Category: Updates

Bonfire night weekend at Quorn saw another well attended event on Friday evening with the customary bonfire.

For our group this meant that Saturday morning we concentrated on checking over the mixed freight and tidying up before getting stuck into some work on Elizabeth and 22T tank wagon 3711.

Before we started there was time to watch some YouTube video footage taken during our Open Weekend by Ollie from Wardle Road.
See below or alternatively click this link to watch:- “Quorn Wagon & Wagon Open Weekend”

Elizabeth or ‘Lilibet’ as she is becoming known, was woken from her week long slumber. I treated her to some air in her tyres; she was then used to move the small trailer for unloading of another load of recovered wood planks that were added to the storage pile.

After the trailer was unloaded Ross swept it clean, or so he thought.

Well, owner Matt didn’t seem to think his trailer was clean enough so he swept it again.

Danny was also woken up, treated to some air in the tyres and used to move some rubbish to the skips.

Richard and Nick made a start scraping and removing corrosion from the underframe of the tank wagon 3711.

Matt, Ross and myself tackling a few jobs on Lilibet, starting with the temperamental door handle removal then her ‘ears’ (sorry, roof mounted indicators) were removed as we previously did with Madge.
These indicators were not fitted as standard to Scarabs for British Railways use.

A diesel pipe leak was fixed; the accelerator pedal adjusted, all grease points attended to with the grease gun and various linkages freed off with penetrating oil. We took a good look at the wiring, and it’s clear that Lilibet will need a new wiring loom making at some point. For the time being however we have got the battery charging re-connected and tested, although a new slightly shorter alternator belt will also be required to allow it to be adjusted satisfactorily.

Not wanting to get rid of Lilibet’s ears, Matt found a use for them; and presented Nick with some new head protection equipment.

Work continued into the evening on Lilibet, with both new door handles and locks fitted and working.

Sunday was a damp and overcast start to the day so I opted for some work inside Test Car 2, re-crimping and tidying the generator start battery cables and fitting a battery isolation switch.

Matt and Ross investigated Lilibet’s clutch that was in need of a bit of adjustment; the operating rods were cleaned, re-fitted and then adjusted.

Lilibet’s offside rear mudguard had vibrated loose, so was removed and the brackets cleaned before re-fitting with new locking washers.

Nick, helped by Charlie continued with the scraping and cleaning of the tank wagon 3711

The last job for the weekend on Lilibet was investigating the nearside door droplight that would not open. Removal of the door panel revealed why, the mechanism had been disconnected and a suitable wood prop inserted.

Matt fabricated a window attachment arm and operating mechanism slide using some spare scarab parts and a slice of drip-tray.

That’s all folks for this week, join us again next time to see how we get on with more work on Lilibet and the tank wagon.

All the best, Dave

Hello everyone! Following the excitement of our open day last week, we’ve had a quiet week with just Matt and I on site on Sunday. We carried on the sorting out from last week, and took delivery of yet another new arrival of Matt’s (Matt says Sorry Stu!). We started off however by unloading our site pick-up for wood recovered from the bonfire pile and stacking it neatly next to the dock.

We now present ‘Elizabeth‘, a diesel Scammell Scarab. You may have seen this one before as it has visited us on loan for Railways at Work and very recently at our open weekend. This arrival also takes the pressure off of Madge’s looming restoration as we’ll still have something to move trailers around with.

With Elizabeth having touched down (again), she was very quickly put to work moving the 3 trailers back into our compound ready for the railway’s bonfire. We also used one of the trailers to pick up some more wood from the bonfire pile which is the perfect size for wagon floor and bodyside planks.

Next week, we’ll be back to normality and drawing up our plans for winter work.

So we have made it through our open weekend, unfortunately a few last minute issues meant we had to alter what was on display and a goods train was unable to run.

So preparations continued and Monday I was on site moving some of our demonstration loads.

Madge’s box trailer was filled with parcels from “theatrical van one”, also known as B852838 to give options for possible variations for display.

This was followed by the sorting of the shop supplies, moving from our vehicle used as a dumping ground AKA B850498. Into the former loco shed shop now our Palshock.

This was followed by parking the trailers ready for the weekend and an excuse for some images and yes, Madge has had a little accident although we are calling it a more prototypical feature.

I also applied some logos to the chargers on the Tug support trolley, this is to identify which charger is for what vehicle.

Back at home, Wilbur was fitted with a new heater control valve, the last one sprang a leak during testing last weekend.

I did have an assistant but they weren’t particularly hands on.

Next was to update the depot allocation, originally we allocated him to Loughborough Central Parcels Department. Now we are more appropriate;

On to Wednesday and a day of shunting. First preparing Quorn, moving Test Car and associated vehicles in to the North reception. This was a joint effort between ourselves, Carriage and Wagon, with D4067 and the Ops department with 37714.

