Category: Updates

  • 17/03/19 -“You only paint them”

    17/03/19 -“You only paint them”

    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.Untitled-1
    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.20190317_095652.jpg

    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.20190317_154646

    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.20190317_155605

     

     

  • 11/03/2019 – Framed again

    Good morning everyone, and welcome to another update from Quorn Wagon and Wagon.  This weekend, we have continued to work on the LMS box van.  At the end of last week, we had stripped the side from the van and removed the door frame for patterns.

    On Saturday morning we took delivery of the new side planks for the van from Harlows timber merchants. These planks have been pressure treated, so should stand up to the beating the weather throws at the body sides. We also took delivery of a new sliding door frame, ably carried by Matt and Nick.

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    So the day begins, we began by building up the door frame with all the bits of steel framework to enable the door to be refitted to the van. Taking advantage of the good weather, Matt and Nick set up shop on the dock. Before mounting anything to the frame, areas where things were to be mounted had a generous coating of wood primer. A tea was consumed to allow the paint to dry a little bit, and then the top and bottom angle irons were fitted.

    Then the side frame was added, which governed the placing of the rollers at the top of the door, and the corner reinforcing pieces at the bottom.

    What was I doing whilst Matt and Nick were readying the door? I was repairing some other doors, as fitted to another Transit van. I replaced locks on the load space doors, and then sat in the warmth of TC2 and repaired the rear door wiring loom. Once I’d fixed the central locking, I assisted Matt and Nick with the rehanging of the sliding door. We’d managed to slide the door on, but some adjustment was required to allow the door its full range of movement. Last thing to fit to the door was the latch.

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    Just before hometime on Saturday,  Matt painted the door frame and rebates in wood primer and part of the side ‘fell’ in.

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    On to Sunday. Before I had got there, Matt and Nick (in between perusing the Swapmeet) had fitted the south side planks. Both end required a filling strip, at the top of the cladding, which I set myself up in the GUV to make. These were slid in, and then a team of Dave, Jake, Matt and Nick set about bolting the side planks and internal cladding to the van side. Whilst they did that, I cut out the plywood back piece for the sliding door. The vertical front planks screw to this backing wood, so this task readies us for next week.  Nick, using the angle grinder, cut off the end of the bolts that were considered too long, whilst I was inside screwing the backing boards to the door frame. Now the sides are in its a bit dark in there! Jake finished the door off by painting the front face of the plywood in wood primer.

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    Next week, the door planks will be added and the side planks painted with wood primer (weather dependent). Then onto the other side!

    Thanks for reading!

  • 03/03/19 – Business as usual

    As the title suggests we have returned to what we can only describe as our usual business. M500954, the LMS boxvan, is our next project.  The first task was to measure the vehicle so accurate replacement planks can be ordered.

     

    With measurements taken attention turned to the east side of the vehicle.  The door was removed, this basically fell off as it was quite rotten. My job being to dismantle it, salvage the steel fittings and as much wood as possible.

     

    Although the frame remains most of this will require replacement but it is being retained for templating.  Nick, Ross and Jake removed the bolts from the side planks and dismantled the inner and outer skins.

     

    All of the metal components removed from the door and an L angle from the frame were scraped down, cleaned up and red oxide applied.

     

    The last job for Saturday was to red oxide the frame were the L angle mentioned above lives.  This angle tightens the gap between frame and door when it is closed, a metallic draft excluder if you will.  Straight on to Sunday and with both frame and L angle dried they were bolted back together.

     

    Sunday morning was spent at Loughborough.  With preparations for unifying the GCR with its Northern counterpart, a number of grounded vans are requiring to be removed.  We have earmarked a number for possible future use but our trip was to collect spares that could be more useful in the short term. We have also looked at the viability of the Containers so expect further news on these.

     

    Back to Quorn and we were happy to have a further visit from Dave Bower.  We have some exciting ideas for Test Car 2 which we will shed light on in future updates.

    Jake returned to work on M500954 and applied red oxide to the back of all of the now exposed metal work.  Ross took a look at the Slip Working headlight whilst I looked at the possibility of manufacturing chalkboard brackets.  I am happy with the result.

     

    This week we shall be placing orders for wood and hopefully delivery will be in time for next weekends activities, we, as always shall keep you up to date.

  • 24/02/2019 – Getting Ready…

    Welcome to another weekend update from the team in Quorn, featuring some unseasonably warm weather! This weekend we have started to come back to normality, back in our pen in the south yard at Quorn. During the week Test Car 2 and the CCT were stabled back in the Up Reception South (thanks to the Ops team), with the Yellow Coach being taken to Rothley for its much-needed bodywork repairs, courtesy of Jamie and Pat at Rothley (Thanks in advance guys!). More on that will be covered in later updates.

