Another mixed roundup of news from the T& department to mark the first full week back at work…

Below: Whilst Sheffield 264’s overhaul reaches its closing stages, Gateshead 10’s is just beginning.  Following a meeting with the team who will manage and carry out the work, the tram underwent some de-commissioning testing before being placed over the pit for dismantling to commence.  New tyres have been on order for some time and the aim is to have the wheelsets delivered to Boston Lodge on the Ffestiniog Railway in February.

Below: Over in Road 1, many coats of paint are being applied to Sheffield 264 as the depth is built up to achieve the desired finish.

Below: The upper deck side panels are currently receiving the most attention, as seen here.

Below: The electrical work was completed last Thursday evening, Les Brunton reporting that it was now signed off, and attaching this photograph to prove it!  The temporary lights on the balconies are those which go inside the destination boxes.

Below: Matt B works on the balcony seats for 264, which have required some ‘adjustment’ to return them to their original locations.

Below: Also in the RHEC woodworking area are the completed doors for the Waggonway open coach, seen in aluminium primer.  The pitch pine boards now fitted (in place of plywood) should ensure the long-term durability of the coach.  Timber has arrived for the roof and construction of this will begin shortly.

Below: A very large pile of reconstructed footboard brackets arrived at the end of the week.  These are for the Duke of Sutherland’s coach, 58A, and have been replicated from original drawings of the coach, utilising the L shaped brackets which fit onto the coach solebar, with the tapered legs and forked feet all being new.  Four sets of the L brackets have also been replicated, replacing those removed in 1950.  All of the steps had been modified in order for the coach to move from Dunrobin Castle Station to New Romney, the 8ft. 6in. width over the lower steps clearly giving rise to concern (incidentally, I recall it is the same dimension as a Great Western Railway Toad brakevan – not sure how I know that, but there you go!).

Below: Matt E. has been forging ahead with work on the FR Granite waggon, with the new floor being prepared and painted, the old one entirely removed and various repairs undertaken on the structure.  A programme of work towards completion has been circulated, with April’s steam fair a reasonable target…

Samson

Below: We’ll see quite a bit more on Samson this week, so here is one photograph of the assembled engine as it awaits its first fire…

From the archives

Julian Harrup came across these images recently and thought they might be of interest – they are, and two are very topical!

Below: These views show our 1928 Austin 20 hearse, the first being the official coachbuilder’s portrait, the second showing it in its working phase at Beamish.  It may be recalled that the engine for this vehicle is currently being rebuilt.

Below: A rare appearance of the Lister Autrotruck after restoration.  It now carries an engine/generator set and sees little use other than at transport events.  I’m updating the stocklist pages on the blog (slowly!) so these two will appear there in due course and with more details.  This is all pending a comprehensive stockbook that I am planning to write, just not sure when!