This weekend was the launch into service of the "new" "green" 108, which arrived with us earlier in the year. We are pleased to say it completed two days of fault free running in multiple with the 104, and 127. The six car set worked both days as part of the railways Peppa Pig event.
We hope to use the 108 on its own later in the year. Watch the website, and Facebook for further details.
During the week, the 108 recieved a dose of fly spray after the heat seemed to disturb some visitors from down South. The ceiling in 51933 was treated to some paint to tidy up a couple of areas.
Various parts of the cab electronics have progessed. The air and axle panel has been fitted and wired in, the cab light switches and deadmans holdover switch fitted, the jumpers on the rear have been refitted and await the wiring the be run. A trial fitting of the desk top has also taken place which awaits a brave soul to cut the holes out for various parts.
It has been a very busy week for the group, operationally at both sites, on routine maintenance, improvement projects to the running fleet, and work on our long term restoration projects.
Work to finish the roof on 56223 took place on Friday, with a coat of gloss paint applied, early on Saturday morning the vehicle was towed outside which revealed the extent of the work undertaken properly for the first time. A tremendous amount of time and effort from many people has gone into taking the roof back to bare metal for; judging by the extend of the paint, the first time in a couple of decades. Painted up, and with the first coat of gloss on the secondmans side; again after much effort from many people to remove a lot of paint, the outward appearance of the vehicle is much improved. The first picture shows the unusual meeting of 51618 and 56223 "cab to cab". The second picture shows the first meeting with the "new" 108.
On Saturday morning a large shunt of the depot took place, in order to form a six car for the approaching Peppa Pig weekend. The opportunity was also taken to refuel the fleet.
The 104 was due an FP exam after running all of the mid week days in March and February. This was rather uneventful other than an a fan belt which was almost cracked through, the pair where changed.
The "new" 108 had the lighting diffuses refitted. The desk in the trailer car was reassembled, it now having a genuine air and axle panel rather than a home brew version. Some wiring changes made in the BIS box where undone, and returned to the standard configuration to prevent further blowing of fuses while in multiple. The heaters have also been changed to a more simple wiring design, and both now function. The missing glass partition in the trailer car was restored, and a certain member will no longer fall over when leaning against it!
The fleet was given a good clean inside and out, it's surprising how dirty vehicles get even when kept inside!
Late on Sunday the six car formation for Peppa was tested, and after ironing out some vacuum and electrical issues it was taken to Goods Junction and back to ensure everything was behaving.
The class 105 restoration has really notched up to a new level this week, with work being done on the vehicle most days. Wiring for the fire-bell, buzzer, half light switch, lighting, and the air and axle panel has been installed across the week. The engine start buttons, and air and axle panel was then wired in at the end of the week. A ceremonial switching on of the saloon lights took place on Friday the 15th!
Progressing in the saloon, two more ceiling panels have been fitted, along with three refurbished light fittings. Four speakers where also fitted into the ceiling. More insulation has been installed into the rear compartment, along with some timber pieces fitted to the floor / wall plate.
At the Midland, a broken washer pipe on the 141 was repaired with new components. A leak on the engine coolant was investigated and various clips tightened which will hopefully cure the problem. A faulty wiper switch was also repaired. The FP exam on the "blue and grey" 108 has also been concluded with the final drives and fan drives being topped up. A cracked windscreen was also measured up for new glass in the 108.
On the Gloucester trailer car, the plywood flooring in the rear saloon was lifted out to allow access to the seat securing plates which had been welded in some time ago. This was to allow measurements and alignments for the two single seats which go in this area to be marked up for later use. Part of the ceiling frame in the cab was drilled ready to receive false rivets in the future. The stock of machine wood was also moved to the areas it will be fitted.
In 56456 the team have pressed on with installing insulation into the roof, and this has now reached well into the rear saloon. Further forward in the vehicle, the first class saloon is now equipped with two refurbished light fittings, and the first of many in the centre saloon have also been installed. A hole for a speaker has also been cut into the first class ceiling, with more to follow.
On the front of 56456 a pair of refurbished jumper sockets have been fitted, and the wires run inside.
On the top of 56223, after many hours spent preparing the roof, a coat of etch primer went on the whole vehicle in a little over five hours. This will be followed up in the week with undercoat.
Getting ready for a debut run in service the new 108 has been treated to a good interior clean with floor, windows, and seat receiving a good dose of attention. An external wash also took place, helped along by the Welsh weather.
The jumper cables where removed at both ends, including the captive ends. These have been cleaned up, and greased which will help in the event they ever need to be changed. The multi unit test box was hooked up and everything appears to be in order. The heater on the trailer car has finally fired up, it seems a bit more fussy on voltage than we would like.
The errant quarter light which was smashed has also been refitted.
