NVR Wagon Group

Has it really been two weeks since our last update, how time flies.

So, on the 13th I popped into Overton to progress B780952. First task was to apply undercoat to the door edges. Once dry, I applied the top coat to these edges. I also applied top coat to the parts of the frame that are under the doors when closed.

I then set about finishing the underframe prep in readiness for some underframe black. Which I promptly applied.

With time remaining I also applied a fresh coat of matte black to the end chalkboards.

A few more finishing touches and the cosmetic work shall be finished. I left Overton with a very smart Vanfit on the back siding.

On to the 20th and the Wagon Group session. First task for me, the details, applying white to the lamp irons and brake handle ends.

Vacuum swan necks receiving freight brown.

Followed by technical markings and dates for Paint, Lift, Brake Overhaul, Oiled and Pad Exams. Although these are fictitious dates, with the actual dates held in our records.

Tim had manufactured new wagon plates, so he and Alan promptly fitted them.

This completes the vehicles cosmetic overhaul.

The vehicle requires the reinstatement and commissioning of the Vacuum braking system. Additionally, a Pad exam and an oil remain outstanding. These tasks will need to be completed before the vehicle enters traffic.

Alan, Stu, Tim, and I then carried out a few odd jobs on site. We covered Tim’s Brakevan. We built a ramp and assembled a sack barrow. That, I’m afraid completes this update, we’ll see what we achieve over the next two and let you know.

It’s that time again, another work session with more progress on B780952.

Jason, Paul, Tim and I focusing on the vehicle.
Jason and Paul continuing the prep work of the chassis, removing rust, flakey paint, moss and other detritus.

Tim’s focus was the fitment of the South side door pin and lower stopper plate on B780952. He also took a look at Palvan B778810 which had issues with its South side door locking bar and some paint work.

The upper bar retainer had bent allowing the door bar to fall away from its locking position. Tim manufactured and fitted a retaining strip to prevent this. Then turned his attention to removing failed paint work before priming and top coating, the vehicle will need a full repaint soon as it has not faired as well as hoped.

For me I carried out my favorite activity, that being signwriting. Telegraph code, gross weight, running number, express speed marker, wheelbase, tare and paint symbol being applied to both sides.

Finally, we gave a very special item a quick outing in the evening sun.

For those who may not be aware the Station Building at Overton was originally from Fletton which was the opposite side of the East Coast Mainline to Fletton Junction, todays mainline connection to the Nene Valley Railway.

That concludes this weekends update. In two weeks time we shall hopefully let you know what we have been up to.

Since our last update a number of working groups have met to progress our latest project. Vanfit B780952, a 1959 Charles Roberts built Diagram 1/208 Planked van, with plywood doors.

On the 14th August, Jason and Tim were on site undercoating the new doors as well as priming areas from the previous work session. Most of the frame was also prepped and primed.

On the 16th I was on site, completing the prep and priming the North side followed by an application of undercoat.

The 23rd was the main group session for this update, with Jason, John and I on site.
Jason focusing on the underframe, John on prepping and priming the South side, whilst I attended to the west end.

By the end of the session the South and West sides had been covered in undercoat.

On to the 25th, with Tim and I on site, after a little shuffle to uncouple the east end I was able to prep and undercoat.

Saturday I did find one of the South side planks to be life expired so whilst I painted the end Tim set about removing and replacing the plank. Calling on me when assistance was required. Although as can be seen, due to a lack of full width planks, Tim improvised. Once installed and with the undercoat out already it was applied after some red oxide primer for the bolts.

After lunch, what we consider the main event was carried out.
A full repaint of all 4 sides into Williamsons Freight Brown.

That concludes this update next session is scheduled for the 6th September, join us then to see what we achieve.

Unfortunately our planned freight driving course on Friday 8th August was postponed, so it was decided that the time would be well spent getting back to work towards our Paul Foxwell Express Freight Project.

With Van B780952 being not far off returning to traffic, it was the obvious candidate to get on with. The first job was to complete replacement of side planking. The inside planks had already been removed a few weeks before by Jason, Matt, and Tim, so all that remained was to remove the exterior planking. Mark, Paul, and Tim got on with this job, which required the coach bolts to be knocked out.

Meanwhile, Alan and Jon got on with sanding down and painting the original planking on the other end of the same side, above the previously replaced bottom planks.

By close of play, the west end had new planks fitted and the east end had been sanded back, primed, and undercoated.

Up bright and early the next day, with a keen attitude to achieve, the target was new doors on B780952. The first job was to finish the previous days work, so Tim and Annika got inside to refit the original internal boards.

Meanwhile, Matt trimmed off the excess thread on the coach bolts outside the van from the previous days planking. Mark, Jason, and Jon, then made a start cleaning back the chassis ready for painting. Matt also did some patch metal repairs and Jon a bit of wood filling.

