Sandstone Heritage Trust - News

WN33 - Back again Flugel!

01st March 2007

Thanks to all those who welcomed me back. Had the feeling I'd been away for ages. Also, in answer to the often asked question, both by e-mail and in conversation, I am working on a little something to tell of my travels, but am snowed under with other issues right now. Be assured that there will be something before too long. Now for today.............................

My first picture was taken bright and early in the day. Seems our Peter Jenkinson has been busy again. There is some realignment to be done in front of the carriage shed and some track renewal too. >From what I understand, this will involve quite a bit of time and effort and some of the shed lines will be out of action for a while. Have at it Peter and may The Force be with you!

What do you do with crane runners not in use? They are handy track laying wagons. No sides and easy to move. Earlier readers will recall that this is the ex Wellington and Manawatu Railway relic.

Why did I show this? Because this is the way we get a lot of the lighting-up timber for the steam locomotives. There are bulk nails in the ashpit.

Another what's this? The near end of carriage A1177 and the roof cover in the process of being affixed. Fuzzy pic I'm sorry, but you can see that the cover has been stretched to this side and a beading nailed in place under the eave to secure it. So how is it stretched? I hear you ask. (I think) Well, it's done with a banjo. ??? I am very reliably informed that this is so.

Here is the tool. The name is somewhat appropriate. The wedge shaped piece of wood secures the material to the body and then you lever the wide end from under the eave (or whatever) by pulling on the handle. Want to see?....................

Here's the two likely lads stretching the end over the platform roof. Keith has the handle and pulling down to apply the stretch. I'm think Graham is applying the nails.

Here we see that Mirthful Max has done the second undercoat on this side and painted the window frames.

On the other side and Max is seen sanding here, but by the end of day, he was nearly finished with the second coat on this side too. Max really is good value.

Every now and then, I sneak off with drawings to picture for the record. Here's one of the Lettering Diagram, for cars With Wood Sheathing.

What our Keith doesn't know off the top of his head, we have in print.

Today I learned which car will be next on this line. We have a grant for A222. Who remembers which car this is? It's the one featured on the 15th Dec 2005. (When we took delivery.) Graham has been planning ahead and has carefully removed these items shown here and had them commercially paint stripped. They have unquestionably done a good job, but at a price! Food for further thought. Now for those who don't recall A222...........

Seen here before going into storage in the carriage shed. Still with the incorrect bogies too, for the sharp eyed among us!

So what of the Electric Traction Group?

Only Bert was here today. He's working on further security in the carriage shed. Vandals have been in and up to no good. Here Bert is adding timber framing prior to nailing up more sheets. The Fennel is really making inroads into this area as you see. Any volunteers for spraying would be most welcome!

That's it for now folks. I must be off to attend to the rest of the day. Cheers, 'K'.