Heritage - Rail - News
First day back on the summer routine
20th September 2007
Yes, I plucked up the courage to got back to my early start routine. Up at 6:00 am is a tough call for an old geezer like me. Why so early? Well, it's a case of getting to the glue factory before the morning rush, or waiting till after. Seems a waste to wait so long once it begins to get lighter in the mornings, so away I go. Enough waffle, so what's in the can for the day?
This one has to raise a smile for me. First picture of the day and I caught these three skiving off in the distance. You can see that two were not pleased to see the camera and Sir Colin was too late and could but laugh. The Flying Scotsman was in the act of turning the other way and Pete Soundy suddenly developed an itchy nose. No overalls between the three of them. They had to be up to no good.
Worse still, the Flying Scotsman had just got himself an American badge. Divided loyalties I think!
They partially redeemed themselves by producing the dummy class plates for the electric locomotives. Ian is seen applying the plate for 'Ec7'. The plates have come up well don't you think?
Back at the coal face, Bob the builder is constructing the framework that will be fitted to the restored hut. This will allow the construction of a wardrobe, dressing table and shelves. Mention of the hut, I was most kindly given two copies of a railways publication entitled 'My Hut'. A very interesting little booklet for those entering onto their first foray into the world of living away from home and having to take care of yourself. So interesting, I thought I might do a special edition regarding these booklets. No one I have spoken to today knows of the publication, yet they must have been freely distributed in their day. Watch this space.
Waste not, want not..................
Roger managed to get all this reusable timber during the week and we had already begun to store it when this picture was taken.
The best lengths were loaded into 'R14', which is being used for just this purpose..............
Seems a shame to just throw away reusable timber and this is a good place to store it.
In front of the carriage shed, the pipes that are used to drop the door stop pegs into have always been a concern to people carrying goods, because they trip them up. I made some boxes into which we can pour some concrete to help make them more obvious.
Progress on 'A222' is moving right ahead. Seem here, Mirthful Max is being assisted in the paint stripping by new member Marie. Max says that output increased from 1 1/3 sections for the day, to two. Only five days to go at that, rate says he. You will note that the four compartment dividers are now in place.
It's a day for not wanting to be pictured. Keith saw me coming and dropped the vacuum cleaner hose
After that, it was just a case of biding my time. :-)
Graham is fitting the seat rails to the walls.
What makes it go? There will be a good number of readers who don't know what sort of power (Power is an over rated term in this case) plant we have in Tr 54. Allow me to settle your worries.
A Paxman Ricardo diesel no less. As supplied originally.
Yes, that's right. No ring gear on the flywheel. You have to be fit to crank one of these. I would be interested to hear from anyone having experience with one of these engines. I have been many years in the automotive trade, both petrol and diesel, but this is new to me and we'd like to breathe life into this again one day. I have heard of both Paxman and Ricardo, but not both together.
Remember that great pile of ballast we had?...............
Almost all gone! That represents a whole lot of trackwork. Now it's time for a cup of tea for me. See you all next week. Cheers, 'K'.