rolling ring was fitted and the cylinder re-instated under the wagon.
With the Class 10 shunting locomotive being operational today to move some grampus wagons to Swithland sidings, we took the opportunity when it returned to use its vacuum to carry out a brake test on the tank wagons.
Despite the showers the tanks were shunted out of the workshop.
5209 was also still at Rothley, so was duly coupled to 3436 and 3711 making this the first sight of our ‘TRIO’ of Esso tank wagons together.
The vacuum brake tests then being carried out successfully on all three tank wagons.
With a few small jobs still to do on 3711 before it can be released to traffic, but I think you’ll agree it does look a little different from when it arrived from Meldon Quarry in September 2021.
Join us again next week to see how we get on; all the best, Dave
Hello all, and welcome the first update 2023 update from Quorn Wagon & Wagon.
We started this week on New Year’s Day. As Matt mentioned last week, Nick and Thomas were there but I was there too. Nick and Thomas concentrated on the tank underframe and painting any bits missed.
I concentrated on the details, all the standard stuff. White gloss on the hand brake end and lamp brackets, red on the vacuum swan necks and yellow on the roller bearing end caps. Only one axle at the moment as the other is planned to be changed due to the flange thickness on one wheel. I also painted a second coat on the Esso plates after flatting it back, and undercoat and gloss on the OLE warning plate.
Tuesday saw Dave and Matt on site. Matt concentrating on the Esso plates, with Dave setting up the other signwriting and making a start on the east side solebar.
Saturday saw Nick, Dave and I on site, also joined by Dan, Tom and Oliver. Dave was again on signwriting duty, with me assisting.
Nick had to go and do a shunt with the Class 10 to move the Grampus to Rothley for their annual exam, and the other Esso tank 3436 came back with them for some planned work. The Esso plate removed as a template before Christmas got put back on as well.
Dan, Tom and Oliver made a start on the next wagon, the 21t Coal Hopper. Out came the scrapers and the wagon body and underframe was scraped to get it ready for paint.
While Dave was signwiritng, I taped up the big stars, keyed the paint and applied the first coat of white on both sides of the tank. This will need another coat on another day. I also taped up and applied some undercoat for the Commuted Charge symbol.
Dave got one side of the ‘Esso Petroleum’ lettering applied, which leaves the other side for next week.
Unfortunately, nobody was on site on Sunday so we’ll have to leave the update there. There is more planned for the tank next weekend, so join us then and see where we get to.
B781908 was transferred to us becoming rail vehicle 100
Vehicle 101 arrived number 5209 and received brake overhaul and a repaint as well as 2 replica Esso plates, more on that below
3711 also had a brake overhaul including a new train pipe and a paint, again more on that below.
We repainted a 16T Mineral from the Windcutter group into a NCB livery for pairing up with the Class 10 at Rothley
Bogie Bolster D B928135 received overhauls to brakes, bearings and bolsters as well as a complete repaint
B954546 received a new stove and stove pipe as well as completion of the internal repaint.
While sister B954268, after 4 years of waiting, went to Rothley to have its damaged wheel sets removed for modification to receive new tyres and currently sits on accommodation wheelsets.
Also all Oleo buffers on the van train have been removed and overhauled, although we are awaiting the return of 784409s
and our first open weekend, where we got together with friends from a number of other railway wagon groups.
We assisted the Great Western Society with a piece about Colico Containers, C&W with a Brake Open, and the Nene Valley Railway with their new Scammell box trailer.
A flag pole was raised, and we talked to the Leicester Area group of The Friends of the Great Central Mainline.
However, we received serious damage from high winds, lost 2 tins of green paint a scraper and a mug.
That’s 20 rail vehicles, 7 road vehicles 2 trailers and 5 arrivals awaiting work, what a year.
Not finished yet however, lets talk about last week.
Tuesday and final touches to 5209, Nick and Ross carrying out a roller bearing exam.
Once reassembled the covers were painted Yellow then some areas tided up with Black.
Painting of the Esso plates for me, using enamel paint to the correct 1960s Esso Pantones.
Wednesday and with 5209 complete it was replaced in the shed by 3711.