This was followed by a trip to Swithland Sidings to assemble the wagons for display and returning to Quorn behind Standard 2 78018.

My mode of transport to Quorn was none other than Wilbur, and in preparation for the weekend we moved a few vehicles in to the marquee.

Preparations continued Thursday, with filler pieces manufactured for the stairs to allow easier access into the test car.

We also set up the Marquee for our selves and visiting groups stalls and information stands.

Then a delivery from our good friend James Littlewood who has loaned us his Diesel Scarab for the weekend.

As well as some time to add a second coat to the Red Star Brute and the beginning of the final detailing.

On to Friday, and despite the rain, we continued with preparations.
Dave and Richard preparing and positioning our information displays.

With a gap in the weather, we loaded the BRUTEs from the box trailer

Once loaded I completed the painting of the BRUTEs, adding those all important details.

Followed by a touch of tidying of the yard and positioning vehicles in our 1960s yard scene.

Saturday morning thankfully the rain cleared as we made final preparations for the start of the weekend.

We welcomed the following groups :-
DCRT “Windcutter” Group, Bluebell Railway Wagon Group, National Wagon Preservation Group, Mid Hants Railway Wagon Group, Nene Valley Wagon Group and the Heavy Tractor Group.
Jerry, Danny and the L70 were on display along with Andy Everetts Leyland/DAF Roadrunner Emergency Response Vehicle, and Barry Littlewood brought his Austin Van and E-Type Jaguar.

Saturday evening we treated our guests to fish and chips and even made time for a spot of wagon loading.

It was really great to welcome so many visitors over the weekend and thank you to all who attended, participated, donated and purchased. We enjoyed ourselves and we hope those of you that attended did also.

As we look forward to our Open Weekend next week, the team have been busy making preparations as well as an opportunity to relax a little before a full on week of further prep.

We started by re-arranging some of the theatrical van contents to ensure things were in the right place for our event, and make better use of space, with a 4th theatrical van now available.

Matt & Ross then headed to Lincoln to attend Wilbur, topping up the essentials and fitting a new fan belt followed by the customary test drive to free up any sticky or stiff items.

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Myself and Richard concentrated on getting Test Car 2 ready, tidying, cleaning and ensuring things are all ready to receive visitors next weekend.

Ross and Matt then attended a Timeline events photo charter at East Kirkby, both suitably attired as RAF ground crew, however it would have been remiss to leave Jerry out. So Jerry got to meet Jane.

Sunday, Jerry visited the Chasewater Coal train day.

Richard, Ross and Matt enjoying the day behind a selection of industrial traction. The guys extend their thanks to all at Chasewater for making them feel welcome.

Jerry apologies for his pretend “Coal sector manager”

All that is left to be said is come and see us next week.

We have tanks, opens, vans, amongst others on display, as well as the Heavy Tractor Group and West Hill Wagon works supporting us. With a 1960s goods yard and 1980s freight test scene too see, Test Car 2 open. Our road vehicles as well as some others setting the atmosphere.
With the real ale bar open, if you like wagons it may be of interest to you.

Hello and weclcome to another QWW update. This week, we’ve had the first batch of overhauled buffers back from Crowle Wharf Engineering, which means only one thing…

This week, we’ve been changing/refitting the buffers on the van train. Between us we’ve got 16 out of the 17 vans back in traffic and the last movable. All ahead of the upcoming Bonfire Night.

We’ve also made more progress with the BRUTEs. I replaced the melted part of the stick welder and got to work sticking the BRUTEs back together, welding up cracks and re-attaching mesh. I quite enjoyed it and look forward to doing more welding in the future. Matt and Richard got to work with the paint brushes, first painting the ‘finished’ one, then moving onto the ones I was welding back together. We now have two more blue BRUTEs and one red one, courtesy of Richard, Matt and on Sunday Owen.

In other news, we’ve been making a headboard! Matt sent me the letters as files, and during the week I extruded them in CAD software and then set about 3D printing the letters and the crests. Matt has done the rest fo the work, cutting out the wood, priming in and sticking each letter down.

Another thing Matt has done this weekend was a commission for our friends at Chasewater.

That brings us to the close this weekend. Its been a variety filled weekend, we’re all obviously pleased as punch that most of the van train is back in action. Matt, Nick and I won’t be on site next weekend, so Dave might update if he’s there. See you then!

Hello everyone and welcome to another update from Quorn. This week our road vehicle progress continues, and the van train finishes off its annual exam.

The wagon fairies have been in this week and stripped the paint off of 2 and a half BRUTEs, which means the these are now ready for welding up and new paint, with Dave finishing the other half.

Matt started by taking the trolley that he and I modified last week, striping it a apart and applying primer to all the upper surfaces.

