DOCJACOB

Bit more work before enlisting the help of a better joiner than me. Firstly tided up some more metal work, and yes I've just noticed the lamp brackets at both end are different. The one removed was pretty stubborn and needed a serious bit of "welly" and a "drift" to free the bolts. The sheet metal was painful to look at so had to have a bit of a tidy up to. Finally to finish the day the job I didn't really want to do, especially as was on my own was the removal of the ducket. Securely roped initially while bolts removed and then prised away from the gasket material. By now I had ruled up some helpers and we lowered the ducket to the ground. Not 100% sure if this will be used as a template for 2 new ones or a tidy up beckons. While all this was going on outside the P-Way chaps had got stuck into track relaying so it will be possible to do brake van rides, assuming, of course, the brake van has been suitably resurrected.

Only ever seen 2 images of the Radials in the Highlands. One recent published I think at Fortrose in BackTrack and the other in R D Stephen collection of LSWR Radial at Blair Atholl 8/21 with a NER Fletcher 0-4-4 in tow as they return South

By a strange coincidence I found some images of my Project 65 race to Pegasus Bridge in an obscure file in one of my work hard drives. There is a loose railway connection as part of the run was on what is now the Castleman Trail The images brought back some great memories. The 2 here are; me at the compulsory circa 1/2 way stop at 35 miles I forget the pub that it was though looking very "chipper" despite already been running for about 6 hours. The other is taken inside Cafe Gondree, the first house liberated in France on D Day. With me are Harry a veteran from the raid who had met Doc Jacob for real when he tended a wounded friend and Jonathan who hooked up with me for the last 31 miles. Down to business proper. Was on my own again so firstly cleaned up and painted a number of handrails. Had goggles, mask etc on as no idea what crud was grinding off. Next job was the windows in the ducket. One is plate glass and the other perspex . They appear different sizes for reasons I can't understand, especially as the frames measure the same. Guess just lucky the glass hadn't fallen out! The underneath image is from the vans previous life

Bit lazy this W/E as slept in. I blame a dreadful finish to the week at work and a very pleasant cider from Tesco. Strange in my job as a Dr the dreadful finish had nothing to do with patients just the insane lunacy of NHS management and politics. Rant over. Friday did have another saving grace though as 5 years ago i ran my one and only ultra marathon race. 65 miles in just over 12 and 1/2 hours; Tarrant Rushton airfield to Portsmouth, ferry journey and a gentle to jog up to Pegasus Bridge arriving at just after midnight on D Day' sort of like the members of Operation Deadstick. All runners for Project 65 got a named t shirt as they represented one of the assault team. As the only genuine doctor mad enough to do it I had the honour to represent Dr Jacob Vaughan the only RAMC officer in the assault party. In the film Longest Day he arrives late in the assault from the wrong side of the canal. In his book he describes the same moment and admits the area was full of "irritatingly hostile Germans" Anyway late start meant little done. Was given some special "magic juice" from the coach repairers and the bolts on the ducket virtually fell off. Sawed off the last of the planking rather than rip if off, tided up and then did some painting

Thanks for the comments and taking time to follow the thread. Happy to consider a name change; trials and tribulations of a very amateur wagon restorer? or Wagons to cherish?? Thanks also to MS for the proper explanation, must have been a substantial bit of work as each footplate bracket had been shortened by at least 1 inch, holes drilled and new wood attached. Taken Boris idea re splicing, welding and angle iron on board as we had come up with sort of similar ideas ourselves. Note the plural as I do get more interest and help now which is really nice. The latest was a bit "tonque in cheek" though as he wondered if a bit of filler would sort the holes in the wood. Rodent nest score is currently 4

Thanks for that suggestion regarding the splicing. We (I'm not on my lonesome anymore) had already thought about the reinforcing issue and come up with a sort of similar idea. Interested to hear more regarding your comments re "original features"

Much better day today and managed a few hours before going home to see my "helper" and his new friend. We had a new angle grinder and between that, nut splitter and brute force we managed to get some of the handrails removed. This meant some of the cladding came off next. The current plan is to repair/splice the lower timbers before tackling the top as some of the wood is so rotten that its removal may affect the structural integrity. As regards the footsteps I think the reason for narrowing them was something to do with MGR unloading facilities and as a consequence trying to widen them is going to be a massive amount of work. The trick will be the same as that used by BR and mount the riser part of the footstep between the individual brackets.