    This weekend has seen us get ready for the coming year, with stuff being tidied and shifted around (yet again!). Having the CCT delivered has meant that we could empty the ex-Windcutter Group stores van, M500954, as well as move some items from the GUV.  The LMS van begins its journey through a reclad and repaint for it to join the van train. The intention is to refit the vacuum to this vehicle, which we are beginning to sort out components for.

    As the CCT is no longer being retained for as the fire van, we carefully removed the IBC cubes and relocated the firefighting equipment to one end of the van. This allowed us to transfer all items from the LMS box van into the CCT. Once all items had been removed, Jake started taking down the internal racking, which has been retained for redeployment; after all, we can’t let things go to waste!

    I assisted Jake with this, once I had replaced the front bumper of my car, which had sustained some damage from a Muntjac deer one Saturday evening last winter.

    Also on Saturday, as part of some fireman training, the box van train had several trips, which saw the use of the Southern brake van, which was also removed from the South Yard during the week.

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    Sunday morning rolls around, and with it bring us a special guest! We were pleased to reunite Dave Bower with Test Car 2. Dave used to work TC2, among other vehicles, during his time working for British Rail Department of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering from 1983 to 1994, and then for Serco until 2008. In this time Dave was involved with over 700 tests on new build vehicles as part of their acceptance to the network or investigating modifications to existing vehicles. Dave has also written a fantastic book, Rail Vehicle Testing (link on our Links page), which details the tests of which he was a part of,  why vehicles were tested, and information about the Test Cars among other subjects. Dave was able to show us how the coach worked, and some finer details of its conversion (including any questions we had) and told us a few stories of his time working the coach. Thanks for coming along Dave, and we hope you had a good day; as we certainly did!

    Other tasks undertaken today included reuniting parts of the tank with the tank, and finding and cleaning a fridge to use in TC2 whilst the Yellow Coach is away.

    Next weekend, we plan on starting to strip down the dock side of the LMS van in readiness for its reclad; and we shall continue to tinker with Test Car 2. Thanks for reading!

  • 17/02/19 – A Buckeye? That’s not a wagon coupling, how does that go on……

    This week on Tuesday and Wednesday a number of our vehicles were used during a Timeline Events charter.  As usual, I was on site reenacting with Jack, but this time we were also joined by Ross.  If you have ever wondered what happens to van sides that have been removed? We repurpose them and this week the VEA door skins removed in 2017 became a headboard for Standard 5 73156.  The original was carried by the engine in 1959.

    On to the weekend and our vacuum adventures with Test Car 2 continue,  with the performance of the 15″ cylinder below par the decision was taken last weekend to replace it.  With the vehicle being made available for possible future use in passenger rakes the reduced braking provided by the reduced size cylinder could be detrimental to the braking of a train.  First, we dropped into Quorn to pick up one of our spare 21″ cylinders.  This was refurbished some time ago but not fully assembled whilst it awaited a purpose.  It originally came from one of our Dogfish hoppers and had been attacked by the tin worm.  The Cylinder dome was repaired by the locomotive department some years ago.20190216_092253

    On arrival at Rothley the first task was to remove the 15″ cylinder.

    With the cylinder removed, we had to modify a support bracket for the ETH through wire as this will be foul of a 21″ cylinder.  The clamp blocks were fully removed, the outer block was reduced to top and bottom radiuses and the inner block was cut down and the lower corner removed.

    Whilst Ross and I removed the 15, Nick and Jake assembled the 21. This included applying red oxide to the areas that will be out of reach when the cylinder is fitted.  The inside was hovered, a new seal fitted and cylinder bolted up.  The repairs previously carried out are clearly visible.

    With the cylinder assembled, it was time to fit it to the vehicle.  The trunion supports were replaced with standard brackets recovered from long lost coaches and the cylinder lifted into position.  The cylinder was connected to the brake cross shaft, release valve fitted and clearances checked.

    Once complete Jake took the time to red oxide the rest of the cylinder but not before the all-important vacuum test.  20inHg was reached and the cylinder operated a number of times before the vacuum was destroyed.  10 minutes came and past and the brake was still applied after 3 hours and deemed a success.20190216_163138

    Next task was to replace the draw hook at the generator end.  When converted to a test car in 1974 the original draw hook with buckeye attachment was removed and replaced with that from a 20T Brake van.  This included a narrowing of the headstock slot which luckily was only a plate bolted into the original.

    Taken from another long since lost vehicle a full set of coach drawhook springs drawbar and draw-hook was retrieved from storage. Ross had the arduous task of undoing the mounting nut 1/8th of a turn at a time.  Once free the assembly was removed along with the headstock plate.