After a spot of lunch and as everyone was feeling like getting the job done, Tim, Annika, and Matt made a start on the new plywood doors.

Once a bit of primer had been added to the new doors, Matt began to take the old doors off. Then it was time to get the new doors fitted, with Jason cleaning the hinges.

Tim then got his palm router out for a bit of door furniture fitting.

By close of play on the second day, and after pulling out a long session, B780952 was structurally complete on the north side and looking fantastic!

Next time, the final planks on the upper west end will be sanded and painted, metalwork on the ends attended to, then the whole van painted.

This Saturday we hosted our latest freight driving course under the title of ‘The Peak of Summer’. It gave customers a rare opportunity to drive on a standard running day, which has the added excitement of trains passing at Orton Mere. Featuring our running rake of 15 wagons behind Class 45 ‘Peak’ No 45041 ‘Royal Tank Regiment’, despite the slightly damp conditions, a great time was had by all.

Even Stu and Josh were full of smiles, when they got a ride in the rear cab of the loco for the light engine run home.

The previous Saturday there was a short session at Overton. Matt got on with the last bit of signwriting on the Banana Van…

…Whilst Tim gave his Brake Van veranda rails some tlc, and Stu and Josh helped with some tidying around the site.

The session was cut short due to an important development meeting with all Overton staff around some proposed changes to the station. As part of the Overton Goods, Coal and Travelling Post Office Depot Project, the British Railway Eastern Region 1962 theme needs to be embraced across the whole site. A meeting was therefore arranged with all Overton volunteers to discuss the plans and get people onboard with the living and working museum concept, which will create an immersive experience for staff and customers alike. Some changes were also proposed for the inside of the current station building, to bring the inside in line with the external alterations and to give the internal area more of a historic railway station feel. The proposed colour scheme for the outside of the building has been approved by the NVR board with a repaint hopefully taking place before next year. Any internal alterations will be slightly longer term, but it is considered that the external repaint will create an instant impression of what the project hopes to achieve around the rest of the site, allowing potential investors to visualise the 1962 theme.

Matt has been flying solo again and spent the day Saturday putting the finishing touches to the signwriting on Tim’s trailer. After a considerable amount of research, attention to detail, and plenty of man-hours, the Scarab Mechanical Horse and three trailers have been transformed into British Railways crimson and cream livery to form part of the planned 1960s living/working museum at Overton; under the Overton Goods, Coal and Travelling Post Office Depot Project. Here is the recent work…

…and here is a showcase of all the vehicles following the transformation…

In other news, we plan to have a small-scale opening of Overton yard this coming Saturday only, so why not come and see us and take a look at progress so far on the project.

Tickets are still available for our next two events if you’d like an opportunity to drive with our wagons.

For more details and to book, visit – https://nvr.org.uk/section.php/3/1/experiences

Determined to finish the transformation of his road vehicles, Matt took a bit of time off work to repaint his mechanical horse into British Railways crimson and cream livery as part of the move towards 1962 as part of the Overton redevelopment project.

After a bit of a rub down, the windows came out and the cream went on. Then it was time to get the interior repainted into a beautiful light stone colour. More rubbing down saw the final RAF livery disappear ready for some crimson undercoat.

The topcoat of crimson was next, followed by the beginning of the totem above the windows. The last bits of RAF grey on the chassis were then painted black.

Once the main colours were hardened off it was time for some detailing. The front plate was picked out in silver and then the lettering was applied. A lot of patience and a steady hand has produced a fantastic result!

In other news…Tim took a rare day off from the Saturday working session and other members were also busy, so Matt got on with signwriting the Banana Van.

Whilst Matt was busy painting the Banana Van, Jason did a bit more fence painting. By the end of the session the Banana Van and the pedestrian gate to the yard were looking awesome!

Tickets are still available for our next driving courses…

For more details and to book, visit – https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/553/the-peak-of-summer-freight-driving-experience

For more details and to book, visit – https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/351/teddy-bear-freight-experience

The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and there was plenty to do at Overton…

Matt was in early to get a head start on painting Tim’s trailer. After lightly rubbing down the crimson, a second coat was applied by the time everyone else turned up and then Matt got on with the totems.

Meanwhile, Tim and Annika got on with the repaint of the Banana Van/ Wagon Group Museum.

In an effort to make the site look a bit better, Mark, Jason, and Paul started to paint the fence and decking around the Banana Van.

As an unexpected treat a Lancaster Bomber made an appearance over the wagon rake.

By the close of play, the Banana Van was painted and ready for lettering, the fence and decking was painted, and the scarab trailer was looking awesome!

