October 2020 workshop round up
Rebuild of Industrial loco Lamport No.3
An order for a new steel welded in a firebox is imminent, this is of course most costly part, it can be progressed as the rolling chassis has progressed well, through the work of the team notably Dick Allman, John Bicknell, Peter Merrick, Nick Proud and Allan Robinson.
Currently only the handbrake is operative so a wooden pattern is been made by John Bicknell so brake blocks can be manufactured by a specialist engineering company in due course. Various welding jobs have been undertaken by Peter Suckling on a number of jobs in the shed, some noted below too.
The museum running fleet
• Jubilee is the museums singular current runner, faults reported in the Drivers report sheets have been attended to by Joshua Fortescue and the loco team. An annual boiler exam is due in January 2021.
• Number 11 has recently had some riveting work done and these will be awaiting a boiler inspection.
• The loco team has started a proactive re tubing of number 54, as there's no known Thomas requirements for some while, this will ensure its longer-term availability.
Diesel multiple unit trailer car DTCL 56358
Initially planned for a quick repaint, the carriage is now receiving a more thorough examination. If you remember this trailer carriage was in an advanced state of external shabbiness, the roof stripped back and repainted was reported by CN79 in March 2020.
Since then Mark Cornell has removed windows and panels, which has highlighted the need for further maintenance. More extensive work can now make place in this “restricted season”. Apart from some internal changes, this is the most significant works since its arrival in 2003.
Peter Martin and Brian Sermons, flushed with success with the smaller W&M Railbus, have moved their tools kits to the larger proposition of the Class 101 unit. Slam doors are now receiving the most attention, wooden frames have become distorted, years of slamming and an external environment means that their wooden frameworks in some cases are reduced to some very flimsy structures. Wood splicing, filling and replacement is required even though the doors are metal skinned. A number of door thresholds have been made and installed. Body work repairs to fill holes and dents are required before any more thoughts of repainting.
The tarpaulin (Hi Bar – B745522) wagon
After its rotten floor has been removed, body panels are strengthened and primed to stop further corrosion. At least it is now stronger and in one piece. It is anticipated for completion within the next few weeks. In a better financial climate it would be fitted with a replacement floor, but tighter financial control dictates a more economical visual finish with a simple tarpaulin covering.
