Tuesday 15th - Very quiet

After a great week in north Norfolk I was looking forward to returning to the Works, especially as Alex had sent me a lengthy email updating me on what had been done, what needed doing, and forthcoming vehicle movements within the Works. The latter includes 2807 coming into the Paintshop for its repaint into wartime black, and after the autumn gala 3850 for further painting.

Unfortunately a bad cold rapidly developed so there was no way I would attend on Tuesday. As such all the photos have kindly been taken by Paul E. It was a very quiet day with just 7 attending.

I usually give Maurice a lift to and from the Works, but with me away he cycled to Racecourse Station and then caught the train to Winchcombe. 

Beginning with MICA van progress, attention is now concentrated on the Cotswold side which is mainly being rebuilt. Some of the old main battens have been retained if they are thought still to be of use. Chris offers up a new main batten.

The next set of planks being primed by Keith.

Maurice helps with the top plank at the south part.

Good progress with 8 planks now fitted.

There are screw holes to fill at the south end of the van.

Another plank being cut by Robert.

Back to painting with another part of the Open C wagon being undercoated. The paint delivery for the Wagon Team had also been picked up from Churchward House, our HQ in the station car park.

Varnishing too with another of TK 24006's compartment doors.

And talking of varnishing, will we get SO 4790 completed before it goes out on Saturday? Richard second coated all the inner window sections on the Cotswold side. This side has had two coats of varnish all over and is now complete.

He then lightly sanded the cream panels on the Malvern side ready for a second coat of varnish. I must get back in on Thursday and get this finished.

It looks like Dave has given Richard and Keith a tour of FO 3127.  Quite a bit of restoration needed here. It will be a lengthy job but it will be lovely to see this coach fully restored with new internal panelling where needed, reupholstered with horse chestnutleaf moquette, repainted in Crimson & Cream and running in Rake 2.

Monday 14th - Another Bionic Team Member

 Most important today is that Nigel is back, looking well after a very successful hip replacement. His first week was last week, but we were unable to make it.

So 13 of us today. Not unlucky as we get most things done by 11:30, with just mopping being done by a few.

As usual the Outside Team were hard at work by the time we arrived .Paul, Tim and Peter. Very shortly after joined by David.

After the work was done we see Steve, Roger C. Val and Nigel.

And Greg, Lynn and Kath.

The only other person to escape the camera was Jane, but it was good seeing the photo of her in her Toastmaster's outfit from a  big recent event at The Mansion House in London. Toastmaster in front of the Lord Mayor of London to carriage cleaner (and cook on train 1), very versatile!

Saturday 12th - A very productive day

 A very satisfying day with good progress made on all vehicles undergoing work.

Starting off with the Mica today, more planks went on the end. This was a real challenge as there's a bit of a bulge this end that we couldn't really do anything about, so the planks had to be bent round it!

By the end of the day though the South end was done, well done guys! The rest should be easy compared to this...

Although Robert looked a bit puffed in the previous photo, he also sorted out some more of the heavy timber battens to screw the side planks onto on the Cotswold side. Hopefully we can start to get some planks on this side too soon.

And with John back on handrail bending it won't be long before these can go on too. Today he was doing the kink that takes the rails over the vent, with Stuart providing the heat. Just the big loops at the top and a corner at the bottom to put in now.

4790 is approaching completion, it's being evicted next Saturday, hopefully we'll have it finished by then. Phil went along the Malvern side to give the window frames a coat of varnish.

While Jeff went round with the little brushes with various bits that needed a bit more paint, here a droplight bar that had been missed.

Some visual progress on the RBr, hurrah! Laura and Helen get to grips with curtains for the saloon, these will make a real difference.

Phil was a bit further ahead putting the curtain rails in.

Pam did a bit more top-coating in the electrical cupboard.

Phil and Chris were also looking at the radiators in the corridor again

With some more wooden supports being made by Chris,

Into the barn then and the FK which has found its way onto the jack road. James put some red oxide on the door hinges after doing some work on this door.

Ben was working on some bits for a door liner...

Does it fit? Maybe...

Meanwhile Alan was on capping strips, welding one up on the workbench

Before fitting to the coach.

With 2 weeks to go before the Autumn Showcase, the third rake was properly put together by the dirty gang.

In other train watching news 3850 was back out and about, now with steam heating capability, definitely necessary today.

Back inside, and 4798 saw a lot of activity today, as the corridor connection was coming off on the South end, which we suspected to be quite rusty. Ken undoes all the bits that need undoing.

Blink (or do some signwriting in the paintshop) and you miss it! Now hanging on the gantry.

James and Andy remove the support timbers, these are actually in quite good condition, we may even be able to reuse them. The corners of this end both sides are definitely very rusty though.

