In 56456 work has continued with cutting, measuring, and fitting ceiling panels. Working towards the back of the vehicle carrying on from where the panels have already been fitted in first class.
A new set of steps which are being manufactured to access one of the stores VJX, have recieved a coat of paint.
One of our members was installed under 51933 in order to change the fuel pump on the no 1 engine. In the process the fuel filters were renewed while it was easy to do. After this the throttles where adjusted, on both no 1, and no 2 engine. All of this has elimanted the rather alarming knock when the no 1 engine was started, and means the throttles now work sensibly in all positions!
M exam work continued on the 108 set, with liberal amounts of oil adding to various components. A faulty droplight in 51933, which was striking a metal strengthener inside the door was also dealt with, with some help from a grinder.
Finally the 104 was washed ready to work in service on the first day of the 2019 operating season.
On Sunday a large group set into various jobs. One member continued tackling the roof on 56223, using a wire brush to clear out years of paint from the gutters. The rest of the team set into work on the new 108.
The broken hand throttle cables where exchanged for a new set. The fan belts changed for a matching set. Various bits and pieces where greased and signed off on the M exam paperwork. Both cabs received a good dose of electrical attention with various switches and indicators changed for new ones.
The most exciting part of the day was, in the fading light, taking the new set on a shake down run to the outskirts of Glyndyfrdwy. All is well, though a few things need some minor adjustments.
On Monday a smaller team continued work on the roof of 56223, which is now finally ready for painting. While the under-frame on the drivers side now gleams in chassis black.
The big news this week has been the welcoming of two new vehicles to the Llangollen Railcars fleet. Class 108 DMBS 51933, and DTCL 54504 (56504) have been moved to Llangollen from the Swanage railway, and we hope to have the vehicles into service early on in the season.
After arrival by low loader, and some help from the MPD staff and the 08 shunter, the 104 was used to move the set down to Pentrefelin ready for an M exam prior to commisioning. To ease this process the set was moved under its own power to just outside of the shed.
A vast number of jobs where undertaken by the team over the weekend. The antifreeze level was checked, broken hand throttles replaced, a broken window removed ready for replacement, and various parts of the M exam undertaken. Various electrical jobs where also undertaken in the trailer car to solve two earth faults. A missing glass partition was also measured up so an order can be placed.
One unusual feature of this set is the fitting of Webasto heaters, as can be seen in the cabs with the control box mounted on the secondmans side.
