Painting has occurred this weekend. Lots of painting. The main focus for this weekend has been, of course, Test Car 2. Last week, we got the Flame Red painted around the coach, which left the Rail Blue for this week. The Flame Red and the white lining had to be masked, so Matt, Jack and I popped down on Friday afternoon to mask off the red and white with masking tape and brown paper, ready for Saturday.
Saturday arrives, and to start with the Red and white overspray got a gentle key by Dave and Matt while I thinned down the blue paint ready for application. Jake was arriving slightly later, so I had to utilise a stand-in assistant.
I applied the first coat of blue, with Jake applying the 2nd coat all over. I then applied the 3rd coat over and around the gutters, and Jake finished the 3rd coat on the bottom of the coach.
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While Jake and I painted the Test Car, Dave, Nick and Matt continued work on the internal cladding of the Shocvan.
And then onto the exterior
After lunch, we unmasked the Test Car.
With the coach left with it’s paint drying in the sun/hot weather, Jake and I assisted with the van.
On Sunday, more painting took place. For Matt, the signwriting of the Test Car beckoned. For me, I got the spray gun out again and gave the Shocvan a coat of undercoat, and then in the afternoon, gloss. The gloss will need another coat next week, but it is a start.
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Next weekend will see another coat of gloss applied to the Shocvan, the headstocks and other details painted and the lining tidied up on the Test Car. Then we’ll have it all to do again on the other side! Join us next week for more Test Car adventures!
So we begin the same way we spent the week, looking at the weather forecast. With favorable conditions until 16:00 we went for it. Whilst Ross thinned down the paint in preparation for spraying Dave, Jake and myself prepared Test Car 2 for paint. Masking tape applied where required, this being 3/4″ thick correct for the lining. The white gloss that was left exposed was keyed and the resulting dust removed by tac cloth.
Once complete Ross started his task, the application of the BR Flame red. 3 Coats in total.
Whilst Ross and Jake took care of the external surfaces Dave continued with some tasks inside. Once complete the vehicle will be available for public display and we have had some interpretation boards made up to tell the story of Test Car 2 specifically and some details of the DM&EE Test Fleet in general. Dave added a board to the equipment rack that will be used to mount some of the displays.
Nick and myself turned to the Shocvan cleaning down and red oxiding were required and trimming down excess material.
This brought us to the exciting part of the proceedings, de-masking the Test Car. This is so there is no risk of the tape damaging the paintwork and when the blue goes on all of the Red will require masking so its a clean sheet to work with.
If you haven’t guessed by now we are applying the DM&EE livery carried from 1974 until the mid 1990s:With all that can be accomplished on the Test Car complete the whole team turned to the Shocvan. Measuring and cutting the new plywood sides.
These were then primed
And with everything then drying some final cleaning tasks in the Test Car and the removal of a few of the Vinyls on the other side.
On to Sunday and the test car has been left alone to cure and harden all attention turns to the Shocvan. The primed sides cut previously were lifted into place one by one. The large end sheets had recesses drilled for the rivets located in the vehicle ends.
The new ends replaced by the Locomotive department had holes marked and drilled.
Once all of the holes had been picked up the side sheets had sealant applied and they were bolted into position. Although a short part of the update, in reality, this was Sundays task in a nutshell.
Finally, Dave continued with the interpretation displays within the test car.
This concludes this update and we are all looking forward to applying the Rail blue to the test car, of cause the Shocvan also marks the final van in our collection for the van train although our aim is still 17.
Welcome to another update from Quorn. It has been a bit quieter for us this week as Nick was away camping, which left Matt and I on Saturday. Jake joined us on Sunday, with Nick coming to inspect on Sunday evening.
Due to the weather, Saturday was a small jobs day. Matt and I initially went to B&Q to get a few supplies such as fluorescent light tubes and round headed wood screws. We fitted a new light tube in the saloon of the coach, which had been broken during a jumper removal. Having the folded and painted the defect book holder in weeks previous, Matt sign wrote them in the comfort on the Test Car. Once sign written and dry, we fitted them to the BR van currently stopped due to wheel damage (B954268) and the LMS brake van, situated in the down lieby (M730562). Having sorted these vans out, we then journeyed to Swithland to fit the defect book holder to the Southern brake van (S56010). The 2 operational brakes have also been kitted with PCV first aid kits. We are planning to build some boxes for these, some they look more period appropriate.
