NVR Wagon Group

Another great turnout saw more progress at Wansford with the vac fitting. The ‘A-Team’ were kept busy overhauling cylinders in the shed, whilst the ‘B-Team’ were outside dropping cylinders off the remaining vans that still have cylinders under. There were several comments made about Tim’s distinction of teams, to which he made some derogatory remarks about ‘pitying the fool, who complaints’!

The main focus was van B761651, which is lettered ‘Fruit’. This van will be a great addition to a small passenger set. The B-Team first had to remove both brake handles and some of the brake rigging to access the brake cylinder. The tie-bar also had to come off, so Chris, Stu, Josh, Colin, and Gareth had plenty of split pins to knock out and bolts to undo. Once this was achieved the inside of the cylinder was removed to reduce the weight and make things easier to lift. By lunchtime the cylinder was out and time for a tea-break!

Meanwhile, the A-Team were overhauling cylinders and by lunchtime had a fresh vacuum cylinder ready to fit under B761651. Paul gave some guidance to Jason, Al, Mark, and Jon in the importance of a clean casing, before a new rubber ring and sealing ring were fitted and the cylinder wheeled outside.

As an extra little job, Tim put his teachers hat on and taught Mark how to make some 3/8inch studs by turning a thread. These were required for fitting the top hat to the cylinder as some were missing.

Back outside the fun continued with a very useful piece of equipment made by Steve as some homework. It was a shame he wasn’t around for the christening, but the modified trolley jack worked a treat and made lifting the new cylinder into place much easier. By close of play and in failing light, the cylinder was under the van, all fittings tight with split pins and the brake rigging back together. Tim was then very keen to finish the job, so laying on his back in the dark and being passed bits by the team, he fitted the piston rod and gaiter, overhauled valve, and branch pipe.

Inside the workshop, van B768248 had been worked on by the engineering department to build up weld on the horn guides. The work is now complete, but the tie bars needed refitting between the horns. Stu drilled out some bolts for split pins and then refitted the tie bars. This work puts the van back into traffic, but it will remain at Wansford for vac-fitting.

At close of play, B761651 was ready for testing, with Palvan B778810 next to be done with some bolts loosened in preparation, and B768248 back in traffic.

In other news….we are pleased to announce our first driving course of the year. For more details and to book visit –https://nvr.org.uk/product.php/491/dl83-freight-course-new-for-2024/5eaa7b2e18d925e22cdb8b9f0e7930d6

A slightly late update covering the work carried out on Saturday 30th December by the group….

There was a good turnout at Wansford to continue with the vac fitting of the vehicles that are currently in Wansford Yard. We formed into two teams and whilst one team completed the fitting of valves and branch pipes to the two vans that had overhauled cylinders fitted, the other team carried on with overhauling more cylinders. New gaiters and release cords were also fitted to complete the job.

Meanwhile, Tim was busy in the workshop makings some missing parts for the brake gear. One of the vans was missing three flat split pins and had normal split pins fitted as a temporary measure, which was considered unsatisfactory. After a bit of heat and some bending, Tim made a set of four new pins (keeping the original as a pattern).

Also in the workshop was Stu and Josh, making retaining bolts for the cylinder hangers. These needed holes drilled in exactly the right place for a split pin.

Paul led the overhaul team and with the help of Mark and Jason managed to split two cylinders and clean up the insides. These will be assembled during the next session and hopefully fitted.

Then came the moment of truth! We had arranged for a diesel loco to be available to test each van in turn. As these are the first vehicles the group have vac fitted there were a few nerves to see if they would actually work. However, there was success on both counts with both vans passing all tests and furthermore holding full vacuum for at least 45minutes before they had to be moved again.

Whilst we had access to a locomotive and were on a roll, Tim thought it would be good to shunt the two finished vans back into the rake and get the other vehicles that needed work into the yard for the next session.

At the end of a very successful session the next few vehicles were sitting in Wansford Yard ready for attention, with, for the first time, two fully fitted vans back in the rake.

(Apologies that this update is out of sequence!)

Work started on the three vans shunted in to Wansford yard for attention to the vacuum braking systems.

By the end of the session, two cylinders had been removed and moved to the workbench for refurbishment, with two overhauled cylinders ready to fit.

It was more involved than expected, with brake rigging and handles having to be removed to gain sufficient access to the cylinders.

Later, having had the chance to get cleaned up, those who were able met up for the Wagon Group Christmas Meal.