Dave and I sanding the barrel. Whilst Nick, Tom, Dan and Oliver, tidied up the main frames.
After manufacturing brackets, Ross and I positioned the Esso plates and tack welded them, using the plate it’s self as a guide. Top brackets first, then with the aid of wood and ratchet straps the lower brackets were brought into position.
Plates then removed for the final welding, followed by prime both to the new brackets and the back of the plates, the plates then receiving a Gloss.
Next task the removal of the west side rotten tank support side plates. After dressing, replacements were manufactured.
Thursday, and the manufactured plates were welded on by Ross, farmer welding as he puts it.
I popped into Quorn to remove the angle iron floor from the soon to be no longer long trailer.
Then once I arrived at Rothley it was on to undercoating the tank and prime and undercoat the front of the Esso plates.
Airfix kit anyone?
Friday and a split group.
Nick, Mark, Thomas,Tom, Dan, Oliver and Charlie, scraping and preparing the inner frames and the wheel splashers of 3711, the splashers receiving primer once done.
Ross and I at Quorn, removing the coupler from the long trailer. Once removed, a template of the bolt holes was manufactured and new holes drilled using the head rail as position reference.
We then made our way to Rothley, Ross spraying the prepared areas and I glossing the Esso plates.
New Year’s eve and a split group again. Nick, Ross and Thomas at Rothley applying the gloss coat to 3711.
Quorn for me, raising the Scammell coupler to its new position. Slowly and carefully winched in to position and the bolts fitted.
With the coupler fitted the centre floor supports were fitted as well as angle irons to support the headboard. Ross came back from Rothley and made the “no turning back” cut.
A little tidying required but we now have a 15ft trailer and just over 9ft of spare frame to go into the Killamarsh Trailer
With the light failing, that sees the end of 2022, Nick and Thomas went in on New Year’s Day to apply white to the lamp irons, handbrakes, and Yellow to the axle boxes. We will as always let you know what’s been happening Next Year.
Happy New Year from us all at Quorn Wagon & Wagon.
First as is the custom at this time of year, Merry Christmas, our usual end of year review will follow this update then it’s on to 2023. What better way to celebrate than working on wagons, on to Monday, and a Scarab day as 5209 had not fully cured to accept topcoat. Three fronts as we battled the Scammell tasks on the list
Ross stayed in the warmth of the mess coach with sewing machine, leather, wadding and thread. Sorting the upholstery for Lilibets seats, with Dan who I had given the task of identifying the Killamarsh Trailers running number, flecks of BR Crimson and what looks like British Road Service green but unfortunately no number remains.
Nick and Tom’s focus was also on the Killamarsh trailer, trying to unseize the right wheel and the Scammell coupler. The coupler was a success and works, although a little remedial action is required, namely replacement springs and lubrication. The wheel however remains stuck.
For me a task I have been looking at doing for sometime. The 25ft trailer really is too long for our use. So out with the grinder. Measuring the kurb rails to the proposed 15ft I found a manufactures mark in the same area.
Rails shortened, planks removed and head board and head rail moved back to its new position. Do we play the colour scheme game again? It will also get a renumber I have taken the original serial number 86256, divided it by 25, giving me a number per foot of 3450.25, which when multiplied by 15 gives 51754, rounded up. So HT 51754 E will be the new running number.
Tuesday and back to Rothley and with the undercoat dry it was out with the Gloss.
For the first time this year, Ross sprayed a wagon, despite this being the 17th wagon to receive paint.
Dan, Tom and Nick applying underframe black to…………well the underframe.
The Esso plates also received paint to the back
Wednesday and another Scarab day. Ross attending to a few items on Lilibet, new rocker cover seal, fan belt and completion of the wiper wiring.
Nick and I focusing on the NVR trailer, wooden framing replaced as required and bolted in position.
With the new cladding having arrived in the morning it was laid out ready for fitment, Danny was used as an anchor for a ratchet strap to straighten the frame. Then the right hand sheets were fitted and nailed to the new wood as would have originally been done.
Thursday and back to Rothley with the tank now dry it was time to start the finishing touches.
Ross and Nick fitted the Esso plates and then applied primer and under coat
Nick then painting the chassis steps black, touching up missed areas and painted the swan necks red.