After viewing our 3 most recently outshopped vehicles, we returned from Swithland. The weather dried up, so we started to mask the windows using a window film obtained from Toolstation. After much struggling and faffing the windows were masked. Doing the masking gave the the bodyside time to dry allowing us to continue filling the final few areas on the coach.
On to Sunday, and it the hope of getting paint on the coach. First though, a bit of light sanding and cleaning down. jake use the blowgun to get rid of the heavy areas of dust , and I used some tack cloths I had bought in the week that helped to remove the dust from the bodyside.
Then I painted.
and then painted some more.
Only issue being is that the weather, being British and changable, started to rain before I could to the lower line. However in a gap in the rain, I completed the lower line but not without some damage to the paint already applied.
Finally, the 2 lines were done.
That concludes this week’s work. Next week we are planning to continue with the repaint of the Test Car, with the next stage of the livery being applied. Thank for reading!
More mid-week work but not from me this time. Ross has been popping in of an evening pressing on with Test Car 2. First the removal of the stickers and vinyls on the dockside.
Once the lettering was removed, the task of preparing the bodywork for paint was started, Nick also joining in after work to assist and focused on the roof.
I was not idle in the week either having ordered and collected the paint for the vehicle. We also had a delivery of our next few projects. The 2 LNER Steel Highs E281882E280364, the iron ore tippler B385782 and back from the loco shed; our centre shock shocvan B854782 . This has had significant repairs to the two ends, our thanks once again to the loco department for their excellent work.
On to Saturday and work continues on preparing Test Car 2, Dave continuing the work started by Ross in the week.
Whilst Dave was sanding away the rest of the team returned one of the overhauled vacuum cylinders to its position under the center ShockvanOnce back in position all of our attention turned to the Test Car. Due to the poor condition of the inward opening door on the “A” End or the Slip End as its known the decision was taken to change it for another held in stock. This was trial fitted and due to some accurate measuring previously, fitted with no problems at all.
The door was removed so I could carry out my major task for the day. A set of edging strips were fitted either side of the Slip end doors when they were modified from outward opening to inward opening. Unfortunately, the weather has not been kind to these and the usual bulging due to rust had occurred. I removed the internal trimming and handrails before de-riveting the edging strips themselves.
Once cleaned up and straightened, red oxide was applied to all parts a wooden backing applied and the strip screwed back into place followed by refitting of the hand rail.
Whilst the new door was off Dave took the opportunity to sand it down.
Jake also assisted with some of the coach prep whilst Nick replaced the rotten step board.
The final task for Saturday to refit the new door and admire the prep carried out
On to Sunday and continuation of the body prep. Red Oxide being applied to areas requiring it and once dry the filling began. Dave and Nick also continued with some of the detailing, cleaning out window runners and prep around the end components. I also had another go at cleaning the windows in preparation for applying the window film as we will be spraying the vehicle. As part of our sanding down, we were able to see the layers of paint applied over the years, right down to the first application of maroon when the coach was built.
Unfortunately, the weather had other ideas and attention turned to dryer activities. Ross and Dave took the lead on giving the generator some TLC. With the water and oils checked, the battery charged it was coaxed into life.
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With it running smoothly, the leap was taken and for the first time since at least 2010 the shore supply was switched off in preference to the generator supply.
The compressor was then tested as well as the 240v supply all successful. The compressor was also connected to the main reservoir and charged.
The last task for the weekend was to vacuum test the shocvan and after 8 hour the brakes were still hard on and so deemed a success.
That concludes this weeks update and our hope is for better weather so progress can continue with Test Car 2
First an update on mid-week work, Matt has been on earlies and as usual been popping in after his shift. Tuesday he completed the signwriting by adding the wagon plates and completing the East side circuit marker on the Shockhood.
On Wednesday the finishing touches to the underframes of both vehicles were applied, drawing a conclusion to their repaints.
Apart from the end chains for the hood, the Shochood B is ready to return to traffic. The Medfit still requires a floor, but this should be dealt with at the weekend thus returning the wagon to traffic.
