Category: Updates

  • 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.

     

     

    [wpvideo SNR7zkkf]

    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.

    wp-15498212111856965689911934894917.jpg

    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

    20190203_101331

    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

    20190203_125131

    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.

    20190119_151650

    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.

    wp-15474106593667014501982419022618.jpg

    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.

    wp-15474106585381053432687377837915.jpg

    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!

  • 06/01/19 – Hoodwinked

    06/01/19 – Hoodwinked

    Hello everyone, and welcome to another update from Quorn Wagon & Wagon.  This weekend started with Nick, Jake and I continuing to manufacture the sheet hoops for the reversal of the Dace conversion. Unfortunately, Matt had to work, but popped in after his shift had finished.

    On Monday,  Nick and Matt had manufactured the upright sections of the sheet hoops, which only left the horizontal sections which Nick and I manufactured and fitted today. The steel tubes we had rescued were in 11ft sections with a foot on one end. The foot was cut off with the angle grinder, and the end dressed. To join the bars, Nick had found some surplus steel pipe at Rothley to act as an internal sleeve. These sleeves were cut to length and ‘gently’ persuaded into the hoop tubes. We decided we should bolt the sleeves together to prevent the internal sleeves sliding into the outer hoop tube when assembled.

    Whilst Nick and I were playing with hoops, Jake continued priming the chassis of the Medfit.

    20190106_123016

    Once completed he assisted Nick and me with fitting horizontals to the hoops irons. Before lunch, the top hoop was assembled and fitted to the wagon. Jake had to go to fill his face at a friend’s birthday party, and Nick and I went to assist the Ops Team/Carriage & Wagon by removing a TSO requiring repairs from the passenger train using Rothley’s resident Class 10.

    Upon returning, we continued assembling the two side hoops. Matt arrived while the last joint was sliding together on the final hoop. We had a swift cup of tea and set about positioning the hoops as they would be under the sheet ready for Matt, Nick, and Jake to finalise and fix the positions tomorrow. Matt will continue the report tomorrow as I have to pilot a misbehaving car back home.

    On to Sunday and Jake moved back to the Palbrick, clearing out and tidying the drag boxes.  These were full of rust, moss and detritus.

    Nick and I (Matt) continued with the Shookhood hood bars.  Looking at images of this type of vehicle from the 60s and 70s it’s clear their long length posed a few issues. Many are not level and a fair few are sagging in the middle.  As this vehicle is for demonstration purposes we have taken the decision to support the bars at strategic locations to maintain the level and prevent sagging once the hood is fitted. The supports were bolted to the steel floor.

    Once the sheet has been made and fitted these supports will no longer be seen and as the vehicle travels the railway the bars will remain in a fixed location.

    Any protruding item that would risk rubbing and wearing down the sheet was trimmed, and the all-important measurements were taken to have the fitted hood manufactured.

    Ordering the sheet is my task for the week and by next weekend hopefully that order will have been placed.  we shall see what next weekend brings……………….

  • 02/01/19 – End of Year Review

    02/01/19 – End of Year Review

    The final day of 2018 and a visit to the Rail Innovation and Development Centre Melton.  More commonly known as the Old Dalby Test Track.  Those who have read our profiles will know this is where I work, So for me New Years eve was a day working,  for the rest of the team a tour and a run down the test track.
    2 full line trips buffer stop to buffer stop were made. One in 08 892 and the other in 47 714. 52 miles in total.

    On to New Years day and work continues on the Shockhood B. Advantage was taken of the extremely good weather with Jake priming the wooden batons made by Ross and exposed frame of the Medfit.

    Nick and I started the tarpauling bars for the Shockhood.  There were quite a few complicated bends, it was all figured out and after the sun had set both ends of the vehicle had received the end bars bent and ready to be linked.

    On to the review of the past year.  Having focused on the Brakevans these took a lot of our time so the vehicle total this year is lower, the numbers are as follows:

    4 doors
    2 re-roofs
    3 re-floors
    7 exterior repaints
    3 interior repaints
    5 seats reupholstered
    2 new vehicles
    1 Transit van starter motor
    23 new windows

    To finish I have written a poem, I hope you enjoy it.

