13th January 2010

I called in at Stanegate Restorations and Replicas Ltd in Haltwhistle today to see progress on our bread and chip van restorations. The company is moving into new premises at present and has a number of interesting projects in hand.

Below: Our two vehicles – the chip van (in green) work will commence shortly and will see this iconic ex Spennymoor vehicle fully restored (but not to operating condition!) as part of the development of a coal fired chip shop at Beamish. In the foreground is the bread van.

Below: Also in the works, and very nearly completed, is the Bowes Railway’s Watts Hardy two-plank open wagon – one of those badly damaged in the arson attacks reported on this blog some time ago. The work is superb and the wagon should be back at Bowes in coming weeks.

Below: The forecarriage from the bread van.

Below: The interior of the bread van, with floor removed (itself requiring replacement). This revealed some substantial rot in the frame, despite appearing outwardly sound. New wood has been let in and a seamless joint created. The new floor will be treated, painted and fitted, further adding strength to the vehicle.

Below: Another view of the van. Once the structural work is complete it will be fully repainted to a very high specification. Readers may recall that the intention is to build a bakery at Beamish, for which the bread van will be a roving shop window. Livery will be a deep cream (GW carriage cream!) for the upper half of the body, wheels and underframe, with a deep crimson shade for the lower waist sides. Black edging will complete the livery.

Below: Samples of wood removed showing very localised effects of woodworm – the only section found and now replaced.

Below: A selection of timber samples removed – the outward faces are sound, but this picture shows the hidden surfaces were far from good! The result of water being trapped and the wood being unable to dry out. Again, these sections have been replaced as can be seen in the interior shot earlier.

Below: Meanwhile back at Beamish… Shaun has removed and overhauled the forecarriage from the Tarmac living van. The oak for new cross members on the underside of the chassis is on order so in the meantime he has dismantled the brake gear for needle gunning and relocation (the shoes did not touch the wheels!).

Below: Shaun’s next job will be to overhaul the timber deck from the gallopers – seen here stacked and awaiting his attention – no easy feat as each takes four men to lift!