    A ware plate was fitted, the spring pack then assembled and fitted and the recovered draw bar and hook was also fitted,  All four members of the team were required with some interesting contortions of people around the axles, bogie and pipework of the coach.

    On to Sunday and again a quick visit to Quorn. This time to pick up a buckeye.  On arrival at Rothley the split pin to secure the draw hook was fitted.  Unfortunately, airlines were in the way but a quick modification to the support brackets and clearance was attained.

    Next job was the laborious task of screwing up the drawbar nut because of the bogie this was done 1/4 turn at a time.  Once tight the split pin was fitted.

    With the draw hook assembly complete next was the “simple” task of hanging the buckeye.  This required a few burs dressing and once in place, the support pin was driven home and once again a split pin fitted.

    When we dropped the buckeye however some minor alterations had to be carried out.  The buckeye came into contact with the main reservoir cock.  This was removed and then the support plate was foul.  A little alteration and the cock and support plate were clear.

    Back in the service position the release chain and support pin chain were fitted and the release tested.  A little lubrication and the wear limit was checked and the buckeye passed fit for use.

    The last item was to replace the internal arrangement drawing which I had created in the week and marks the start of the internal tidy and the task of replacing the faded signage. The new one may give a clue to the livery we are looking at applying.20190216_102639

    Hopefully, we will be back to normal next weekend or at least we will be back at Quorn.

     

     

     

  • 10/02/2019 – QXA to QXX

    Welcome to this weekend’s update from Quorn Wagon and Wagon’s Rothley outpost. We have again been working on Test Car 2, in preparation for its move to Quorn as our temporary base.

    Work this week has concentrated around the vehicle’s vacuum system. Last week, we were able to prove that the vacuum pipe was intact as a throughpipe. We started off by digging out some spare Direct Admission (D.A) Valves and sections of specially shaped pipework out of the van train from storage. This pipework fits into the tee joint from the main vacuum train pipe and drops them down to the D.A valve bracket next to the Vacuum Cylinder.

     

    Firstly, We removed the bungs from the tee pieces in the train pipe and connected the first section of downpipe to the Crane coupler.

     

     

    One end had a frame fitted to carry a DOPLAR speed measuring system whilst it was based at the Old Dalby Test Track. Matt set about removing that frame whilst Nick and I trial fitted the down pipes to see where the bracket would sit. This would also show us modifications we’d have to make to the pipework to be able to fit with appropriate clearance for all components in the area.

     

     

    Both ends required no modification to the down pipe, but both had to have the mid section and final sections altered to allow for best positioning on the coach.

     

     

    The electric pipe threader made light work or altering the pipes and by the end of Saturday we had managed to effect a brake application on the North end of the coach.

     

     

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    We found that whilst the brake applied satisfactorily (first time since 1991) they would leak off after 5 minutes. we cleaned and exercise the release valve on the cylinder. This resulted in the cylinder holding for 3 hours, after which we lost interest. Our attention then move to the south end brake cylinder.

    The south end of the vehicle is fitted with reduced diameter cylinders on both the vacuum and the air braking system.  This means that the vehicle has a reduced brake force reducing the risk of the wheelsets locking up as this end was fitted with tacho counters for distance measuring during tests. We found that the brake cylinder again applied well, but released after only 1 minute. Initially, we suspected the release valve, so changed that for a spare. this did not rectify the issue, so we then replace the DA valve. This hasn’t rectified the issue, so no the cylinder is suspected. This will be replaced in due course. Matt remains confident in the air brakes of the coach, after its final movement to the loading pad on the Test Track.

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    Work didn’t just take place on the brakes. Matt has trimmed the buckeye chain guide to allow the Brake Pipe cock on the air system to latch shut. I reinforced the door frame around the lock I fitted last week. I also noticed whilst underneath the vehicle that the return spring for the south brake rigging had come adrift and was not in place. A spare was found and Matt wedged himself into the bogie and fitted it. The train lighting jumper blanking cover was found in the guards area, so Matt refitted it to the North end from whence it came.

     

     

    Thanks for reading this update, join us next week, when the saga of the vacuum cylinder continues!

  • 3/2/19 – Testing times ahead

    3/2/19 – Testing times ahead

    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.20190202_171223

    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.20190202_173213

    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

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    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

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    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.

     

     

  • 27/01/2019 – “I’m Postman Matt and no, I don’t have a cat!”

    Hello everyone, and welcome to another weekly update from Quorn Wagon and Wagon.

    This weekend has seen the railway host the annual Winter Steam Gala, with the van train running and the mixed freight making a welcome reappearance. We were also staffing the demonstration Travelling Post Office train, performing ground duties in the mornings and staffing the train for the afternoon run.

