Tag: 281882

  • 26/01/20 – Winter Gala

    This weekend has of course been the GCRs winter gala, we stepped away from Rothley and ADB977107. To open the doors at Quorn and allow you to see what we do, see Test Car 2 and Madge.  It was great to see so many of our followers and supports and thank you for taking the time to come and see us.20200126_121242

    Work, however, did not stop.  Nick, Ross, and Jake re-floored E280364 and changed the few rotten planks on E281882.

    Dave and I along with Eddie and Harry played hosts for our visitors.  Dave explaining the Test Cars past and I demonstrating some signwriting, namely the W.H.Smith & Son wording for the kiosk at Loughborough83421767_1095605867498752_7962423583538413568_n

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    Once the floors had been completed Nick, Ross and Jake then moved on to the overhaul of the 15″ vacuum cylinder from B385782.20200125_141559 Sunday and an unscheduled visitor into the yard, namely 46521 deputising for 4953 which had failed that morning. We took advantage of the vist and had the Iron Ore tippler moved to the centre road so we could fit the 15″ cylinder before we opened the doors.

    Once the loco had left the cylinder was placed back under the Tippler and the doors of the test car opened.

    A vacuum test was carried out after a hose change and the vehicle deemed to be fit, just awaiting better weather to complete the vehicle.

    Madge was on display and had the opportunity to make some friends on the few trips around the yard.

    The sign painted Saturday was cleaned of chalk and will be collected next weekend to be fitted to the Kiosk at Loughborough20200126_193937

    Jakes final task was to clear the build-up of moss from inside the tippler and in due course extra drain holes will be being added to the wagons floor.20200126_152036

    Finally, for this update a few views from the gala the visiting NER petrol although Diesel-powered rail car and our van train “plus” including Shochood B and Loaded Conflat.image5

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  • 19/01/20 – Charters, Coaches and Cylinders

    This week has seen the GCR host a number of photo charters with the visiting K1.  4 days in total with a mixture of stock – Minerals, Crimson & Cream, and Maroon Coaches, but of relevance to us the Van Train.  Matt was in attendance for 3 of the days with Wednesday being the depute of the loaded Conflat and ‘Madge‘.

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    Friday and Matt visited the Mountsorrel And Rothley Community Heritage Centre to begin the task of signwriting their Tar Tank. The Eastside was completed and a return visit will be required to finish the vehicle.

    A now seemingly rare day at Quorn on Saturday, with us preparing for the gala next week. With the TPOs unable to run due a Temporary Speed Restriction just on the approach to Quorn, we shall be opening up the Test Car and having our own little open day. We are planned to show what we do on a weekend-ly basis to visitors to the gala, and are planning to show a vacuum cylinder overhaul, re-flooring a wagon and a release valve overhaul. To preapre for the above, we swapped the cylinder from under the ‘regular’ LNER Steel High E281882 fitting a new branch-pipe and overhauled release valve, and removed the 15″ cylinder from the Iron Ore Tippler B385782 ready for overhaul (this is awaiting an overhaul kit). Some attention was paid to the Test Car, with Harry, Eddie and James cleaning and tidying up in preparation to open it again.  This trio also tidied some of the yard area too.

    Sunday saw more work on the Yellow Coach. Dave worked on re-panelling the last area where there was a gas heater, in front of the guard’s office. Matt began by painting the boards he’d fitted last week. He then assisted me in cutting and fitting the conduit to the sockets. Eddie started cleaning the mess area, and has made a huge difference to the state of the walls. Nick concentrated on fitting the last window that had been welded up on Saturday (Thanks Jamie!). Dave finished off by painting the areas of bare metal welded in, and then fitting a bit of wood above the guards door, with its fire exit sign.

  • 02/06/19 – Independent Test Car

    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 E281882 E280364, 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 Shockvan20190601_104030.jpgOnce 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.  20190602_192401

    That concludes this weeks update and our hope is for better weather so progress can continue with Test Car 2

  • 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!