“Building back
better” - A snapshot of recent
works
While it is true it might be lazy to copy a phrase from
politics of late, “Building back better”,
it is what museum members have been
doing after closed lockdown period ended. . This article is just a taster of works undertaken, and
apologies for not been exhaustive in naming names, but it shows the ongoing commitment of our
membership to develop the museum, thanks to all.
Rolling stock inspection and test routines
recommendations have been updated by the ORR (Office of Road and Rail) who are
an independent safety and economic regulator for the railways. It is
responsible for ensuring that railway operators comply with health and safety
law.
Modern standards dictate that the structural integrity of
coaches has to be attended to and recorded. This work has required surgery in
which case surgeons Martin, Sermons and Sothcott were attending to the patient
with others in attendance. Work is required on most of our rolling stock,
the first completion being the BS (Brake Second), then moving forward to the
BCK (Brake Corridor Composite) which is currently in the workshop. It’s
not just rusty panels and rot around
window frames which were its previous ailments, but structural strengthening of
the carriage ends/corridor connections areas. When steel plate rusts, it
buckles and making floors to be unstable and its noted doors may require more support
as well.
Visual improvements have taken place Platform 1 have
painted by Norman Brown and Gradient posts by Mike Nicholls. Buckingham Green paint has been applied to
railings and platform benches on Platform 3 by a team led on the day by Richard
Gourlay.
It is welcome to record Team Wednesday are returning
following the shutdown period, their first task being progressing
re-roofing the P-Way and S&T infrastructure hut. (Former East-side MiniRail shed) Led by Gordon Humphris, Mick Judd, Phil
Leggett, Norman Tenner, and Keith Thomlinson have been seen adding extra roof
boarding and tacking felt sheets to the roofs.
In the Goods Shed south circulating area Robert Guest,
Niall & Hayden Thorogood, Michael Bradley, Albert and other members of our Mini-rail team have
been active using the compacting machine to achieve a smooth surface, and
removing a dangerous brick crane staircase. Most of these works are illustrated
in either EARM Events and Projects What’s App group for general works and
Facebook group for S&T and Locomotive engineering.
Ongoing works have seen the completion of cladding the
two external walls to the new Running shed, the next major activity will be
construction of doors.
Allan Robinson is also to soon start work on re-tubing
No.54, I am told this is the third time around. Having also re-tubed No.11 and Jubilee
at least twice, he knows how to do it but as always anybody pitching in to help
is appreciated.
Other works that are just starting are utilities diversions
to enable construction of the Exhibition building.
