Restoration News - June 2009
by Hugh McQuade
Loco 7819
The Trust held an open meeting at the Highley Engine House on behalf of the restoration of GWR 4-6-0 No 7819 Hinton Manor. This took place on 26 April and, as a result of the meeting, various initiatives have been put into action with a view to creating funds, a team, and a pile of materials for use on 7819.
Kevin Cronin and Dave Evans have taken on the task of assessing the costs for purchase of new tyres for the loco, in consultation with John Robinson of the MPD. Full costings for purchase and shipping are to be presented to the Trust Board at their meeting on 6 June. A full list of mechanical and boilerwork required has been obtained from John and Boilersmith, Graham Beddoes. This will be the basis of our future fundraising appeals (Kevin was appointed project manager on 6 June).
Several sales initiatives by SVR Association Wolverhampton Branch are being developed, and already over £1000 has been donated from this branch in support of 7819. SVRA South East Branch donated £1000 also in June.
A Hinton Manor specific appeal leaflet is in production with Paul Bennett and Paul Fathers, working to a tight deadline so that it can be sent out in 6000 copies of an international model makers’ magazine this autumn (Bachmann Collectors’ Magazine).
There are even plans for a barbecue, proceeds in aid of 7819 (watch out for details in the coming months) to be held at Arley on August Bank Holiday.
7511 LMS Open First
LMS 7511 was moved by rail from Bridgnorth in March to Kidderminster and put into the carriage storage shed to await its turn on the jacks. It was moved up to the works two weeks later, and its final mechanical checks and setting up were begun by the paid staff as a contract. The overhauled bogies, done nine and four years ago respectively, were lifted and all bearings cleaned and re-lubricated to get over the effects of nine and four years standing outside under a sheet.
Several springs were changed as three had three-quarter inch top leaves, and five had half-inch top leaves, so 7511 wouldn't sit level on them. This may have been a result of changed weight distribution when it was a carpet exhibition coach.
The vacuum cylinders have both been replaced, and redundant DA valves removed. The steam pipework fitted with some difficulty at Bridgnorth has been adjusted to remove a low spot and water traps. While this has been going on, the exterior has been flatted down.
Having reached its second undercoat at Bridgnorth in 2008, it was a bit sooty. Two further undercoats and three coats of gloss have now been applied, and this work was being done in the evenings by Mick Flint and Hugh McQuade, so it does not constitute contract work to be paid for.
By the May Bank Holiday work on marking out and painting the lining had begun. On Saturday 24 May over 200 feet of black lines were done on one side, out of approximately 300 feet needed. Gold leaf ribbon in three-eighths inch width has been delivered and it is estimated that there is 800 feet to do. This will be bordered by 1600 feet of vermillion stripes hand-painted at one-sixteenth wide. This work will be taking place during evenings throughout June and July. By the first week of June approximately seven-eighths of one side was lined out in three colours.
LMS 6-wheel brake No 2886
While still waiting to hear from the PRISM Fund about funding in May, a number of days work clearing it out and removing insecure panels for inspection of the timber framework has been done.
As a result a call to other carriage restorers on the railway resulted in the arrival of six Acro-props to stabilise the body and roof. An early feature of the restoration of 2886 will be removal of all panels for assessment and the roof panels to lighten the load during frame repairs to top and bottom stringers. Building up with weld has allowed one gangway tunnel foundation to be saved for re-use. The worse one awaits attention or renewal.
BR Tourist Second Open 4399
Removal of loose paint and rubbish, plus relocation of stored materials within it, has allowed over half of the coach length to be made available as a rudimentary sales outlet in support of the 6-wheel brake next door.
4399 is about as rough as they get, yet it is restorable. It is worth a visit when it is open just to see what they are like before renovation. Some tidying up of the car park side with maroon undercoat has made it look less of a lost cause already. If anyone would care to help man this sales stand on the major event weekends and Bank Holidays, please speak to Mike Parker - he's the one with the beard and walking stick sat in the corner.
GWR Hawksworth-style Sleeping Car 9084
During April and May, the carriage works electrical expert, Malcolm Hanson, assisted by train repairer, Gary Parsons, installed emergency lighting in all ten berths and the corridor of 9084. This utilised lamp units from an identical Hawksworth vehicle, so the look of the vehicle is not compromised.
Paint shop volunteers have been carrying out repairs and decoration works in the attendant's compartment, vestibules and lavatory. Unfortunately, work on the roof was not satisfactorily done at the contractors in Derby and, as a consequence, after several attempts at bunging it up with mastic, the decision was taken to remove the gutter on the corridor side.
Inadequate sealing about 25 years ago was found to have led to a line of holes on several panels. Two eight foot lengths of roof edge were cut out and renewed with three inch wide galvanised sheet and the remainder of the gutter area cleaned, rust-proofed and painted with zinc primer, undercoat, then gloss. This additional work has not delayed the project, however, as it was done while the electrical work was progressing.
At the end of May, final tasks before completion were being done. All restoration debris was cleared out, and the corridor ceiling redecorated, several original engraved plastic signs in the berths were repainted for appearance's sake. (There is no linen, or attendant to give it to you - no matter how often you used the buzzer). A further two smoke alarms have been added to the corridor, in addition to the ten sited in the compartments. All twelve are radio-linked to each other, so that if one goes off, all go off; the first vehicle on the SVR to be so endowed.
Kidderminster Turntable
At the Trust's Board Meeting on 6 June, the tripartite agreed document covering transfer of the turntable from the Kidderminster Turntable Fund to the Trust, with the blessing of the SVR Holdings Co, was signed by the Trust Chairman. It is due to be conveyed to the Holdings Company Board Meeting on 10 June for their signature, before being signed off finally by the Turntable Fund Trustee Chairman. Discussions with Kidderminster Yard Master, Trevor Davies, have already indicated that a nice little project to install up to three more 'run-offs' on which to park and service the 08 fleet could well be an early feature of Trust action. Further details will be posted, once more formal discussions, measurements and costings have occurred. A new web page details the History of Kidderminster Turntable.