The main item of news in recent times is the acquisition by an LNERCA member of Gresley open third 43654 from Embsay. This coach has been accepted onto the NYMR by the Trust Board and is due to arrive in April 2006. Further details of this coach can be found on the stocklist page.
It is hoped that 43654 will be ready for traffic in time to run at the NYMR's spring steam gala on May 19-21. If it is, the Gresley train will reach six coaches in length, supplemented by the Thompson CL, which will feature new upholstery in its first class compartments.
3087 is currently in the paintshop at Pickering, receiving its top coats of varnish and being lined and lettered in GNR style.
A new addition to the Website is an Online Sales Page. This is a new venture for the LNERCA, but we are trying to stock items unique to the Association as far as possible so please have a look and see what is on offer.
Work continues to complete open third 23956. A number of components are away at the chromium platers, including luggage racks and brackets, coat hooks and mirror clips, and will be reinstated in the coach (complete with new luggage rack nets) on their return. Whilst they are awaited, work is being concentrated on fitting out the two toilet compartments.
Another open third, 24109, is also seeing progress with the fitting of the ceiling panels and cornices. Luggage racks are also being prepared for fitting - these came from LNER electric stock and are not quite correct for the coach but offer a better solution than fitting BR Mk 1 racks, for example. The water tanks have also been installed with their associated piping.
The next major project for the LNERCA is likely to be Thompson corridor third 1623 and a grant application to complete the remaining frame repairs is being prepared.
Similarly (and because there are potential economies of scale that could be realized) a grant application is also being prepared for the restoration of Thompson corridor composite 18477. One of the first coaches to arrive on the NYMR, it has not run in passenger service since 1973 and is thus the longest waiting coach we have in our restoration queue. A recent survey of this coach has revealed that although the corridor side framing requires almost total replacement, that on the compartment side is sound. The LNERCA already has much of the timber needed and a set of new steel paneling in store, and unlike most of our other vehicles, the interior of 18477 is virtually complete, although shabby. The Association has recently taken the opportunity to acquire some suitable moquette to allow the first class seats to be reupholstered, which will also count for matched funding.
Any donations towards work on the two Thompsons will be greatly appreciated - and remember that if you are a UK taxpayer we can claim 28% gift aid on your donation.
Please contact our Treasurer, John Hasler at John.Hasler@lnerca.org if you wish to make a donation.
Roger Melton 15th April 2006
Read last newsletter (December 2002)
© 2006 L.N.E.R. Coach Association.