Tim & Steve put in an extra weekday session swapping cylinders on the wagons which had been shunted in to the yard at Wansford as part of the XP Freight project to vac fit the rake, but not before some fortification at the Stibby diner!

Suitably refreshed, they swapped out two of the van vacuum cylinders for refurbished units, although the unavailability of the trolley jack meant removal was a slightly tedious process where they had to split the cylinders, removing the middles and casings separately. Fortunately they were able to call on assistance from Ian Cliff with the telehandler to help lift the refurbished cylinders in to place.

That leaves one more cylinder to be replaced on the wagons already in the yard, and hopefully we can finish that and have a shunt to swap these for some more before the NVR winter track work commences in January.

Steve loves an excuse to fire up Barabel one of the yard shunters…

A touch of mid week work this week as Tim and Phil applied paint, first to the chassis of our future fruit van;

Then to the overhauled vacuum cylinders.

Tim also manufactures hose seals in the week.

Unfortunately, insufficient numbers meant it was not possible to carry out the planned cylinder replacements, those on site were able to blow the train pipe with compressed air and fitted the new hose seals to bags and dummies.

B768248 has also moved into the heavy overhaul building and is ready for repairs to its W irons.

Finally, the overhauled cylinders were brought to Wansford

As indicated last weekend Matt took the removed Release Valves home. As their name suggests they are required to release the vacuum within the cylinder to allow a vehicles automatic brakes to be released for shunting or maintenance purposes.

In the evenings he split the valves, most of which put up a struggle as they have not been split for many years.

Once apart, internal components were cleaned up with particular focus on the seal and diaphragm seatings.

Replacement diaphragms and seals were then fitted.

The valves were reassembled and given a protective coat of Hammerite.

Only four of the five valves have received overhaul as the remaining one is the earlier C type with the piston’s ball valve within the release valve rather than the the common E type that has it in the piston it’s self, this will be held separate as will it’s corresponding cylinder as we wish to standardise the components fitted to the fleet.

Paul and Matt on site at Peterborough today. With an aim to overhaul three vacuum cylinders, the first was in exceptional condition inside, having last been split in Feb 1985, it was very quickly overhauled. New piston gland, rolling ring and, dome seals fitted and the cylinder reassembled.

The second one however was in a rather poor condition, needing additional work, having last been split in May 1982.

Although it was eventually reassembled with new seals and is ready to go.
The third selected was in even worse condition, all is possible but unfortunately time was against us and splitting the cylinder was all that was achieved.

The overhauled pair is now ready for transport to Wansford and fitting to two vans, see which next week.

As the weather begins to deteriorate the chances of progressing wood work and painting get less and less, so we look at our winter project. This being the reinstatement of the automatic braking system on what will become the nucleus of the Foxwell Freighter, our fully fitted express freight train.

So with that our attention turns the the Vans and Conflat within the serviceable rake.
First the release valves were removed from those vehicles with vacuum cylinders (5 out of the 8). These will be taken away by Matt’s as homework.

Next, serviceable vacuum hoses were made up and fitted to all 8 vehicles, That’s 16 hoses, 16 hose couplings and 32 clamps.

Two dummy couplings were also fitted as these were missing and any open pipes and cylinder ports were sealed in preparation for the next session.

A short and sweet update but a fair amount done, in preparation for the next step, see what we achieve next time.

Only a small update this week following the success of our Boston Bucket Bash Photo-charter.

Starting at Peterborough the area around our vehicles in Railworld was tidied up.

Some of the tided wood was used to build a frame, This was transported to Wansford and built up within B494726.

But why? This vehicle is suffering from the usual rotten floor syndrome, unfortunately we do not have the time or the materials to replace the floor at the moment so as a temporary measure, and as a deterrent for people wishing to climb on the vehicle, the frame has been erected to act as a dummy load.

This has then been sheeted with Matt’s BR wagon sheet.

With the final task being to removed the Trade Labels applied to the vans for the charter, before they bleach and damage the wagon paintwork.

This week sees another evening at Wansford Wednesday, our Facebook followers will have already seen.

75006s transformation into a heavily weathered 68070 is complete with the addition of smoke box number and shed plates.

The numbers and crests were trial fitted to 3193 in preparation for its transformation on Sunday 29th.

On the topic of trials, the sudo Boston enamel sign was also complete and test fitted in a number of positions.

On to the weekend and a long day Saturday, Not many images taken as it was all hands to the pumps.

