Hopefully everybody enjoyed the last gala event of the year last weekend, Showcase, which included the Vintage, Quad Art and Demonstration Freight sets along with a few dining cars that are only available to sample by ordinary ticket holders a few times a year. Sadly we now settle down to more mundane timetables as we look towards Winter and the closed period.
London North Eastern Railway 1950 Brake Corridor Third E1866 (GOLD)
No progress to report.
London North Eastern Railway 1938 Brake Third Open E16631E (GOLD)
No progress to report.
British Railways 1961 Brake First Open (Kitchen) M14021 (GOLD)
The asbestos removal contractors have been visiting and have completed the first week of their work. There are three phases of removal and the first of these has been successfully completed. This involved sealing off the former passenger compartment areas and removing heater insulation.
By the end of the week the coach had been lifted up into the air for phase two to commence: the stripping of the steam heat pipework underneath. This has only just started with around a third of the area being sheeted up ready. This will of course continue next week.
Whilst the contractors have been working, for obvious reasons no further work has been attempted on the coach!
British Railways 1958 Brake Corridor Second M35148 (SILVER)
The corridor opposite the guards compartment has continued to progress with the newly installed side panelling panted up to cream gloss. The window glass, retaining bars and outer wooden trim were then subsequently fitted. Some adjustments have been made meaning further painting is required to finish off, however the area is now looking much more complete.
Inside the accessible saloon, the new LED lighting bars have all been fitted into place and are being wired up. The wiring has been simplified so that the whole compartment comes on with one light switch, rather than the previous four. This has been done mainly because the previously intended feature to be able to light up one side only, or one end only, is never used.
On the exterior, corridor connection bellows refitting has been coming on at the Holt end. This end includes the passenger communication vacuum gear which hit complications when we found further areas of corrosion that needed attention. These repairs are now being undertaken after which we shall be finishing the bellows.
British Railways 1957 Class 101 Railcar Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory E56062 (SILVER)
Both door pillars on the doorway currently being repaired are now rebuilt with new metal replacing the extremely untidy British Rail patch repairs. These have now been primed with a view to start refitting the door, hinges and jambs next week.
British Railways 1954 13 Ton Pipe Open B740918
A very productive day was had coating the underframe in its entirety in a coat of black gloss to protect it in time for the upcoming winter weather.
British Railways (LMS Design) 1949 20 Ton Brakevan B950133
The van made a temporary appearance to the Showcase Weekend and has now quickly been returned to Holt Museum for finishing touches.
Maintenance
The control switch box to improve the changeover from generator power to shore supply on RBR E1969 continues to be built up and is now ready for testing.
