Still the major priority, progress over the year has been steady if not spectacular. This does not reflect much work behind the scenes such as fabrication of pipe supports and casting of luggage rack brackets and steam heat regulator valves.
The major work has centred on the water tanks which had been repaired and lifted into place and connected up. Sadly it was found that there was a major leak in one of the tanks at the top which only became evident when the tanks were filled to overflow. This has been a major headache as it has resulted in a delay in the toilet compartments and the faulty tank has had to be removed.
Many thanks to Allan Birkin who has now soldered and effected a repair to the tank and is now undertaking further work on modifying tanks for 23896 at Carnforth. The water tanks being made of zinc are difficult to solder as too high a temperature results in the zinc disintegrating.
Thanks are also due to members of the York Area Group who helped John Curtis lift the rogue tank back into position one Sunday afternoon.
Now that the water tanks are sorted and the pipework has been reconnected and water tested, this has paved the way for the building of the toilet partitions by Andrew Daniel which is currently in progress.
John Curtis has repaired and trial fitted two original LNER toilet cisterns; the saloon radiator pipes have been fitted; the curved saloon luggage rack mouldings are now in position. Final filling screwheads in the plywood is taking place in the saloon which will allow the wall coverings to be applied. The saloon light fittings are in place together with the spun brass covers.
STOP PRESS:- The production run of wooden frames for the Bucket seats is now under way.
Len Clarke has been making good progress with all the east side windows removed and taken home for stripping of old paint, dirt and putty and removing broken machine screws. Two have been rechromed in Crewe and fitted back into the coach. New toughend glass has been ordered for the main saloon windows. The end vestibule doors have been stripped of old paint and algae, the teak has been bleached and coated in gold size. The hinges and handles have been repaired and oiled. New plywood has been fitted to the inside of these doors and painted.
The top teak panels between the windows have been secured with new glue blocks. The original teak panels for the coach which were considered reusable are being , stripped, bleached and splits being repaired. The tie rods on the east side have been fitted and the knee irons are being cleaned up and painted prior to refitting.
During 1997 a new roof sheet was fitted to 1299 but during 1998 no further sealant was applied and consequently it has started leaking. The coach has suffered from lack of volunteers willing to work on it and now that the sleeping car has been painted up it now looks a bit of an eyesore. It is extremely unlikely that the LNERCA can provide manpower or funds for its upkeep during 1999 and it really does need new plywood on the West side plus completion of the roof and rebedding of all the windows.
Unless extra volunteers or finance can be found then the vehicle will have to withdrawn from use as a mess coach and sheeted over until it can be restored properly. The aims of the LNER Coach Association are restoring a train of LNER coaches not providing mess facilities for NYMR volunteers.
The need for proper mess facilities near to or adjoining the workshop is an issue that needs resolving.
On a happier note the workshop now looks very smart in it green and cream paint. The NYMR joiners have fitted cover lats over the exterior joints and a rain moulding around the base. On the interior with the assistance of Roger Melton and others the shed is now insulated and lined. John Curtis continues tidying up and painting the various storage units. It is planned to build a timber storage rack in the near future.
Outside ash has been tipped and the area levelled and tidied up; obscure toughened glass has been fitted in the windows.
Martyn Rush has recently had 110 put in the carriage shed in order to add additional coats of paint to the new steel which was fitted several years ago on the east side. The scruffy doors on this side have also been painted in maroon to tidy them up and now the vehicle looks quite presentable from the road up to New Bridge.
D.Cullingworth 1/12/98
© 1998 L.N.E.R. Coach Association.