Ross then applied undercoat and the first coat of yellow to the commuted charge symbols.
What was I doing? Signwriting, lots and lots of signwriting, Running numbers, Wheelbase, Load, Tare, solebar plates, traffic stars and release cord stars.
Still a little more to do but its starting to come together.
On to Friday and more signwriting for me, Builders plates, OLE warning, foot valve plate and Commuted Charge symbols.
Ross worked his magic on the Esso plates, sand, a further under coat and gloss.
Dan and Oliver scraped and painted under the tank.
Whilst Tom, applied gloss to the lamp irons, foot valve handles, hand brake ends and ladder.
Finally Ross freed off the axle end cap nuts, in preparation for exam after the big day.
Christmas Eve, leaving the tank once again, as we await gloss to cure and paint to arrive, it’s another Scarab day.
Tail board removed from the big trailer then all of the remaining floor boards, as I want to return the floor to its correct position and only having to remove 15ft worth of additional steel work is more manageable than 25ft worth.
All the farmer applied supports were cut and the kurb rails and head rail moved forward.
The rear over hang was then cut to the correct 17 and a bit inch from the rear axle support, and the tail board fitted.
With the outer rails complete, they were centred on the chassis, drilled and bolted to the 6 supports, 3 each side. The east side first as the west had a little bow. The east rail being used as an anchor to pull against whilst the west was bolted.
With the light failing and after raising the front of the trailer in preparation for the removal of the Scammell coupling, I was able to get a few poor images of the final size of the trailer.
Apologies for the delay on this one, I hope you will see it was worth it. So with a sense of déjàvu we are at Rothley, with some tanks, I’m sure we did this a year or 2 ago.
First however, and back at Quorn, I was not 100% happy with the mudguards fitted to the NVR trailer, so with a new larger set acquired, I am much happier.
As well as replacement mudguards a replacement wiper motor for Lilibet. A smaller unit with clearer switching arrangements.
So onto the weekend, with 5209 in the dry at Rothley, Ross and I took a look at the Esso plates. The remains of nylon bolts were drilled out and the mounts re-tapped.
Once both sides were done, and joined by Owen from the NWPG we took a walk to Swithland to retrieve an Esso plate from 3436, no point reinventing the wheel. This was then fitted to the tank although not perfect it gave us a starting point.
So for the rest of the day, and many thanks to the Windcutter group for the use of their expired floor, I manufactured with further help from Ross and Owen a new plate for the tank.
Dan, Tom and Mark on site, along with Nick prepping the tank for paint, sanding, scrapping, wire brushing and removing the sole bar plates, with myself also removing sticker remains.
Ross noticed a blanking plate fitted with only 2 bolts, so after sourcing further bolts and cleaning them up, he bolted this down fully.
On to Sunday and the aim, undercoat the tank.
After a quick visit to Quorn we returned to Rothley with some sizeable pieces of steel, from the hut that was mounted on the Palbrick. These were marked out and cut to size. Giving us 3 more Esso plates, one for 5209 and two for 3711.
The holes in the ex mineral floor were filled with countersunk machine screws and ground down. These will be filled once fitted to the wagon.
The plates were then primed on the back.
Nick and Ross continued with the paint prep. I did lend a hand
Then spot prime
Followed by Undercoat.
Finally it is with great sorrow I must announce the passing of Nicks favouritest scraper. It has given many years of faithful service and will be sorely missed.
Scraper 1974 – 2022
Merry Christmas from us, we are still going to be at it so we will let you know what has been achieved on Christmas Day.
His main task was the fitment of a new floor, using some of the reclaimed wood from Loughborough loco shed. 20 planks used for 30 spaces, utilising off cuts to make up full planks.
The two tank wagons 3711 and 5209 headed off to Rothley along with brake van B954268 and the spare brake van chassis which is to donate its wheelsets to go under B954268 whilst its own are away for their long awaited repairs.
In return brake van B954546 was brought from Rothley to Quorn so we could attend to the final items of interior work and get it ready for release to traffic.