    We started the year by re-wheeling a Shockvan
    A sheet was fitted to a wagon at Swithland

    Dummy shock gear was the focus of the day
    Until warmer weather when the fish came to play

    From white to blue it looked ice cool
    The first of three brake vans, they were cruel

    A shock van stripped of all but its doors
    A Midland box van we found its numbers

    An LMS Brakevan with 18 foot boards
    It received new upholstery, a new one for us

    A starter motor for a van but not one on rails
    The end of steam came but thankfully failed

    A work week in August and another brakevan fell apart
    That visit from Robert that pulled at the heart

    Despite the heat we focused on a stove
    Rebuilt the third brake, even got the doors to close

    It was time for some flats one from a Scottish works
    The other received a tank it could have been worse,

    A trip down to Gloucestershire to see Mr Stone
    Plenty of wagons were wanted but none came home.

    The war came to an end and a fire was lit
    A wagon arrived it was a Palbrick

    We ended our year with oil and pads
    Thanks to all our supporters Happy New year from the lads.

     

  • 30/12/18 – Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

    30/12/18 – Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

    Seasons greetings and our last post for 2018 and despite the festive season, Winter Maintenance continues:
    Axle Boxes, Pad Exams, Brake rigging inspections, and oiling, all vehicles in traffic have been attended to apart from those on the Mountsorrel Branch, as these were carried out by C&W Staff from Rothley earlier in the year. There are also 2 vehicles in the Dock at Swithland requiring Pad exams as the East side is currently inaccessible.
    Maintenance took us until Wednesday spread between Swithland Sidings and Quorn.

    Thursday attention turned back to the newly arrived Palbrick, The frames and the toolbox, which it arrived with, were sprayed with a Baking Soda mix to try and neutralize the rock salt that had been stored on the vehicle. This was worked in and a second application on Friday. So far things are looking good.  Nick also took some time to remove rust from the deck of the Sturgeon.

    Saturday and the Medfit received attention. It’s floor was no longer fit for this world so it was fully removed. The steelwork will require a few remedial actions before a replacement is fitted.

    As well as the Medfit our project to revert the Dace back into a Shockhood B has begun. The deck has been cleaned of Moss and Rust, as well as the space between the frame and body. Sunday and manufacturing the Hoop mounts was on the cards.
    Using the original mounting holes, mounting plates and a cover plate were manufactured.  These were installed at both ends and are ready for the hoops to be manufactured.

    Whilst these were being installed Ross began creating the wooden batons that run each side of the body,  under each lip.  This is made of 4 parts and is there to prevent damage to the sheet which will be fitted.20181230_125605

    We will be posting an end of year review on Tuesday and this will also include our exploits planned for New Years Eve as we visit another Railway.

  • 23/12/18 – Wonderful weather… for shark spanners!

    23/12/18 – Wonderful weather… for shark spanners!

    Welcome to another update from us lot at Quorn. This weekend has seen routine maintenance take place to the running fleet.

    We keep records of the work carried out to our vehicles, and perusing these records showed us that the all vehicles are due a routine pad exam. Whilst undertaking the pad exam we also take the opportunity to oil up any pivot points in the brake rigging, so that whatever brakes are fitted remain operational. On both Saturday and Sunday, we worked on the vehicles stored in Swithland Sidings.

    On Saturday, we performed pad exams on the van train. This also included the LMS brake van which is currently running on the south end of the rake.

     

    After we’d done the pad exams, we rattled down the van train oiling the brake rigging and oiling any screw couplings. This also included the B954268, which was stabled next to the van train on the south end of the mineral rake.

     

    Sunday saw some of the currently disbanded Mixed Freight, and a Rudd, get the same treatment as the van train. We also corrected a failed attempt to fit the Bogie Bolster D with a new vacuum hose, on its south end. This had been secured to the wagon with Gaffer tape, instead of using a hose clamp suitable for the diameter of the hose. Had this been brought to our attention and the consumable parts supplied, we would have happily fitted the hose. Hopefully, the rectification of this should see the vehicle back in the mixed freight. Matt also fitted a sign to the interior of B954268 which is the final detail in this brake van.

     

    We began oiling once these small jobs were complete. Today, we have oiled the tank wagons  (3436, 6581 and 998926), some of the open wagons (E281882, E301588, B385782, B425356, B550356, B721587, B724570, B732357 & B740654) and some of the Departmental fleet (DB972018 and DB928135). Not all of these vehicles have plain bearings, which means some of these had their rigging oiled only.

    Tomorrow, see us back at Swithland completing the open fleet, and starting pad exams at Quorn! Thanks for reading!