After three attempts we had a bucket seat with upholstery that we were happy with, so at the start of 2002, the seats went into production. All the components of the seats were made but had been kept in flat-pack form to save space. Progress on 56856 started in earnest during the May coach week, when it was moved into the paint shop, where it received some much needed attention to the exterior, which had not been worked on seriously for a few years.
Focus then shifted to the interior where doors were fitted and screw heads given a final filling and sanding down. By the middle of July we were ready to cover the interior surfaces with vinyl. This was started with a four day stint, when the saloon of 43567 was almost completed as well as that in 56856. Work continued in the lobbies as well as covering and fixing beads and cornices.
September found us ready to fit the cork lino, which we found very easy to fit ourselves. Concurrently with the above work the NYMR C & W were fitting the dynamo and regulator, as well as re-assembling the brake system and testing the steam heating. Gordon Wells and Peter Wilson between them finished the coach electrics and got the lights working. It was thought that the October gala weekend would be a good opportunity to give 56856 a preview run and so the last couple of weeks before the gala saw all the stops pulled out to get the coach ready. This mostly involved fitting mirrors, wall lights, door panels, coat hooks, bucket seats and tables - the later two jobs being finished off on the Friday whilst on the move. In fact the last of the two toilet doors was hung shortly before the first train from Pickering on the Saturday morning!
We had slightly more than half of the seats fitted for the gala but it still proved very popular with the passengers. We would like to thank the NYMR C & W and operating departments for their help and patience in enabling 56856 to run at the gala.
Work which remains to be done includes:
Len Clarke has continued to progress this coach with his ever growing band of helpers. It is envisaged that with the completion of 56856, 24109 will move up the list of priorities.
The association has received the insurance money; unfortunately, although this is more than it was originally thought it would be, it falls far short of the rebuilding costs. The building of a new flat pack body overseas is being investigated - if this cost is prohibitive then the underframe will be sold for reuse under a grounded body.
Since the last web newsletter much work has been undertaken on this BTO with all the windows glazed, the saloon panelled out, the guards van lined with new match-boarding, the water tanks repaired, lagged and refitted and the body side doors hung, panelled and beaded.
Progress slowed on this coach during the summer while 56856 was the main focus of attention, however, the saloon walls and ceiling were covered with vinyl and most of the beads for the saloon were fitted and covered with vinyl as well.
Since October, finishing the guards van has been the priority. A new ducket for behind the guard's seat is being made, the boarding on the doors has been fitted and most of the painting is done. Thoughts are now turning to the guard's seat, the cupboards and shelves. Also the seats for this coach are being upholstered.
This coach is still showing a tantalising vision of what these vehicles will look like thanks to Len who has scumbled two compartments at one end of this coach.
Some stripping out of the interior has been undertaken. Len Clarke is having the window frames re chromed. The seats for this coach are being upholstered along with those for 43567.
We would like to express our gratitude to the S.R.P.S. for their help in transporting this coach and help in the dismantling. The underframe and bogies were transported to Pickering during the summer.
Purchased from Embsay by the association on behalf of the NYMR, who have now bought it from the association, in line with a new policy to increase the number of open thirds on the railway, as LNERCA wants to concentrate on other coach types.
This example of the large saloon version of BTO, which seats 48, arrived during the summer from the East Anglian Railway Museum.
Frame repairs continue on this end vestibule TK at Kirby Stephen.
LNERCA member Marcus Woodcock has bought this coach which was owned privately at the Embsay Steam Railway and moved it to a site near the east coast. Marcus and helper Roy have already done major repairs to the roof, including replacing a section of rotten cant rail. They have also canvassed the roof with the assistance of Steve Middleton. A poly-tunnel has now been constructed over the coach to keep the worst of the weather off. The next major task is to lift the body up, so the rack plates can be replaced, as was done to 43567 at Pickering.
Spirax Sarco have kindly supplied 20 brand new steam traps and diffusers to use on the HLF project coaches with a 50% discount. Many thanks to Derek Russell of Spirax Sarco at Cheltenham for this kind offer.
Andrew Daniel 15th December 2002
Read last newsletter (September 2001)
© 2002 L.N.E.R. Coach Association.