Strange sort of day. Firstly arrived to find the wood has been delivered. I guessed full 24 foot lengths would be a tall order but I can't complain at such speed. Additionally all the paint has arrived too. However a more odd issue has arisen and I have to take 100% responsibility for. The footstep brackets at some point have been narrowed by 1 inch each side and the holes re drilled, and yes they are different (10mm and 12mm respectively). Additionally a point I didn't fully understand/grasp when demolishing the foot steps was the riser part of the foot step was mounted in sections between the brackets. Consequently the tread part of the footstep was moved inwards by another 1 inch. This would result in narrowing the width of the wagon by 2 inches each side, and overall 4 inches. Solution is either one bolt per bracket or more correctly weld up inboard hole and re-drill. As a consequence of this mega change i fitted some temporary steps at one end. Anyone with a better understanding of MGR wagon unloading/loading facilities explain please? Some of the Thursday crew cleared out the rotten timber and the full enormity is dawning. 3 footstep brackets are bent and it took 4 hours to remove them. Visible in the image is the medium sized "attitude adjustment" tool. The access difficulties prevented the use of anything bigger. Finally plan B ensued and a length of scaffolding pole was slotted over a ring spanner. More amazing than freeing the bolts was the spanner has survived unscathed for another day. You will logically ask why I didn't use an angle grinder but that just plain "died" at the start of work and will be going to electrical tool heaven. Told you strange sort of day.

The chaps had a very big shunt around last Sunday and the next challenge has arrived in the shed. Thanks to Boris for the advice and I have to admit this will only be my second wagon resurrection. But as I well remember convincing my self while running my 65 mile ultra marathon race each step taken was one step nearer the finish and thus in a similar vein all resurrections have to start somewhere. In this case it will be the steps if only to improve access to the interior. I also spent a long time getting lots of detail digital photographs so i have a sort of reference data base. Grain wagon is now in the head shunt with some other likely candidates. A large selection of images; The LMS Brake van and the LNER Plate wagon (nice shade of yellow) were the other candidates for resurrection. A number of few inside images, regrettably the smell can't be recreated as the upholstery was soaking wet. Finally to make myself feel a bit better I painted a small bit in anticipation of the wood arriving for the steps.

Apologies as been a bit remiss on the update front. Partly this has been to my weekends being taken up driving to Peak District where my daughter has been doing her Duke of Edinburgh hikes and gardening duties. In between I've managed a few minutes at Ludborough and the wagons. The Grain Wagon finally and permanently came out of the shed for a photographic charter. The blue rope holding the door has gone and in anticipation of the replacement door latch arriving I've sealed the hatch up for the time being. She is thus 99% completed needing sign writing only. I couldn't get an image today as she was hitched to the P-way wagons and to far away for me to tramp. First job was replacing a step on the Catfish Ballast Wagon that was effectively wrecked. Having got a nice white step caused more problems and I guess a full repaint will now have to be done! Amazing how jobs just grow and grow. During my absence we have a new arrival in the shape of a Walrus. Bit of oiling for 2 axle boxes, the other 6 were fine and a generous dollop down the oil pipes to the bogie pivot. These are just visible on the solebars of the close up image of the bogie. Obviously as the Grain Wagon is out, a new project is required and it is the BR Brake Van. As you can see not a quick project/fix.

Nearly right Found the reference; NER Brake Vans, Railway Bylines Special, I G Sadler 2003 1920's shortage of brake vans on NER resulted in 20 being borrowed from GWR. Article lists numbers and alterations required. Loan lasted approximately one year but no photographic evidence has come to light. There's a oddity for the modellers

In response to earlier comment regarding not "straying far" I vaquely remember seeing an article in a book about NER brake vans and in passing it mentioned that some GWR versions were borrowed during the First World war. I guess that they needed some work to meet gauge restrictions. Will do some digging when get home later.

A very humble offering of 2 rather poor quality images. Date 2/1/1982 No more explanation other than a young man and his dodgy camera found Craigentinny footpath was busy but it was nothing nothing compared to the suburban platform at Waverley that day.

Agree with Bedders though I have a slightly different perspective. Do you mean NBR J 36 locomotives as from my recollection the furthest south they got during WW2 was Malton NorthYorkshire where they worked on local goods traffic

Long time ago when did some 4mm made one of these chaps. 100% agree the white metal chassis was dire but as I recall sweated 2 pieces of brass together and used the white metal chassis as template for frame shape and axle holes etc Lots of shaping and sawing and then un-sweated two sides with relevant holes in appropriate places. Used the original white metal blobs included in the kit to space the frames. Clearly not museum quality but quite acceptable at the time One other issue from memory is the shape of cab side lining varied between locomotives. Some rectangular, some following coupling rod slasher. Currently half asleep so can't remember which was Cowlairs and which Inverurie. Otherwise a very nice build

Also Grimsby Corporation Tram Depot, currently Bus Depot and small section tram track still present. The depot at Pyewipe was in existence till recently too

Fairly busy day, especially as it appears her first full public outing will be at the Easter Gala. I did have a "helper" with me today though I think "helper" is a relative term! Firstly time to scub up some of the spares we have. Secondly I felt the need for something a bit wider than a couple of scaffolding planks so knocked this up. I will still have to use scaffolding planks as the ends need sorted and its the best solution to get at the higher sections above the ventilator hood. The ends now look awful but it was the only way to shorten and prime some of the bolts. I even needed to remove the ventilator hood for some of the "hard to get at ones" Still its only temporary and next week it will be repair the patchwork paint and tackle the other end. The good news is the missing hopper operating wheel for the door side of the van turned up. The non door side was painted in situ.