    Most importantly though, we fitted the sheet to the Shochood B, which makes us the proud owners of the only Shochood B in preservation! Matt collected the sheet on Friday. We have fitted it temporarily, as the best place to store a sheet is in place on the wagon. The sheet will be removed before painting. As the fitment is temporary, we’ve used cable ties to attach the sheet to the wagon. We discovered when putting the sheet in position, that one of the bars was able to jump off its prop, leaving a sharp pole. Nick and I went around inside the wagon and used some steel strapping to prevent the poles lifting off the poles.

    Matt has put some effort in and put himself together a GPO uniform to play the part of a postman from the 1960s. He also borrowed a post bike from the station to complete his image. On the TPO, Matt and I did some work to free of the letter flaps, as fitted to Postal Sorting carriages.

    Thanks for reading this small update, and join us next week for another!

  • 20/01/19. Shochood B, Aesthetically

    Another weekend and January is rapidly passing.  Work continues on the Shochood B and this should be the last update with a hoodless vehicle.  In preparation for the hood fitment, the missing loops for attaching said hood have been fitted.  These were manufactured by Jamie and Pat from Rothley C&W and our thanks go to them for helping with this project.
    As we do not have the capacity to weld, the side hoop was manufactured from threaded bar this allowed it to be bolted in position.  The end hoop was fitted to a mounting plate which was again bolted in position.

    Once these were fitted Nick and Jake turned to the ends.  Due to two large holes being drilled in each end this has allowed years of rust to accumulate.  This was removed and plates manufactured to fill the voids.  Again due to our welding inability theses plates were bolted in position and once better weather arrives will be filled.  Until then they have been redoxided along with the hoops fitted.

    My task and completing my personal mission to aesthetically create a Shoochood B, the end steps were both removed.

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    Saturday’s final task was to place the Palbricks toolbox back on the vehicle just to keep it out of the way until the vehicle’s future is fully decided.20190119_161913

    On to Sunday and the task to fit the capping wood.  This was positioned rebated and bolted into position.  Once bolted up Jake applied a coat of gloss.

    Apart from painting this completes the reversion.

    Next week should see the sheet fitted and of cause it is the GCR’s Winter Gala so TPO action for ourselves.

  • 13/01/2019 – Winters are for Westerns

    13/01/2019 – Winters are for Westerns

    Welcome to another update from your friendly wagon bashers at Quorn. We have again been busy reversing the Dace conversion on the Shochood B. With all four of us in attendance plenty has been achieved. During the week, Matt has placed an order for the sheet as fitted to these vehicles, so in 10 days from now Matt goes and picks the sheet up, and that next weekend we fit it. An exciting development!

    Saturday saw Nick and myself using our best carpentry skills to make more capping wood for the east side of the body. This wood prevents the sheet from being worn away by the edge of the angle iron at the top of the body. Once we’d cut and shaped these, Jake got the wood primer out to give them a coat. Jake also gave to capping wood made previously a coat of undercoat. We plan to get these ready to go back on the wagon with a few coats of gloss all over. This should help to protect the wood from rotting so quickly.

    Meanwhile, Matt had begun one of his personal missions; to reinstate the handles to the South West and North East corners of the body. During conversion, these handles were cut off and welded to the end to act as grab handles for the coal hopper style steps fitted during the Dace conversion. Matt began by cutting the handles off, and matching them to their positions on the body. As we have no welder, and an insufficient power supply (a 16A cable) to run one, we couldn’t reattach them with welds as was original. We’ve been somewhat creative and used bolts through the body to reattach the handles. This involved drilling through the nub of the handle left, the body skin, and a few partition slot guides. We also drilled and tapped holes into the handles to receive M12 bolts.

    Once Matt had finished fitting the handles, he finished the corrugated end by removing the nub of the handle and grinding it flush. Jake was then let loose with the red oxide primer to give it a coat before we begin painting in the better weather.

    Due to the weather at the start of Sunday, we began the day by tidying up and clearing out one of our storage cupboards in the Mess Coach. The first class toilet, long unused, had become a dumping ground for old Hi-Vis and various other items. This has been cleared out in anticipation of works to the coach.

    Matt continued his role as our resident Time Team expert by beginning to sand down the bodyside of the Shochood to find its regional allocation and if it had any branding.

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    The weather had cleared so Matt continued his handle relocation scheme. Nick, Jake and I started to remove the rust that has built up between the body and underframe. This has built up due to the shock capability being removed, thus the body not being allowed to shift, which would have broken up the rust.

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    Matt’s second personal mission of the weekend was to relocate the lamp brackets back to the body. This only leaves Matt one mission in our reversion of the Dace conversion; removal of the coal hopper style footsteps from the body end.

    That finishes this week’s installment of the quest to have the only Shochood B in ‘original’ condition in preservation. Join us next week for another (exciting?) installment!