Thursday / Friday and something a little different, Matt has been helping the station with a project of theirs, turning a mobile toilet into something that doesn’t look so out of place in a “1940s Goods Yard”
On to Saturday and as mentioned above a Floor for the Medfit.
The planks were cut to length
Laid the entire length of the vehicle and marked up, 35 planks in all
Once marked up Jake had the task of drilling the holes and the planks were refitted and bolted into position.
Once complete Matt returned to the “Blue Caravan” whilst Nick and Jake manufactured label clip blocks, fitted them, as well as replacing the vacuum hoses.
On to Sunday, and with it the completion of the Medfit. Jake, Nick and Ollie finished the vehicle by painting the backs of the doors and ends with black bitumastic paint.
Whilst this was taking place, I was improving the security of the GUV by fitting an additional lock to the our access door. (No pictures of this of course) Matt had intended to continue working on the “Blue Caravan” but the rain put the kibosh on that until later in the day. Instead he amused himself by making the 9 defect book holders for all the brake vans on the railway. The brake vans have recently received defect books, so the holders will be a welcome addition. Having cut and bent the platework into shape, Matt the primed them and left them to dry.
With many hands, we also put back together the 18″ vacuum cylinder taken apart during Goods Galore, fitted a new sealing ring and rolling ring. We also took a cursory glance of a cylinder taken from the Shocvan currently in the shed at Loughborough. We know this had been overhauled recently, but erred on the side of caution and took it apart to inspect it. Finding nothing amiss, this was re-assembled and place back into store, to await the arrival of it’s van.
On to Monday, and Matt had stayed quite late on on Sunday to complete the signwriting of the “Blue Caravan”, so we looked upon the fruits of his work, whilst taking the time to remove the chalk from the now dried paint.
Monday hasn’t been a very productive day, due to shunting taking place in the south yard at Quorn. With no ‘new’ wagons received from Swithland, our attention turns to our temporary base, Test Car 2. This has been moved into the dock in place of our GUV, so that we can commence a small project to smarten it up, as requested by the railway. I won’t say what the Livery is, but it will be appropriate to the vehicle, and it has carried the livery before (which narrows it down to 3 in its Test Car guise). While Nick was sorting out few bits in Loughborough to progress another Cylinder overhaul, Matt and I set everything back up including steps to vehicles and shore supplies reconnected. We also tidied the Test Car and generally tidied around our area.
As the Medfit and Shochood are ready to depart, they have been shunted ready to move to Swithland, on the south end of the middle road at Quorn.
That finishes off the update this week. Next week we are plunged into war. Let’s see what we can get up to despite it!
As we reach the final stages for both the Shochood and the Medfit I took the opportunity in the week to tidy up and finish the shock stripes. In our haste to apply them last weekend, we applied the west side in the wrong position. This was no big problem and very quickly remedied. The stripes were widened and the excess then painted bauxite. Any tape bleed was also tidied and a Circuit marker circle applied.
As the weather was forecasted to be poor on Friday a small team of Nick, Jack and I re-sheeted the vehicle on Thursday and fitted the securing chains.
On to the weekend. I was crewing the Class 37 on passenger duties whilst Jake and Nick continued to scrape down the two vehicles. Bitumastic paint was also applied to the sole bar and headstocks of the Shochood. As well as a new label clip and block.
After my duties on the 37 were complete I began on the essay that is the Shochoods lettering.
The west side was completed sometime after the sun had set.
On to Sunday and more of the same for me. The East side of the Shochood and both sides of the Medfit.
Nick and Ross worked on the chassis of both vehicles. Completing the scrape down and spraying the rest of the underframe. Nick followed Ross with a brush touching in those areas missed by the spray.
I continued with the Signwriting as Nick and Ross looked at the finer details. Swan necks, axle end covers and any other areas that required touching up.
With the bulk of the body side lettering done I moved on to the sole bar details. Repair plates, vacuum stats and brake change over levers.
We are tentatively close to the completion of these two vehicles. A few last signwriting and paint items as well as a floor for the Medfit, with a 3 day weekend thrown into the mix all is looking good for them to re-join the fleet very soon.
Welcome to another update from Quorn Wagon and Wagon. This weekend has been Goods Galore, with our goods vehicles rattling up and down the line. This doesn’t stop us however, and we have had a very productive weekend. Not one, but two wagons were painted up into gloss! The weekend also marks the return the service of the LMS box van, which made its debut in the parcels rake.