Dave then selected one of the stripped BRUTEs to start with the welder. While Dave started with the baby MIG set, I got the stick wleder and the other MIG to see what would be required to get them working. The stick welder needed some new cable crimps and the MIG just needed a bit of fettling.

Once the primer was dry, Matt then got the black paint out to paint the floor and chassis of the trolley followed by the Yellow for the body work. The chargers also got a coat of yellow as well.

Dave was having issues with weld peneration so switched to the other MIG set that I’d repaired. This only partially resolved matters, so we’ll have to see what else we can do to improve our welding.

We lined up the yellow vehicles just behind the gate for a small part of BR at the railway’s Autumn Steam Gala.

Nick arrived early on Sunday to get a good start on the inspection of the van train. Some vacuum bags also required replacement, so these got replaced as and when Nick came across them.

Matt finished the ‘Tug Support Trailer’ with a bit of signwriting and stencilling.

I carried on the welding of the BRUTE, opting to use the generator in the Test Car to provide the power, which improved the welds a small amount. I did however run out of gas, which was probably the main reason we had weld issues. I then moved to the stick welder, which went well until the part of the electrode holder melted, so welding had to stop.

I tidied every thing I’d used away, and joined Matt in priming a BRUTE, taking one each. Nick retrieved 2 buffers from our store to put on the Shochood B, which has 2 buffers failed on its annual exam.

That just about finishes us up for this week, I’ll sign off with a remind about our Open Weekend on the 22nd-23rd of October. Come and see us and find out about some of our wagons, with visiting wagon groups and the Test Car will be open. Thanks for reading and see you around!

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 dropped 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 snuck 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.

Welcome to this week’s update from the Autumn Diesel Running and Quorn Swapmeet Weekend; joining the event was Iris, a single unit Derby Lightweight DMU that spent many years with the Research Division of BR as RDB975010, so will undoubtedly have rubbed shoulders with our Test Car 2 whilst working out of the Railway Technical Centre in Derby during the 1980s and 90s.

Another busy weekend for Nick, Matt, Ross and myself we have made good progress with work on Hector, two Vans & our new arrival.

Hector‘s steering wheel was smartened up with a replacement for the missing centre boss which I had 3d-printed using Matt’s drawing of the Lancing emblem as a template. A revised tow hitch arrangement was fabricated and fitted slightly lower to allow us to haul the Brute trolleys.

Hector has also received some more attention to tidy-up his wiring and had a cab interior front panel made and fitted. New brake pipes were flared and fitted, although some work is still needed to bleed and get the rear ones working properly. Matt was keen to show off his working flashing roof beacon.

Danny, Hector and the Brush Electric Vehicles have become very useful for transporting tools, equipment and us around the site; however the stone chippings that were spread over the yard at Quorn earlier in the year sometimes pose a challenge causing the single front drive wheel of the BEVs to loose traction and quickly become stuck in the deeper chipping ruts. On this occasion Danny came to the rescue.

The main announcement this week is the arrival of what is our eighth tank wagon; 5209 is a Norbrit Pickering 1964 built TSV 24T capacity Class A tank purchased from the Nottingham Heritage Railway who had used it as a water carrier.

The wagon fairies getting to work quickly to give the tank a clean-up so we could inspect and decide what, if any work was required to allow it to be moved safely.

The initial inspection went quite well however all four buffers were not good, three had loose heads and one was stuck compressed in.

The first task therefore was to remove all four buffers and fit serviceable ones.

Once the vacuum hoses on both ends of the wagon had been replaced, a brake system test was carried out using the vacuum rig and test gauges .

Although we could get the brakes to apply, the operation was not consistent and there were a few leaks. The DA valve was by-passed and branch-pipe hoses tightened to try and eliminate the problem, but it became clear than a full system overhaul will be required at some point.

After inspecting inside the tank we found that it was over half full of clean water, so with the wagon positioned alongside a yard drain, we set about trying to empty this out. Despite the use of a very large bar we were unable to shift either of the drain valves, which is probably why the tank had not been drained prior to transportation.

One of the valves therefore had to be removed, which got the water flowing.

It took some 25 minutes to drain the tank.

Work also continued with the two vans roof recovering. A coat of quick drying sealer/primer was applied followed by a coat of Bitumen paint to both 765272 and 786348.

The completion of the roof work on both 765272 and 786348 means these are now finished and looking a great deal smarter.

Matt has also been giving a couple of BR (M) lamps a spruce-up for a friend.

We then got out the pressure washer and made a start on the Hurst Nelson tank 3711 that has been patiently awaiting our attention for some time.

Although we were making good progress removing many years of grime, Ross found some snow-foam which has helped really clean up the west side of the tank nicely.

So to sum-up the weekend: Smart Vans and Lamps, Clean & Empty Tanks, and a happy Hector.

Join us again next week for (hopefully) some news of an upcoming event.
All the best, Dave

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.

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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.