Carriage & Wagon News - November 2009
Visitors to the IWSR web site may have noticed that there have been no C&W updates for some time, since 2005 in fact! humble apologies for this; it is intended that updates will appear much more frequently in future. A significant amount of work has been achieved in C&W since the last update, however most of the work detailed here has been completed between July and the end of November 2009. If you find these notes interesting and have time to spare then new volunteers are always very welcome as we have plenty of projects in progress with jobs to suit everyone, we do try to be a friendly bunch! If you would like to join the team please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Clive Miller, who can arrange an informal visit to the workshop. You can find his contact details on the Volunteering page.
LCDR 4-Compartment Composite 6378
Probably one of the most significant events in C&W since the last restoration update was that the long restoration of 6378 was completed and it entered traffic at the Strategic Vision launch on 6th June 2009. A couple of minor issues were observed during test runs prior to it entering traffic, but these were soon resolved and 6378 is now in regular use with the other 4 wheelers. To try and ensure that 6378 maintains the very smart appearance shown above a full protection cover is on order and will be used when the carriage is not in service to protect it against the elements.
SR 8-Plank 27910
As is quite often the case this had suffered from the effects of the sun on the south side and Smallbrook end, hence both had to be stripped down to bare wood this then allowed any damage to the timber to be made good. The north side and Wootton ends, being out of direct sun shine for most of the time, just needed the existing gloss paint rubbing down. Once the south side and Smallbrook end had been re-primed and undercoated the upper parts of the wagon were fully re-glossed.. The underframe and wheels did not miss out on the attentions of the sander and paint brushes, both now gleam in their new coat of paint. Once all the painting had been completed Peter Clowes then expertly re-did all the sign writing.
Shark Brake Van DB993853
The Shark needed a major amount of as much of the woodwork had succumbed to the ravages of time and the weather. Much of the exterior timber had to be replaced and some of the underlying frame work also needed replacing. As well as the woodwork needing attention the duckets also needed suitably repairing with welded plates. A small section of the roof was rotten and hence also needed replacing, as did the all gutters, end and rain strips. Once all the exterior repairs had been completed the outside was then fully re-primed, under coated and re-glossed. The interior has not escaped attention and has been fully repainted and the the seats are in process of being reupholstered. The mechanicals also received some TLC and the previously non-operating Wootton end plough is now fully functioning again.
SR 15-ton Goods Brake Van 55724
This brake too had suffered from the sun and hence it too required that the south side and Smallbrook end were taken back to bare wood. As the rest of paint work and underlying woodwork were in good condition, all that was needed was rubbing down of the gloss paint. However one of the doors needed the attention of John James who replaced the damaged timber. The brake was then treated to a full repaint in appropriate colours. Again Peter Clowes wielded his sign writing brush to complete the restoration.
LSWR 10 ton Road Van 56046
56046 was found to have suffered the same fate as the 15 ton brake and the 9 plank wagon, i.e. too much sun, hence it followed the same proscribed treatment therefore the south side and Smallbrook end were striped of all paint and the other side and end just had the gloss a rubbed down. A full repaint followed resulting in the very smart looking brake pictured above.
NLR 4-wheel 4-compartment Composite 6336
The south side of this carriage was fully repainted, re-lettered and re-lined. The rest of the carriage had the varnish top coat rubbed down, the full carriage was then re-varnished. During its time in the workshop the roof was also repainted to resolve the leak which the carriage had been suffering from for some time.
LBSCR 5-compartment Third 2343
This carriage had one of the shortest stays in C&W this year. As the structure and paintwork were in good condition all that was required was for the varnish top coat to be rubbed down with ‘Scotch-Brite’ (just like doing the washing up but on a very LARGE scale!) once completed a new coat of varnish was applied to both sides and ends leaving the carriage looking like new (or should that be old?).
LBSCR 8-compartment Third 2403
'Kim's Coach' was moved from the Show Field onto a temporary underframe during October, more details can be found on the Latest News pages. It has now been in the workshop for several weeks, most of the exterior panelling has been removed to allow the condition of the underlying frame work to be assessed. There is a major amount of rot in the main timber on one side of the coach, investigations are in hand to identify and source suitable replacement timber for this main structural component. The temporary felt covering on the roof has also been removed, revealing just how well it has protected 2403 during it's 18 years stood in the Show Field. It has been agreed that this coach will be extended during its restoration, exactly where is still to be decided, to create a wheelchair compartment. As with the wheelchair compartment created in LCDR 2515, when the work is completed it will be almost impossible for the casual observer to notice the alterations.
SR Scenery Van
Prior to work starting on 2403 Pete Jardine spent many a happy hour removing the all bodywork and most of the mechanical items from the scenery van as it had been decided that this would become the donor underframe for carriage 2403. Usable parts from the body have been retained for possible future use. Indeed some of the wood has already found a use in repairing one end of our wood store (the ex Staff Sleeping Accommodation van). Also part of what was the roof is now being used to protect Ivatt 46447.
LBSCR 5-compartment Brake Third 4168
A considerable amount of progress has been achieved on this carriage since it last featured on this website. The body was joined with the restored underframe early in 2008. Some of the carriage frame work needed replacement before the body could be bolted down to the underframe. Several panels and mouldings were replaced due to rot, prior to protective coats of primer and undercoat being applied. New battery boxes were built and fitted in the underframe. Several doors needed varying amounts of rebuilding or restoration prior to being refitted. Temporary drop lights have been fitted to allow the carriage to be moved out of C&W workshop, in due course the correct drop lights will be restored and refitted. New wiring was installed throughout the carriage roof prior to any internal repainting being done. Several planks in the brake end of the carriage were replaced before the interior received the attention of many paint brushes and tins of paint. The interior of the 5 compartments have been fully repainted, scumbled and lettered. This allowed the rebuilt luggage racks, mirror and picture frames to be refitted. Work has now been completed to refit the lights in all compartments, those in the brake end have still to be fitted. Seat backs have been reupholstered and refitted. Work is progressing to reupholster the seat bases and they'll be fitted once the heaters are installed.
Sad guards van seat lives again!
C&W work is not restricted to carriages and wagons! The department has an ancient, leather-clad bench which has seen many hard years of life in one of our guards vans. Early in 2009 it was decided that it needed some TLC so Derek Gardener set to work to breathe new life into it. After removing all the covering and stuffing Derek had a new central leg made to replace the one that went missing many years since. This was subsequently fitted and the bench was the given a new covering of stuffing and leather cloth. At the time of writing it has not been decided where this bench will reside, but given the splendid job Derek has done perhaps it should no longer be hidden away in a guards van?
LBSCR 9-Compartment Third 2416
2416 is currently in the C&W Workshop for maintenance. All drop lights have been removed and will be beautified with fresh varnish. A couple of body panels have already been replaced as have several body side mouldings. Two doors await fitting on new galvanised sheeting to replace the corroded panels.
Workshop
The CW workshop has not escaped the attention of the work force either! New (well, second hand!) mortising and milling machines have been obtained. A new compressor and pipe work has been installed and is now in regular use. A new dust extraction system has been fitted to help cope with the volumes of wood dust produced in machining the many replacement wooden parts which we make.
We wish all who ride in our carriages a Merry Christmas!
If you would like to find out more about our collection of historic railway rolling stock visit the Carriage & Wagon page.