Firstly Nick, Jake, Dave, Matt and Jack set about the Shochood B and the Medfit with Scrapers and wire brushes. Whilst this took place, I was inside the GUV preparing the paint and spray gun for the spraying session. Once I’d prepared everything, I went to assist RVP with connecting the LNER Gresley to the mains for display for the weekend.
Once scraped, Dave and I went round and painted any areas of bare metal and the tops of the wagons in red oxide primer.
It was then time for tea! Jake has now been with us for a whole year, so to celebrate he brought in a cake to share with us!
After tea was drunk and cake consumed, I began spraying the wagons in undercoat and then handed over to Jake for him to complete the rest of the Shochood and the all the Medfit.
While Jake was spraying, Dave and I started to make something I dreamt up. With the 2 compressors we now have (the Hydrovane and the one in TC2), I believe that we have sufficient capacity to run 2 spray guns at the same time. As such Jake could be painting one side, whilst I spray paint the other. For this I thought about making a manifold that can be hung from/mounted to the wagon so that we easily run a hose down either side of a vehicle. Dave and I ferreted around in the various boxes of fittings left in TC2 and managed to put something together where we can use any of the air hoses we have on site. This was put together and leak tested successfully.
To finish off the day, we removed 2 doors and a spare vacuum cylinder from storage and placed our spare brake van stove back into store in the van train. The 2 doors are destined for the Yellow Coach to be reinstated in the luggage area.
On to Sunday, with glossing being the main order of the day. Jake had to spend the day revising for his upcoming GCSEs, so I took the lead with the spray gun and got the Shochood and Medfit painted into gloss. A personal best was set for 2 wagons painted before tea at 11.00! Prior to spraying the Medfit, Mat and Nick fitted its Bodyside Chalk boards. Caption competition time?
With the wagons hardening off in the lovely warm sunshine, the team set upon the vacuum cylinder retrieved from the van train.
Once opened up, the cylinder was found to have surface rust on the bore, and the piston stuck in its halfway position. The cylinder has been stored on its dome for around 20 years, so this is a lesson in the correct way to store a vacuum cylinder (vacuum cylinders should be stored with the piston rod removed, the with bottom of the cylinder lowermost). As the cylinder was stored incorrected, the seal had been compressed into the bore and the piston, making it very difficult to remove the piston. Like the last cylinder, an application of penetrating fluid and a sledgehammer had the piston out. Matt began cleaning the piston and cylinder using a wire brush on the grinder.
I cleaned up the gland seal retaining bush and refixed it to the base of the cylinder.
Whilst cleaning the components of the cylinder, we were asked to assist with the turntable demonstration, where the turntable had got stuck. Matt lowered himself into the pit with our pinch bar to un-stick the turntable.
Out of the turntable pit, Matt, assisted by Jack, started to paint some of the details on the wagons, starting with the sheet hoops of the Shochood. Jack stayed on the floor and painted the chalkboards on both wagons.
With the paint again left to dry, we then went to Rothley to assist in removing 3 coaches from the train in preparation for their annual exams this coming week. In doing this, Matt became the last person to use the current Rothley ground frame before it gets removed this week, in the S&T work week.
Whilst at Rothley, we also looked upon progress on the Yellow Coach, with 2 new doors fitted at the south end of the vehicle, and 4 heater patches welded in, the coach is well on its way to recovery.
There is still a fair amount left to do on the coach, including the ends and a “new” set of double doors in the luggage area. Back to Quorn, and the paint had gone sufficiently hard for Matt to apply the shock stripes to the Shochood B.
The vehicles are nearly ready for traffic now, with the only thing left to do being to paint the underframes and apply the lettering. Thank for reading this weeks chock full update! Join us again next week where we will hopefully have the Shochood B and the Medfit completed!
500954 has left us to have its actuating arm welded at Rothley and will return to traffic as part of the Parcels rake at the upcoming Goods Galore gala before it joins the rest of the vans for future events.
On to this weekend and first a trip out to collect a Hydrovane Compressor kindly donated to us, this will be a great asset for the future and our thanks go out for this kind donation.
