Andy Basnett called in today and brought the following photographs showing his restoration of the Hodbarrow side tipper body to date.

Below: The platework was considered beyond repair so has been replaced though most of the strapping has been recovered and reused. This part is one of the corner straps which includes a relief for the door catch as well as the locating point for the door hinge. At around the point of the relief (the kinked bit), the metal needed replacing…

Below: Metal, heated and ready for joining to make the repair (original to the right).

Below: The completed piece, fitted to the body and with the catch in place for the door.

Below: An overall view of the body from the non-door side.

Below: A view from the door side.

Below: A view inside the body. Beneath this the locating ribs which sit on the cast supports have corroded badly and will require a mixture of replacement and repair.

Meanwhile, the cast supporting brackets/stanchions and other ironwork have been sent for shot-blasting and are due to return soon for painting and fitting to the wooden chassis. The waggon can then be wheeled and readied for the return of the body after which a few detail items remain and final painting – I am still hopeful we can complete the project by the April Great North Steam Fair…