Ignoring all the heavy action, at the other end Simon was getting on well with reinstating the internal woodwork, it won't be long before this first quarter is done.

Lastly for today, outside Dave and Richard were tending a little to the new FO, to stop the rust getting any worse. The paint has flaked quite badly along the waistline and this was a particular trap point for water. So Dave sanded it all back

And Richard followed along behind with the green primer.

North Norfolk Railway - a bit more

RESPONSE TO COMMENTS

Many thanks for the very kind compliments following my main post on Tuesday. 

Thanks also for pointing out my typo with TSO 4843 - the correction has now been made. Ironically I had taken a photo of the numbers to add to the two photos comparing the lining out colouring, but decided not to include them.

Sir Cador suggested the setting up of another series page entitled "Other Railways" to list postings such as Tuesday's one on the NNR. There have been a number of these since the blog started in September 2020. Sometimes however photos from a visit to another railway have simply been appended to a routine post, so presumably would have to be excluded. I will have a chat to Alex about this idea.

I agree that many of the coaches are in exceptional condition. They ride well, the external painting is very good, and the interiors immaculate.

The lottery funded carriage sheds near Holt where the Quadarts are stored along with the 4 and 6 wheeled period coaches. I talked to the guard on the DMU and he confirmed this.

The photo below was taken in May when the 4 and 6 wheelers were stabled at Sheringham.

We didn't have time to visit the Museum, but were able to do so in May. It is very good.

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THE SUBURBAN SET

A little more on this lovely restored rake.

Number	Built for	Type	Built
E43041	British Railways	Mk1 CL	1954
E43357	British Railways	Mk1 BT	1955
E46139	British Railways	Mk1 T	1954
E48001	British Railways	Mk1 TLO	1955

Designations:-

CL - Composite Lavatory

BT - Brake Third

T - Third

TLO - Third Lavatory Open

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WEDNESDAY

Once again walking past Sheringham Station, an opportunity for some more photos.

On the foot crossing just before reaching the main road to the sea front.

After our walk to the sea front we got back to the station just as the last train of the day pulled in behind 4277.

The run round before returning to the shed at Weybourne. The coaches would remain in the station ready for the next day.

The rake has been strengthened to 6 coaches by the inclusion of the Gresley RB and the CCT.

The station frontage.

Two views from the road bridge. The Crimson & Cream set looks good. In the front is 08 shunter D3935.

 

The opposite view with the sidings on the left, a perfect location in which to stable coach sets during galas.

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THURSDAY

This turned out to be an unplanned bonus day on the railway, or afternoon to be precise, and gave us the opportunity to ride on the DMU. 

We started this time from Holt on a reasonably filled train.

Passing the carriage shed for the Quadarts and other period vehicles.

Sheringham sidings with an unrestored BG.

Class 08 D3935 at the head of the Crimson & Cream set.

Arriving at Sheringham, and with most passengers now gone, a chance to photograph privately owned Class 104 56182 in immaculate condition.

The 1st Class section is in Dark Charcoal Check moquette, while the Second Class is in Bournemouth Blue. 

We opted for sitting in the seat immediately behind the cab, which offers a great view of the line and very enjoyable, even when it is the rear of the train.

Leaving the station and under the roadbridge.

Passing the loop sidings on the right.

Over the coast road bridge.

Lineside clearance.

Nearing Weybourne with the Quadarts still out after the gala weekend.

The well filled main train pulls into the station on its return to Sheringham. 

Leaving Weybourne.

Passing Kelling Heath Halt, a request stop.

Passing the special sheds for the Quadarts and 4 and 6 wheel period coaches.

The freight train stabled near Holt.

Entering Holt Station - journey's end.

The other end of the DMU -  privately owned Class 101 51188.

On our second trip to Sheringham we got off at Weybourne so that we could transfer to the main train on its final round trip.

From the footbridge the view over the loco yard.

4277 steams in with the last train to Holt.

Gresley RB E9128E provided the buffet facility on the train.

[Photo : Louise C.]  4277 from platform level.

We returned to Holt and, after the loco runaround and wait time (this allowed the DMU to return to Weybourne loco yard from Sheringham), we began  the final run to Sheringham where we were picked up to return to where we were staying. The weather even cleared up a bit. 

Overall it was a good way to spend a cold and often wet afternoon, and round off a great railway experience. We have again been very impressed with the NNR, a lovely railway that will be great to return to. Hopefully that won't be too long a wait.

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Apologies for there being no C & W postings this week. Roger was unable to attend the Monday Carriage Cleaning at Toddington, and with both Nick and myself on holiday, there is nothing for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Hopefully this Norfolk interlude has made up for it.