Due to the changeable weather, our attention has turned to the vacuum system of the Shockhood B. This had been isolated sometime ago and was picked up during our routine maintenance. The vehicle has an Empty / Loaded change over valve which once selected to the loaded position introduces an additional 15″ cylinder into the brake system as well as the standard 18″ cylinder. When we last looked at the vehicle we connected the 15″ Cylinder direct to the train pipe of the vehicle. After replacing the south end vacuum hose we carried out a brake test.
This performed unsatisfactorily even after the replacement of the release valve. We swapped the direct connection to the 18″ cylinder and again this did not meet with expectation.
The piston gland seal was replaced and again no change to its performance. So with a new release valve, gland seal and a missing nut replace from beneath the cylinder the issue must be internal.
With a plan formulated for Sunday, we removed the release valve from the 15″ cylinder as well as the now redundant pipe work.
The final job for Saturday was a spot of signwriting for Renaissance Railcars
On to Sunday and we dropped the 18″ cylinder from the Shockhood.
The cylinder was last overhauled in 1993 and its internal condition was remarkable only the seals were in very poor condition.
With the seals replaced the cylinder was reassembled and the top of the dome painted in bitumastic paint. Once it is refitted this area will be inaccessible. Once together the cylinder was refitted, plumed back in and a test carried out. This time the cylinder held until we released it after a tea break.
With a boost in confidence, we turned our attention to the Medfit and again cylinder out. This time however we lifted it out.
This one shows the importance of sealing an out of use cylinder, the Shockhoods was sealed when isolated keeping the elements out of it, the Medfits however left to the open and internally it was very poor.
With a scrape, wirebrush and then Red Oxide it was time for another tea break.
This allowed the Red Oxide to dry so we could reassemble the cylinder with another full set of seals and it was refitted to the vehicle. The two vehicles were then connected to the test rig individually, the cylinders operated a number of times and then the brake finally destroyed and left.
I finally brought my latest bit of signwriting out into the sun.
On arrival Monday the vehicles still had their brakes applied. Hardly any drop on either cylinder.
Our task, however, was gala prep. Next week is, of course, Goods Galore and a few of our vehicles are in operation. We were asked by the Operations Manager to look over not only our vehicles but all those in operation. It also gave us the opportunity to complete the Winter Maintenance of E280364 and DB916549.
Back at Quorn and to complete the day I manufactured a blanking plate for the now redundant 15″ cylinder on the Shockhood and Nick manufactured 2 chalkboards for the Medfit.
As I mentioned above next weekend is Goods Galore so feel free to come down and see a substantial number of our collection in operation.
Good morning everyone and welcome to another update from Quorn. This weekend, we have finalised work on the LMS van and continued the overhaul of another 18″ wagon cylinder. We have also begun to strip out the interior of the Yellow Coach so that bodywork repairs can begin.
Nick, Jake and Olly continued to refurb an 18″cylinder, scraping, wire brushing and abrading most surfaces of the components. The cylinder is a Westinghouse affair and has some detail differences between it and a ‘BR’ one, most notably the piston doesn’t have a ball valve in it. In our spares ‘department’ we only have E- Type release valves, which fit the standard ‘BR’ cylinders. The one for this cylinder has a ball valve as part of the release valve, which we don’t have one of currently. Perhaps there will be one in one of our box vans.
Whilst Nick and the lads continued their work on the cylinder, Matt and I got stuck into the operating shaft of the LMS van. The arm extension that Matt had designed, and ably manufactured by Mick Carr at Loughborough (thanks Mick!), is designed as a bolt on extension to the stub left on the cross shaft. The ‘old’ arm was a rather soft steel, so drilled quite easily when one found a sharp drill bit. Sadly, not many of our drill bits are sharp so Matt racked up quite the kill count for drill bits this weekend. He also left 2 drills smoking. I can’t say much though, as I broke a tapered reamer. Ouch! After a lot of struggling, the arm was fitted and tested. There was a slight rotation of the arm relative to the shaft, but we plan on having the arm welded where possible to increase rigidity.