Next a little admin, with thanks to the Killamarsh loco works and James Littlewood, Matt took delivery of the remains of a 15ft Scammell trailer. Originally from the former Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Station of Killamarsh, later named Killamarsh Central by BR. A genuine GCR connection.
As well as the trailer a former Great Western Railway Dray has joined the fleet, BR number 2901 W originally allocated to Wolverhampton Lowlevel station part of a batch of 3.
The intention being once restored to be loaded on the Single Bolster and also be available for Railways at Work.
On Friday evening along with the Windcutter group, we were invited to go along to the Friends of the Great Central Main Line, Leicester Area group monthly meeting to talk to them about Quorn Wagon & Wagon. Matt and myself prepared a presentation and took it turns to share some of our history and achievements with the group. Thanks Colin, a very enjoyable evening.
Saturday, and Matt made more progress fitting some new mudguards to the NVR trailer, followed by an assessment of the rear tailgate.
Then repaired one of the kerb rail supports that had a little oxidation
Myself and Ross turned our attention to brake van B954546, this vehicle was externally restored whilst at Rothley 2 years ago; however the interior had not been completed. We set about removing the very damaged stove, its stove base tray and baseplate; then cleaned the inside of the van.
The stove mountings on the baseplate had wasted badly and needed replacing, which meant the stove base had to be separated from the main baseplate. Once free we tried to remove the remnants of the old bolts, unfortunately these all sheared and the mounts needed grinding off. New mounts were made from sections of 2″ pipe cut to length.
The baseplate and stove base were cleaned and re-assembled with a replacement stove from the spares stock. Once this was nurtured back into place the stove pipe was fitted and secured by the clamp bolt on the roof.
Grate plated were installed and the whole installation looking very presentable.
To protect the top of the stovepipe Ross fabricated a cowl cap which was secured in place as the light faded.
Sunday was a celebration day for Nick, 60 years young ! Many Happy Returns Nick.
Despite being full of cake we still cracked on with the brake van; the stove had to be tested. The fire was lit and soon warmed the brake van up nicely. An infra-red thermometer was used to check temperatures around the stove, stovepipe and mounting plate.
The brake gauges & windows were cleaned up, and the first aid box fitted along with the track circuit clips.
The air brake handle, main reservoir & brake pipes were painted along with the vacuum brake application valve.
It was then time for a vacuum brake test; the test rig was coaxed into life however an initial leakage test highlighted a leak somewhere on the brake van that needed attention.
The vacuum brake application valve inside the brake van was found to be leaking slightly, so the valve was dismantled, cleaned and the worn seal replaced. After re-fitting the fresh red paint did need touching up .
Other leaks were found in the south end brake pipe and also at the vacuum branch pipe connection to the cylinder, both being replaced before retesting and obtaining an acceptable brake pipe leakage rate. The brake cylinder leakage was then checked, this was also acceptable; the brake still remaining fully applied 2 hours afterwards.
This completes the work on brake van B954546 which will now be available for operational use once signed off by the C&W department.
Matt has once again pushing on with Lilibet on Monday. He fitted the new seats, which still await upholstery.
He was on site awaiting an arrival, but had time with assistance from wife Michelle to complete the interior Blood, Custard and Grey, as well as adding a leather patch to the nose access panel as the paint work gets touched by the left foot when operating the clutch. Any guesses regards the crimson square?
What of this arrival? A little job from our friends at the Nene Valley Railway Wagon Group. They have recently purchased an ex Cadburys diesel 6T Scarab including trailer. While they focus on the tractor unit, Matt has taken on the trailer as a side task. The agreement being the trailer can leave once their Scarab visits for a Railways at Work Gala. We will cover this restoration as one of our own, with Matt being heard to say he wants it structurally complete by Christmas, he does like to challenge himself.
Although one task at a time, Lilibet’s internal repaint continuing Wednesday and completed Thursday. The original seat being refitted as the new ones go away for reupholstering.
Matt also restored and repaired a few of the cab fittings.
On to the NVR trailer, Matt removed the floor and the side sheets to inspect and prepare the way forward for the frame.
On to Saturday with Dave, Matt and Nick on site. Matt carried on with Lillibet, signwriting the cab. Now you’ll see the reason for the Crimson square!
