January 2009 News Update
by Hugh McQuade
Our Coaches in the Works
24617, LMSR design Corridor Composite built 1950
(Kidderminster Works)
The light repair and repaint of this all steel coach continued during the Christmas and New Year period. Between December 29th and 31st the vestibule floor in the third class end was re-laid with a double layer of 6 ½” tongue and groove boards especially machined to the original sizes. On return to work in the New Year, the gangway was fitted with a new canvas 4-hoop from SVR(H) stock. At £500 plus labour, a significant outlay on the coach’s behalf. Third class seating awaits re-covering using Trust funded moquette and it is hoped this can be programmed for February. Completion is scheduled for January 14th, minus the eight sets of seats for now.
9084, GWR design First Class Sleeping Car, built 1950
(Kidderminster Works)
Having had the asbestos removed from the steam pipes in mid-December, on return to work in January the paint shop volunteers have been fitting the new drop-lights correctly. That is to say, correcting errors committed during its repair that caused the drop-lights not to function correctly. The ten sleeping berths have all now been fitted with radio linked smoke detectors, programmed and installed by James Broughton, the paint shop apprentice. Two destination boards have been made up and fitted on 9084. One announcing calling points from Paddington to Penzance and the other indicating the ownership of the vehicle for its ex-works portrait pictures. Both are in the correct style of Hawksworth GWR script, an apparent blend of Gill Sans and Roman. Further work to the gangway canvasses and end screens is taking place currently with a view to keeping the weather and un-welcome visitors out. New lino was delivered on January 7th and is acclimatising in the paint shop, to warm it up prior to fitting next Tuesday by the Bridgnorth contractor, Graham Hill Flooring.
9220, British Railways, Mark 1, Brake second Open, built 1955
(Bewdley Bodyshop)
Otherwise known as the Steam School coach, 9220 has been limping along on these duties for the last couple of years with a "one coat wonder" paint job in maroon, pending a slot in the programme for a proper going over. 9220 needs urgent attention to three of its passenger doors and corrosion around gangways and crash pillars. Orders have been given for three doors from Kidderminster stores to be sent down to Bewdley for reconditioning ready for 9220, which will be next vehicle into Bewdley body shop, after LMS 27218 which is nearing completion. 9220 has put in some ordinary duty miles in December on the tail end of the BR Carmine and Cream set, where it used to reside before becoming the preferred vehicle for Steam School work. The coach probably holds the record for running in Carmine and Cream longer than any other coach in the Country, despite its break with tradition for the last two years. It is hoped that this will resume following its up-coming overhaul.
7511 LMSR Open First built 1934
(Bridgnorth Repair Dock)
Seven completed tables have now been installed. Four restored originals from 7571 in the small saloon and three new-built replicas in the larger saloon. The replica LMSR monogrammed carpet looks superb and with the first green-clad tables in place it is a heartening sight. Further tables and lampshades will be completed during January and into February. Meanwhile the curtains are being machine stitched by a volunteer in Yorkshire. It won’t be too long now!
Down at Kidderminster, additional lamp-bodies from the same casting run as 7511’s are being made up by paint shop volunteer, David Fort. Eight of these are intended for replica Buffet Car No.149. The 1934 Buffet Cars had the same lamps as the First Class Diners, but in a chromed finish. The project to manufacture all 22 of these lamps began under LMS & BR Coach Fund auspices and as such, the Trust inherited the materials for completion of those in 7511. Eight for the SVR(H) Buffet Car were considered an exchange for various steam heating fittings used in 7511’s restoration.
32919 LMSR 6-wheeled Parcels Brake
(Bridgnorth Repair Dock)
Costings for the overhaul of 32919 have been gathered during December and contractors for various jobs sounded out about availability and willingness to participate. Drawings for manufacture of new gangway foundation ironwork have been produced by Bridgnorth volunteer Peter Cope, and sent for costing to a Kidderminster firm. Actual restoration work will not officially start until the outcome of a grant application is known in early January.