Pad exams and oiling were carried out on the vehicles moving to Wansford soon, these being the Conflat, Palvan, Mackerel and one of the Vanfits for W iron repairs.

Those items within vehicles that needed to remain at Peterborough were moved into another van, the load in the Palvan was also levelled and evenly distributed for its return to traffic.

The signwriting was completed on the South side of the Palvan as well as chassis details and wagon plate.

The majority of the work was focused on the Conflat, not yet mentioned by us is this vehicle will be loaded before the charter with one of Matt’s restored Containers so to facilitate this a floor is required.

First however, the chain pocket sides were manufactured and fitted.

To keep the forecast rain that never appeared away a tarpaulin was set up.

The floor and its retaining strips were then cut, routed and bolted.

With the sun well and truly set the floor was complete. On to Sunday with Matt on site in the afternoon to apply top coat to the chain pocket sides, which was primed last thing Saturday,

The wood preservative also applied Saturday can be seen as well as the completed wood work. Matt also painted the protective plates, close to were the chain pocket lids should be, black.

Some may have noticed we have applied a full length floor covering the chain pockets, more for ease of floor manufacturing, false chain pocket lids will be fitted.

Lettering still to apply, and this will be done next week, after the planned move to Wansford.

So that’s 3 vehicles on their way to the running rake next week. Just in time for our charter, still places and time to book. Two weathered locos representing Boston based J94s.

Matts at it again, Monday afternoon he popped into Peterborough to apply undercoat to the now completed south side doors of the Palvan

The random piece of ply also received a coat of black to its back.

Tuesday evening and more painting, this time assisted by Jason, with a coat of Bauxite and finishing off of the underframe black.

Still at it Wednesday with a touch of homework for Matt, the random ply receiving the first layer of top coat, it may begin to make sense what it’s going to be.

The Fogarty trade poster was created and the first trial poster printed off and “stitched” together. As well as the numbers for 3193 which were sign written on to magnetic sheet.

Second and third coats for the plywood.

Thursday evening saw Tim and Matt making some charter preparations at Wansford. One of the photographic opportunities will see 3193 exiting the Eastern Portal of the Tunnel. A touch of vegetation clearance, the Limited Clearance board was refreshed and the end of the CCT was painted to look “in traffic”. On the day of the charter a tail lamp will be placed on the vehicle to make it look like a train travelling in the opposite direction.

Thursday also saw Tim and Matt give loco 75006 a “wash and brush up” in preparation for its transformation.

It’s the weekend, Matt on site at Wansford with poster paint to hand applying a base coat of black to 75006, this is the start of the heavy weathering.

On to Sunday with Jason also on site assisting Matt. His mission was to clean the cab and make it look as presentable as possible.

Tim popped in with the smoke box door number and shed plates, Some measurements taken as a little adjustment is required, then they will be fitted and weathered.

For Matt applying the livery details, Running number, Route Availability and BR crests. All with poster paint.

As can be seen above a light smear of oil to give the illusion of a little too much water in the tank and once dry more black applied over the details as well as some streaks of lime scale and some other variations in colour.

All of this is of course in perpetration for our Charter on Monday 30th October, proceeds go towards the continued restoration and maintenance of the NVR wagon fleet.

Friday saw our freight experience course, with happy participants driving 37714 visiting from the Great Central Railway, courtesy of the Heavy Tractor Group.

On to Sunday and the big push to complete B778810. First task to manufacture and fit the upper door frame, as the original one has become very rotten.

A new door was also manufactured. A little more complex than a standard pattern van, but rather simple once we had our heads round it.

Once complete it was on to the physical task of hanging it, some lifting and drilling and it was in place, although it’s much easier to write than do.

A little fettling required to get the door to close correctly.

A touch of primer was applied.

The outer door also had its damaged lower section repaired with a new ply sheet spliced in, a new bottom frame and a touch of primer.

Not the only vehicle worked on, B707261 had its floor planks cut to length.

As the light began to fail, the door furniture was fitted, with the lower door bolt drilled and fitted followed by the door bar and it recessed P brackets.

That completes the manufacturing and mechanical work, the next couple of evening will see the completion of the painting for the van to make its debut at our photo charter.

So with that don’t forget our Boston themed Photocharter with visiting Austerity taking on the identity of 40F J94 68018.

In preparation a few bits have been progressed in the back ground, including a large piece of ply which has been trimmed, primed and undercoated, no more information than that at the moment.

Finally it’s to much hard work for some people.