Dave and Nick fitted some different vacuum felxible hoses from the train pipe to the cylinder release valve and tested the brakes on 3711 using our trusty vacuum rig.
Unfortunately the brakes had some resistance to applying, so Dave had to deploy a jack to give it some encouragement. One pipe joint was found to be leaking, so this was also attended to at this point.
Dave continued the signwriting on the dock side of the tool van, dodging the showers!
I was there on Sunday alongside Nick, Matt, Mark and Dan. Nick, Mark, Dan and I continued looking at the breaks on the tank. We tried the rig again after issues with the test hoses, and applied and released the brakes a few times. It was noted that the piston had risen above the reserve stroke, which points to the brakes requiring adjustment. We did this and much as could be done and tried again.
Matt continued on his push on the NVR’s trailer, making new wood framework for the rear and the side frames.
Back to our brake test, the cylinder seemed to be applying and releasing better, but was found to fail the slow application test. Unfortunately this means we’ll need to take the cylinder off again at somepoint to investigate.
Now relased from the brake test, Nick continued the scale removal from the inside frames of the tank, finding a nice little hidey-hole. I stripped down and cleaned our vacuum test cocks, which have become stiff to operate of late.
After all this, we found time to replace the sign Matt adopted as a secret project.
Once again some midweek work for me, with the deadline looming for the BSO, a trip to Rothley Tuesday to apply the west side running number, Guard and load details. It was also possible to line the Guard marking.
Between coats I manufactured a pair of seat bases for Lilibet, then once back at Quorn, I manufactured and applied seat backs.
This was followed by prime, wood and metal, as well as applying it to the passenger seat base.
One final task for me, we found 24v instead of 12v bulbs in Lilibet’s side lights as well as a blown brake light. So after purchasing replacements these were fitted.
Wednesday began with scraping, keying and priming Lilibet’s cab
With another trip to Rothley to apply lining to the load details and second coat the running number.
Thursday and application of undercoat to Lilibet’s cab and nose access cover.
Final trip to Rothley to complete the sign writing. End details, line the running number and time to admire the Carriage and Wagon staffs work , as well as my own.
On to Saturday with Nick and I on site, we began by offering up pipe to 3711. Checking length and positions ready for Sundays push to fit a train pipe.
Nick also fitted the vacuum dummies and ensured we had all the fittings and tools to install the new run.
I fitted Lilibet with new mirrors which are a lot better than the single original and similar to those fitted to the Ipswich transport museums Scarab I had a play with earlier in the year.
I also reattached the home made window slide, as the rivets failed, although not unexpected as they were too small for the holes that exsisted in the scrounged metal work
As the sun set it was onto undercoating the inside of the doors
Applying topcoat to the nose access cover and giving Madge a run so she didn’t feel left out, no requirement for guesses for the internal livery this week I’m afraid.
With the weeks work passing by on its way to Loughborough
On to Sunday, the target, complete the train pipe on 3711. Ross and Nick, joined by new Volunteers Dan, Tom and Mark.
The middle section of pipe was refitted after the rotten ends were removed, cleaned up and threaded. A short section of pipe was fitted to the south end and after an application of heat it was forced to face a more useful direction.
The process of cutting, threading, joining and clamping continued until there was a train pipe from the north headstock to the south.
This was then finished with a swan neck at each end.
Followed by vacuum hoses
Final task was to fit the branch pipe to the cylinder release valve. Due to the position and removal of the other cylinder two short flexible pipes and a rigid pipe are required. This will be fitted securely next week and not left on the brake rigging.
I continued with Lilibet, applying Cream and then Crimson to the cab.
Vacuum test next week for the tank, join us to see how it performs.
Welcome to this weeks’ Last Hurrah update, Lilibet and two tanks get some attention.
So who guessed Yellow? Matt would never be that predictable, for those who haven’t seen, Lilibet now carriers the 1963 Grey Railfreight livery trialed on a number of vehicles before the adoption of BR yellow.
Going back to Monday with Matt returning to Quorn once FedEx had paid him a visit. Two coats of BR Unfitted Grey were then applied. With assembly of the signwriting templates between coats.
