Class 04 undergoing restoration.  


The completed maroon RMB (Restaurant Miniature Buffet) 1876  

To continue the theme of the last report, the maroon RMB (Restaurant Miniature Buffet) 1876 had been moved outside for work to continue, as the exterior was complete. It has taken another couple of months of hard work to finish everything off internally, as we were anxious to ensure that everything was complete before the coach went back into service.

In fact, just as it was virtually finished a call came from David Locke heading the 'Thomas'; organising committee asking if it could be pressed into service to strengthen the third rake to be used bringing children from Cheltenham to see Thomas. So, a final clean up and polish of the floors and off went the RMB. I have attached a photo of it back in the rake looking very smart.

The maroon BSK (Corridor Brake second) 35308 had come into our workshop when the RMB left, and has now been inside for two months. The majority of the external work is complete, as this coach also was in pretty good condition externally.  Much work is however, being undertaken internally. Firstly the disabled area is being completely revamped and up-graded. A pair of sliding doors has been fitted internally to give a much greater sense of comfort, more light has been introduced and the original planked walls have been replaced with veneered ply. The floor will be recovered in non-slip flooring, and the passenger seating for helpers and friends is being reupholstered. When finished, it will be a transformation from what was there originally.

Secondly, the seating area of this coach has never been touched since it arrived on the railway, despite the fact that it has now been running for 17 years. Each compartment has been stripped out, panelling is being cleaned of all old stained varnish before being re-varnished, and ceilings are being painted. Finally, when each compartment is complete newly reupholstered seating will be fitted.

The guard's compartment is also having a major refurbishment. This area is in constant use by staff operating the train, and quite properly it is having as much attention as the rest of the vehicle.

Once this coach is complete, it will mean that three of our six maroon coaches have been completely overhauled and refurbished. We shall then take a short break from that rake, and bring the carmine & cream TSO (Tourist Second Open) 4763 back into the shed to complete it. You may remember that we spent several months working on this last year, but stopped as the exterior doors were in such poor condition that arrangements had to be made to source replacements. The originals were in too poor a state to repair.

Well, that has been done, and for the past few months a small team, has been working away refurbishing and overhauling the replacement doors. Four 'new' doors are now fitted with the final two well on the way. That will mean that we can complete that coach and put it into the carmine & cream rake, and replace SK 25451, which is running there as a 'stop gap', and which itself is in serious need of a refurbishment as it was last attended to in 1994.

The benefit of including 4763 in the rake will not only increase the number of seats available, but mean that this rake can also be used for our ever more popular fish & chip trains. At present, only the chocolate & cream rake can be used, as it is the only rake with a TSO.

Once the maroon BSK is finished, we shall have three more maroons to do. We shall probably attend to the 'new' TSO 5042 next. Readers of previous reports will remember that when 5042 arrived it had most of the large windows missing, together with all the top sliding lights.

We managed to find all but three pairs of top sliding windows. This was not easy as inevitably they are a rather unique pattern (different to virtually every other Mk 1, and only a small batch of coaches was fitted with them). I then managed to purchase three more pairs, and when they arrived and I examined them I found that they were all marked - yes, you've guessed it - 5042! So the coach has got a few of its original windows back.

Space has recently been made available in the extension to house an 04 Diesel Shunter owned, and being refurbished by Chris Bagley. Mechanically it is sound now, but it is in need of a thorough repaint. It arrived in a fairly horrid shade of sickly pale blue with large red numbers. It will emerge in all over gloss black with 'wasp stripes', and the original BR 'ferret & dartboard' logo. It will be a very useful addition to the shunting fleet. A picture of this loco, under refurbishment is also attached.

I ended the report last time by explaining that a large area of land had been cleared of S&T equipment, so that sidings could be laid to house storage vehicles, and other rolling stock. Well, I was a bit optimistic. The land was vacant for almost a week, before it was decided to move and locate there the huge signal box to be erected one day at Broadway, but currently best described as a kit of parts.

The vehicles have arrived on the railway; three TPO's (ex Post Office stowage Vans) in very good condition, but now there is nowhere to store them. Apparently plans are afoot to build a temporary building elsewhere on the land, into which the signal box will go to be made into a kit form, for erection at Broadway. Without appearing unduly pessimistic, that looks like being a fairly long job, so it is now less clear when our sidings will appear.

On the operational side, the two rakes of coaches in use seem to be holding up well. Passenger numbers continue to rise, and the coaches carry an amazing number of people. Routine running repairs will always be necessary, but by having a small weekday gang to attend to them as they arise, means that we are largely able to keep on top of most things. A significant amount has had to be carried out to the Chocolate & Cream BSK (Corridor Brake second) 34676. There were reports of a heavy vibration from the north end bogie, but only whilst the train was heading north.

Examination revealed a leaking vacuum pipe, which no doubt was causing the brakes to drag whilst the coach was at the end of the train heading north. Whilst at the south end, no doubt the vacuum ejector on the loco could cope with the leak and keep the vacuum up. Much attention has already been given, and will continue to be given to adjustment of the brake rigging. It is more than likely that we shall have to take this coach out of use for a few weeks to attend to everything. That will mean having to use the carmine & cream BG (Gangwayed Brake) 81039 as a brake coach on that set on a temporary basis.