Work restarted on this coach in October, with the machining of the new Teak fronts for the bottom side rails. A delay in the coach moving into Pickering yard resulted in attention focusing on making the final two sections of bodyside framing.
When 23890 was moved into the yard the opportunity was taken to remove the damaged kitchen equipment for evaluation and to take down the walk in fridge. The fridge like the rest of the conversion was fitted in an inappropriate manner for a running vehicle, the fridge sides were not secured to the base or to the coach and the base was not fixed to the floor.
Stormy weather during December made progress difficult, however space became available inside the carriage shed and good progress was made before Christmas. A further thirteen and a half feet of framing has been replaced, this time on the former compartment side, radically changing the appearance of the coach.
Len Clarke and his team of helpers have continued to make good progress with this coach, all of the main body Teak panels have now been fitted and glue blocked in place. The joints in the panelling have been temporarily covered with duct tape to keep out the weather.
All of the refurbished sliding light frames have been refitted and the main windows fitted with temporary glazing. meanwhile the roof has been cleaned and recoated and reinforced with Firecheck and Flexitape. Inside the coach about three quarters of the floor has been relaid using the best of the original boarding, while delivery has been taken of new timber to make new floorboards.
The many tasks on this coach are still progressing more slowly than we would like, however it is pleasing to report that the following tasks have been completed; vestibule ceiling, toilet floors, drilling and painting seat pedestals and most pleasing of all is the fitting of the new steam main by the NYMR C & W.
Current tasks include; luggage rack brackets, toilet end ceilings, passenger communication chain and gear, sorting brake gear for rebushing.
Recent progress has seen the manufacture of new water tank carrier angles (courtesy of our friends at Kirby Stephen) and new battery boxes.
Andrew Daniel 30th December 1999
Read last newsletter (June 1999)
© 1999 L.N.E.R. Coach Association.