Tuesday and on to the sign writing
Removed components were then refitted and bolt heads painted, as well as those on the rear number plate.
On to Wednesday and Matt joined by Ross removed the wiring loom.
Matt applied some tape and painted the parts of the rear wheels which were red.
Ross had to disappear with other commitments, so Matt made his way to Rothley to assist C&W adding the final details to BSO E9316, applying first coat of Guard, ELP and a vacuum release star to the east side.
Also on Wednesday after a chance conversation and a little bit of archeology, Matt discovered Lilibet’s in-service livery, that of the Mersey Docks & Harbour Board, a simple rendering below;
Thursday, and for Ross the wiring of a new loom, using copies of the original manufacturer’s wiring diagram.
Whilst Matt, second coated the already applied lettering as well as the first coat for the British Railways branding.
To complete the day Matt went back to Rothley to continue signwriting the BSO, second coat of Guard and the load detail added to the east side, as well as ELP and vacuum stars to the west.
Friday followed a similar pattern to Thursday, however Ross installed the loom and started wiring components up.
Matt, applied a second coat of paint to the BR branding, then went and woke Madge up, moving a few trailers and replacing her number plates with the new re-enacting ones.
Items started to come to life on Lilibet, but a dirty fuse box started causing some issues, but she is getting there.
As he has been all week, Matt then went off to a Rothley for more work on the BSO, this time lining the lettering applied to the east side.
A further visit to Quorn saw Matt refit Lilibet’s engine cover, check the fluids and take a few night shots in the lights of Butler Henderson’s.
Saturday saw the first day of the Last Hurrah. and another first, our two now BR liveried Scarabs together, Lilibet joining Madge outside the good shed.
With most of the team on-site as well as new volunteers Mark, Tom and Dan we decided to tackle the refurbishment of the vacuum cylinder on TSV tank wagon 5209.
The wagon being stabled at the north end of Quorn yard meant we had to move the necessary tools with the help of Zsa-Zsa, Danny, Hector and the Volvo.
The branch pipe, piston rod and safety loop were disconnected, then the Volvo was used to support the cylinder whilst the trunnion plate was removed. The cylinder was then lowered out of the wagon and placed on the trolley for transportation back to the repair sidings.
Many hands make light work; with the release valve removed the cylinder was quickly dismantled. Our own design of piston removal tool making it much easier.
Once cleaned thoroughly by Dan and Tom, Nick inspected the work.
Now clean the new rolling ring seal was fitted then the piston lowered carefully into the cylinder using our tool again.
The dome sealing ring was fitted and the dome carefully lowered onto the cylinder, then bolts nipped-up. The outside was scraped, cleaned and the top given a coat of quick drying container black as it’s not easy to reach this once it’s back in the wagon.
The cylinder was taken back up the yard to the tank and refitted; being very much a reverse of the removal. A refurbished release valve from our stock was fitted along with a new piston rod gaiter and release chords.
Now complete Hector fetched the Vacuum Test Rig so we could check our work. The rig was connected to the tank and the brakes operated a number of times to ensure the slack adjuster was doing its job. Train pipe and cylinder leakage tests were then completed along with release valve operation. We did have one concern though, that the brakes appeared to be operating as if the wagon was loaded; so we needed to find out exactly how the empty load system should work.
Returning the test rig, Hector had a funny turn !
Madge & Lilibet completed the day entertaining visitors with a few tours of the yard as darkness fell.
Saturday evening and Sunday morning we all had a hand in some much needed tidying up in the GUV works vehicle, with Danny taking a rubbish load to the recycling skips. Some of the metal paint kettles also had their paint remnants removed by burning.
Dan helped Nick with some underframe scraping on tank 3711 and the seized screw couplings were freed off with the help of a little heat.
Over lunch we took a look at some reference material to confirm how the SAB empty/load system should operate on tank 5209. It was decided that to confirm if the problem lay with the mechanical load/weigh valve or the vacuum operated empty /load box, we should disconnect the vacuum supply to the empty /load box and re-check the brake operation. The test rig was again loaded onto a trolley and thanks to Hector made the trip up the yard to the tank.