Hot off the press, our next freight driving course has just gone on sale. Join us on Friday 8th August for a chance to drive Class 14 No 9529.

To book, visit – https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/351/teddy-bear-freight-experience

Over the weekend Matt was flying solo to press on with the repaint of the road vehicles into British Railways livery.

Saturday saw new canvas in the correct colour added to Tim’s trailer, then a bit of painting to the areas where the poster boards sit, and a start on the crimson.

Matt was then back on Sunday to finish off the crimson. This will allow the lettering to be started this weekend.

These repaints are all part of the Overton Goods, Coal, and Travelling Post Office Depot Project…which will see the entire site transformed into a British Railways Eastern Region country station and goods yard set in the early 1960s. All those involved in the station are now beginning to embrace this concept, with all future work on the site moving towards the final goal. Look out for further exciting news on the project coming soon.

In other news, places are still available in the morning session of our next driving course, so if you fancy driving the Peak (No 45041 ‘Royal Tank Regiment’), then book now!

https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/553/the-peak-of-summer-freight-driving-experience

A bit more was achieved at Overton, with a repaint of the Banana Van being top of the list. Tim got on with some filling and then Mark and Paul sanded down and started painting.

Meanwhile, Matt was busy with the cream topcoat of Tim’s trailer. The transformation of the vehicle fleet is progressing really well and looking fabulous. The rectangular patches on the sides are where the poster boards will be reattached.

There was an early finish to proceedings due to Tim giving a lecture for NVR Members about wagons and the Overton Project. The evening was another success with positive comments all round.

Tickets are selling well for our next driving course, with the afternoon already sold out. If you’d like a chance to drive our Class 45 ‘Peak’ loco, then more details and how to book are at the following link –

https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/553/the-peak-of-summer-freight-driving-experience#jumpbook

A slightly late update covering a week of wagon activity….

On Friday 16th May we hosted another extremely successful freight driving course with GWR Prairie No 4144. With the freight rake being at Overton a slight adjustment to the timetable saw our course start and end from Overton. The new look course worked really well, with staff and participants having a great time.

The next day, Saturday 17th May, a few members of the wagon group were at Overton doing a few bits.

Matt got to work with some signwriting, whilst Tim was busy measuring and writing chain markings along the running line. This will aid the site plan that is currently being drawn up by NVR volunteer and former BR designer, Stan Thompson. As an aside, a very successful meeting was held recently at Overton to finalise the proposed track layout for the Overton Goods, Coal & Travelling Post Office Depot. This will then allow costings to be formed for infrastructure and will lead to the completion of the business plan.

Meanwhile, Paul and Jason made a start on the repaint of the Banana Van / Wagon Museum, but Tim forgot to take some pictures!

On Saturday 24th May the short freight was out again for the Welsh Valleys event. The freight left Overton behind Class 14 No 9529, then later in the day was behind No 4144 again.

Photos courtesy of David Pond and Lewis Morrissey

Whilst the freight was out, Matt Baker was busy in Overton yard starting the repaint of Tims Scammell trailer.

All road vehicles are in the process of being repainted into British Railways livery.

The next day, Sunday 25th May, Matt was back at Overton to continue the undercoat. Unfortunately, due to the Class 14 failing the freight was pulled from the event, leaving it stuck at Wansford.

The wagon group will be back at Overton on Saturday 31st for more progress. In the evening, Tim will be giving a talk to NVR members about wagons and the Overton Goods, Coal and Travelling Post Office Depot Project.

Well what a day! Today, in partnership with the Travelling Post Office Group we hosted our first event at Overton as we work towards the Goods Yard Project.

With only a few weeks to prepare for this event there was plenty to do to make the yard safe and welcoming for our visitors.

Following a shunt yesterday to bring the freight rake down to Overton, the day started with a sunrise over the wagons looking great from the platform.

In the spirit of the VE80 celebrations, Matt had held off repainting his Scarab and Tims trailer, leaving them in RAF livery with a nod to Peterborough.

There was then plenty to see and do in the yard, with staff getting in the spirit and dressing up. Stu and Josh had brought their Hornby tinplate set and put together a shunt puzzle, the TPO boys were demonstrating the coaches and running pump trolley experiences, Tim was demonstrating coupling and braking wagons, Matt was accompanying his Scarab in RAF dress, and Mark, Paul, and Jason were dressed as Porters loading and unloading a barrel. Meanwhile, Annika and Alan were looking after our customers and handing out treasure hunts and colouring sheets.

A great day was had by all, with plenty of happy staff and customers. Towards the end of the day we were even joined by a special guest, as A1 No 60163 ‘Tornado’ made an appearance.

Tomorrow we will do it all again, so we hope to see you at Overton.