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On to Sunday, and a change of scenery. A while ago, our mess vehicle, the Yellow Coach was shipped off to Rothley for some very much needed bodywork attention. Jamie and Pat have now surveyed the vehicle (and affectionately named it Booths) and told us where we need to strip to reduce the fire risk when it comes to cutting out and welding. Matt and I stripped out all the body-side gas heaters, which we don’t plan on using again, and Nick and Olly started to remove the panelling around the window in the first class toilet, where whoever had fitted the plastic window had used steel machine screws in the aluminum window frame. Brass machine screws should have been used. The body-side heaters put up very little resistance and made their way to the scrap pile. Matt then concentrated on one of the mess area windows, and I set upon the kitchen. The fridge was disconnected and removed, and the oven received a similar treatment. The wall cupboard was cleared out and removed, and then I set upon the body-side wall paneling. The kitchen has an electric heater under the window. I disconnected and removed this and discovered historic fire damage on the wall behind it. When it comes to reassembly, we now have to opportunity to give the kitchen a deep clean.
We left Rothley with items we had wanted to keep from the yellow coach and returned to Quorn to tidy them away. Matt also took some time to admire his work on a sign he is working on for Renaissance Rail Cars.
Thanks for reading, and join us again next week for some more adventures of the wagon variety.
Four days of wagon eggcitement, that’s the end of the Easter puns. So, on to Good Friday. Just me and Nick and work continues on reinstating the vacuum system too M500954. With the red oxide dry, Nick gave the components a last check and hoover to ensure the best from the cylinder once assembled.
I began by creating a branch pipe for the cylinder. Thanks to C&W at Rothley who assembled a kit of tools for me, I first drilled a hole, this was tapped and a section of pipe pre-prepared fitted with a little jointing compound.
Once fitted and Nick had finished we turned to assembling the cylinder. The ball valve was checked to ensure complete and unscored this was reassembled and the Piston Rolling ring and cylinder sealing ring were positioned.
The piston its self was then slid into the cylinder body, lowering steadily and under control. Another hoover and the Cylinder dome was removed from the van.
The dome was fitted and bolted to the rest of the cylinder and placed on a pallet ready for fitting. The piston rod was polished also ready for fitting.
The only means available to us to fit such a heavy item under a vehicle is by a loading shovel fitted with lifting forks. So with a few fine movements, the cylinder was hung initially from the inner trunion.
The outer trunnion was bolted in place as well as all the associated fittings. Piston Rod, Gator, Release valve, release chord, and cylinder hose.
To complete the vacuum side new hoses were fitted to either end of the van, these are fitted without swan necks as the pipe was welded in position by its previous owners and we see no reason to remove it just to thread the pipes. As we have said numerous times, we don’t restore vehicles we repair them.
With the new pipes fitted, we weighed the cylinder piston with roughly 25kg as is the requirement for a static test and using our test rig we sucked up a vacuum. A small leak was apparent from the new branch pipe, which we expected so a quick visit to Rothley will be required to weld the branch before release to traffic. The cylinder I shall mention lower in a moment.
Unfortunately Saturday I spent most of the day at work however work was continued by Nick and Olly scraping and painting the West side underframe and North headstock.
The vacuum cylinder continues to hold a vacuum 24 hours after application.
On to Sunday and I started by signwriting the Wagon plate and Vacuum release star to the west side and XP markings on to both sides. Now there was no doubt the vehicle will be operated as a fitted one.
Nick and Olly along with my wife Michelle scraped and applied bitumastic paint to the east side underframe as well as the Northend buffers.
I continued with further detailing. Vacuum pipes painted red, handbrake ends white, where shrunk bare wood was painted and any missing bauxite touched up.
With the east side painted and because of the extraordinary weather it was dry within a few hours and the east side details applied,
Final day and with the morning light certain areas that had been missed were touched up. The chalk from the signwriting removed and Nick carried out a pad exam and oil. Dave joined us and continued his work on overhauling our spare release valves.
Apart from the actuating arm and the quick weld on the vacuum branch pipe this sees M500954 essentially complete Attention now turns to B726344, preparing it for paint
As the day drew to a close the evening sun shone on to our latest vehicle and Dave managed a sneaky snap of myself and Nick admiring our handy work.
With all that can be accomplished on the Test Car complete the whole team turned to the Shocvan. Measuring and cutting the new plywood sides.
Once back in position all of our attention turned to the Test Car. Due to the poor condition of the inward opening door on the “A” End or the Slip End as its known the decision was taken to change it for another held in stock. This was trial fitted and due to some accurate measuring previously, fitted with no problems at all.