First full day in our new home and it was great. As you can see our Golden Doodle (50/50 mix of Golden retriever and Poodle) had a not so great day at the dog groomer. He is a complete "weed" and has "issues" especially when compared to my late lamented Chocolate Labrador who was a total lout and did a good impression of an industrial hoover on legs. Mind you I probably don't help as after this severe haircut he reminds be of Dobby from Harry Potter Enough and on to business. To answer an earlier post I've sorted the brake rods and while not perfect they are a lot better than before. First job of the day was to make some staging up. Currently that is all pre-drilled and just need some bolts purchasing and installing because amazingly there was nothing suitable to find in the stores van. While in the en-route to the stores van struck lucky and found a "mint" shunters pole in the undergrowth to match/go with the hook in my garage Took advantage of the improved access and primed and undercoated the top edge of the van. The roof felt will be finished off with white masonry paint. This was the normally difficult to access side that normally faces away from the public and really needed tidying up. Been given a deadline as it is wanted for a photographic charter; really fancy full LNER spec.

Very well spotted and I noticed it as I was taking it apart after the photo. I have (honestly ) done a dry run correctly .

Quite a major change for this week as we are now under cover in a section of the carriage shed. This was unexpected. As the weather was windy and I didn't fancy working outside I had left my tools at home! There are now no excuses not get cracking next week. I spent the day though retrieving more brake gear and various other spares for refurbishing prior to the arrival of the promised shelving. We have two types of push rods either metal bushes holding the sides apart or 3 inch by 2 3/4 inch timber baulks. The metal ones rust solid, the wooden ones swell, rot and then rust you pays your money and takes your choice. The Grain wagon actually has both types. While in retrieval mode I found 3 brake rods (i.e. 6 sides) 4 bushes and a lot of rust. While some more scrounging found wood that had been used for concrete shuttering oddly 2 3/4 inches by 11/2 inches. A plan was hatching as we had 7 holes in the 3 brake rods. Off to the garage and first job was hack the sides apart, screw 2 pieces of wood (54 inches long) together to form the requisite size spacer and then drill suitable sized pilot holes and then finish with the pillar drill. These were quite substantial holes to fit the1/2 inch bolts and the chuck on my drill was pretty much at its maximum. The final image is the longest rod re-assembled as a "dry run" Over the next few days a serious clean up and paint is in order.

Again been a bit of a lax weekend, firstly had to take my wife and youngest to a shop near Lincoln for a "prom dress,"only high point (for me) was seeing the restored Vulcan en-route. Grudgingly dragged into the shop and did nothing for my credit rating when suggested we could improve the experience with a large TV screen and a mini bar. Drove home and had to secondly suffer the match at Murrayfield. Finally became too much/painful to endure and went to hide in the garage. I had semi anticipated this turn of events so had brought some of the spare brake gear home for sprucing up. The evidence is before and after a tidy up and lick of paint. Also visible the odd pin and shunter hook (awaiting new wooden handle) Sunday will be on time-keeping duty for the Grimsby Triathlon Club "aquathon" Given the weather a nice 400m swim followed by 3 mile run to blow the cobwebs away!

Not much time to play today I'm afraid as the bedroom needs decorating. The capping on the LMS Pipe wagon, that we use as a coal bunker, needed re-attaching. This has been discussed on another part of the forum recently. There are 4 sections to each side (separated by the door obviously) and they have either 2 or 4 U sections to aid keeping the capping in place. Thus I put 3 on the bit i did just cos I felt like being different and apart from that only had 3 suitable bolts. Rivit counters of the world please note! The chamfering of the capping strip next to the door edge is something I hadn't spotted before. Hopefully the images make it all clear. Loaded up the car with some spare brake gear needing refurbishment so that'll be my homework along with the shunters hook (minus handle) for this week.

You may want to look in the Preservation Forum at the thread LNER Grain Wagon as i did exactly what you were discussing this AM

Thanks for the comment Boris, one of the older members reckons he can un-bend it and was even thinking, with my help, of having a go (heat +++ and bend back to shape) in-situ. I wasn't 100% convinced as its both bent and twisted, hence the change. Still waiting for the other two's promised move so may take you up on that? Thanks for the comment Boris, one of the older members reckons he can un-bend it and was even thinking, with my help, of having a go (heat +++ and bend back to shape) in-situ. I wasn't 100% convinced as its both bent and twisted, hence the change. Still waiting for the other two's promised move so may take you up on that?

Not much to report this week. Following the big shunt we found ourselves in a new bit of the siding. The good news is I finally swapped the damaged bit of brake gear, the bad news is a) the damaged one put up valiant resistance B) I had the unpleasant job having to stand in a large puddle while working. I think I had underestimated the damage and as proof I enclose one image. Next job was the destination label clips Finally "Fulstow" 0-4-0 Peckett was being warmed up and thus the coal wagon and water tank were easily accessible for oiling. I think there is a theme developing here?