The vacuum supply pipe was disconnected and temporarily plugged, then the brake operation checked. The brake applied as it should for an empty condition wagon, confirming that the SAB mechanical load/weigh valve was not operating correctly. As the wagon is currently only to operate in the empty condition, the empty/load vacuum valve was sealed and the feed blanked off to ensure the correct brake operation for that condition. At some point we will investigate the faulty SAB mechanical load/weigh valve.
Madge and Lilibet again got together outside the goods shed, posing for the cameras.
And watching the trains go by as the sun was setting.
Helping tidy away the trailers Lilibet was paired with Madge’sbox for the first time.
Thanks for reading that concludes a busy but enjoyable Last Hurrah weekend which saw BR Standard Class 2MT 78019 looking superb, operating its first event following restoration.
Join us again next week as we continue with work on the tanks.
With the autumn weather setting in and following a discussion with the events team, Lilibet was moved into the marquee at Quorn Tuesday, stood over a sheet, components removed, she was keyed ready for prime.
This was followed by a quick wipe of the nose and 2 strips of masking tape applied to mark out the location for nose trim. Although a later Scarab with a trimless nose I prefer the look of the sweeping trim. The tape acted as a guide to ensure both sides looked even.
A 21mm wide chrome trim was then applied above the tape, this is available from any auto parts stockist, although this particular item came from a well know internet distributer named after a river.
The chrome was also keyed, and after a panel wipe, masking was applied to areas that won’t be requiring paint.
This was followed by a quick fill of a small number of imperfections
On to Wednesday, with the filler cured the areas were sanded then panel wiped
Followed by the application of the first coat of primer, a fetching shade of our now usual white, any guesses for the final colour?
Whilst waiting for the first coat to dry I swapped the rear number plate with the new “Re-enacting” plate. OAR was used by BR vehicles in the Leicestershire area. Madge will also be receiving an OAR plate, number 317.
Why 317 and 323, well most BR Scarabs around this area carried a 300 number with 17 representing the letter Q and 23-W. Wilbur has OAR plates, numbered 815. These plates being applied for photo charters and period events but the vehicles will revert to there legal plates when on the road.
After a bite to eat the second coat was applied.
The Scammell nose plate is a fibreglass replica and as such is missing bars to protect the head light and the Horses Head, A plan has been formulated for the latter. To correct the former a piece of Aluminium bar was cut in to 3 sections holes drilled and the bars fed in, due to the curve of the plate this is a tight interference fit.
On to Saturday with focus being 3711, the East side cylinder perforated for lightness was removed, using hot spanner, high speed rotational nut remover and percussion adjustment techniques.
This will not be overhauled at the moment but may be in a few years once the steel is given time to grow back.
The train pipe was then removed, well I say pipe, more accurately the wet cardboard tube fell off.
This was followed by loosening the west side cylinder which will be overhauled and the removal of the piston rod.
There was also time to make a repair to B852838 which had been booked with a defective vacuum release chord.
Dave also overhauled the two removed release valves
Lilibet received her period tax disk and appropriate lettering for her current colour. Still accepting guesses for the final colour scheme. This was followed by a few movements around the yard, moving items between the vans and re-packing parcels into a theatrical van.
Last task for the evening, re coating Lilibet’s rear chassis and coupling gear as well as her nose plate.
Sunday began with a strip session, a 21″ Cylinder from stock which was then overhauled.
After the 2 minutes for Remembrance and awaiting the arrival of Nick to operate the Volvo. We removed Lilibets alternator as the mount was found to be misaligned. This was measured, washers welded in position and redrilled.
After fitment and with Nick now on site we set about removing the west side vaccum cylinder from 7311. Unfortunately more components were required to be taken off to facilitate removal, so with a gap on the east side we fitted the overhauled cylinder there.
As we do not intend to fill the tank, it will only have one cylinder plumbed back in, as we do with all our load valve dual cylindered vehicles. This is just to eliminate any risk of running an empty wagon with the brake force of a full one.
Sundays last task with the Volvo in operation was to straighten the west side ladder with a careful application of force.
Don’t forget to get your guesses in for Lilibet’s top coat, all will be revealed next week.
