Wagon Group Update

A brief wagon news update is now available on the Wagon Group website:

http://nvrwagons.wordpress.com/news-blog/

More Mk1 Progress

Over the last couple of weeks the ventilators have been reinstated on the freshly-painted roof of BR Mk1 SK E25347.


Despite appearances these vents are brand new replica items, not repainted originals.


The full extent of the roof, showing the large number of vents required per carriage.


Each of these is a work of art, handcrafted with incredible skill by Karl, one of our full-time carriage restorers and expert 'metal basher'.


The Class 107 DMU has now been removed from the railway - here is the centre car in failing light, which is/was the last vehicle of the 3-car set left on site. This is to also leave shortly (if it hasn't already), presumably to rejoin the two driving cars at another location, although I cannot be sure of this. Personally I'm quite sorry to see it leave, as although it needed quite a bit of work, it was quite an attractive vehicle both inside and out. Sadly it never ran a public train on the NVR under its own power. Having said that the C&W department is a small department, and the question remains as to whether the C&W resources could stretch to maintaining a DMU in addition to the large carriage fleet, many of which require a substantial amount of work.

Speaking of departures, it is also time to say "thank you and goodbye" to Cris Rees, who recently stepped down as NVR General Manager. I will never forget his friendly and encouraging welcome when I first hesitantly stepped into the office to sign up as an active volunteer, and his support when I first mooted the idea of a new NVR Wagon Group which is moving forward with active restoration work. Indeed this blog only exists thanks to his blessing. I very much hope his successor will help the railway accomplish new challenges in the future, onwards and upwards as they say!

Wagon Group Update

The latest wagon news update is now available on the Wagon Group website:

http://nvrwagons.wordpress.com/news-blog/

In the carriage shed...

Happy New Year to you all - apologies for the lack of updates over the hectic festive period, progress is being made on several fronts at the railway but I have not had time to sit down and update the blog! Particularly impressive progress is being made in the carriage shed, the new folding walkway system proving its worth. I am reliably informed it took ONE DAY to put the walkway in place AND strip THE WHOLE ROOF of BR Mk1 SK E25347. I believe this compares to about three days just to erect the previous scaffolding arrangements, let alone undertake any restoration work.


Here are the newly manufactured roof vents for the same coach, mentioned in an earlier posting.


A view taken approximately two weeks ago, the whole roof painted in primer/undercoat and the topcoat going on...


...about one third topcoated, seen here mid-December.


A more recent photo, taken at the end of the coach, just after Christmas. Topcoat completed (I am not sure if there have been/will be one, or two topcoats).


Although some work is required to the sides of this coach (particularly around the windows, which are flush-sided as originally built), these essential works to the roof have made an enormous visual difference and the whole vehicle now looks much smarter in appearance.


Also in the carriage shed, another platform barrow undergoes complete renovation. The timber superstructure is complete and painting has started, although I didn't get a photo of that for some unknown reason. The previously completed barrows and trolleys looked very smart under the canopies erected for the 'Santa Specials'.