It is with sadness that I have to report that during the first weekend of June 2000 Gresley TTO no. 60525 was set on fire by vandals. 60525 was being stored at the premises of West Coast Railways in Carnforth, awaiting restoration. The fire has virtually destroyed the coach body, although the frame is still standing, the pillars and rails are badly charred. The heat generated was powerful enough to melt the glass and parts of the brass window frames and window sills. The great tragedy of this incident is that 60525 was one of only three Great Eastern section coaches to survive.
Technically it is feasible to rebuild the body, especially as the bottom side rails have been only slightly damaged. However it does seem unlikely that the required funding could be found (£40000-£60000 ball park figures, with panelling and fitting out costs on top).
The only consolation that we can draw from this is that sister vehicle 60505 is now safe at Kirby Stephen and that one door fell clear of the coach and was virtually undamaged.
56856 has had a spell in the carriage shed during and after the May coach week. This allowed time to be spent on much needed remedial work on the varnish and to better seal the window beads. The passenger communication gear is nearing completion, as are the toilet and toilet end vestibule ceilings. The first production bucket seat frame has been finished and is now at the upholsterers, in order to meet the current target for completion between three and four seats a month will need to be made. All the ash components are ready for assembly and will be put together as required (for space reasons). Still outstanding is the cutting out of the plywood backs and cushion bases, though hopefully this will done soon (some of it this week if other work (as in 'paid work') allows).
Gordon Wells has taken on some of the electrical workload as Peter Wilson is unable to come to Pickering as often as he would like to, as I think most people would like to!
During the Easter weekend 24109 was lifted one end at time by the pway 45 ton steam crane, while the track underneath it was slewed to connect to the turntable. Sadly this is as far as it has gone and there is still no sign of the new MK3 sleeping car being installed, with the inevitable knock on effect on the volunteers.
Len Clarke has laid the rest of the floor and is progressing with the exterior, it is hoped that Gordon will put the main saloon wiring in shortly.
23896 is stored inside the loco shed at Carnforth so is considered to be safe.
The new battery boxes have been painted to gloss.
West Coast Railways are expected to restart work on 23896 in the near future, with the reinstatement of the water tanks and missing compartment partitions.
The end vestibule TK has two periods of activity, the first was in March when the main body panels and gas equipment was removed and an assessment of the frame condition was made. More recently in June, the knee irons, bolt and screws were removed, as was the lower corridor matchboarding. Various minor repairs were carried out on the pillars. The next phase of work will include the repair of a pillar in the corridor that is cracked right through at the waist and the replacement of several sections of waist batten on the compartment side, where holes had been cut for gas heater flues. It is expected that this work will take place in August.
The most recent work on this former TK was completed in March when the last of the five new sections of body side was fitted, along with all the top panels in the new section. A total of 67 feet of body frame has been replaced on this coach, the new window layout gives it a much improved appearance (even if I do say so my self). Work is expected to recommence later in July.
This year the AGM took place on Easter Saturday on board 641 and was again well attended. However the meeting was adjourned until 24th June because some changes were required to the constitution by the Heritage Lottery Fund, in order for the application for a grant to proceed. The opportunity was taken to completely revamp the constitution to pave the way for a move to charitable status for the association.
Andrew Daniel 3rd July 2000
Read last newsletter (December 1999)
© 2000 L.N.E.R. Coach Association.