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28th March 2016


With the Thomas event just round the corner and with the requirement for the maximum number of sets in traffic at Llangollen work has been centred on completing the jobs that are in the workshop.


The Class 108's B Exam has been completed and the team are now working their way through the defects that have been found. Much time has gone into the plumbing on 54490 where there were leaks in the ceiling and also on the pipe that feeds the toilet flush. There are obviously more leaks which show up when the tank is full and that will have to wait until another day for us to sort out.


Class 108

The upgraded seating for the Class 104 DMC 50528 was completed and fitted while the lamp brackets were refitted onto Class 108 Driving Trailer 56223. These had been removed during the time that the front end was under rebuild.


Butterley has seen yet more rapid progress with the Gloucester 100 set. The centre section on the driver's side of power car 51118 is now substantially complete and so work has moved on to the guard's van area which is being stripped down to see what condition the structure is in. More flooring sheets have been laid inside Driving Trailer 56097 with the result that the floor is more than half done.


Class 100
Class 100
Class 100

21st March 2016


At Llangollen excellent progress has been made with the two jobs that are in the workshop at the moment.


All but two of the refurbished seats for Class 104 50528 were reassembled and fitted in the vehicle on Sunday. Refurbished light fittings and a new fire extinguisher strap were also fitted.


Class 104
Class 104

The 108's 'B-Exam' is now almost complete with only a few minor items left to do. Some minor faults were discovered, a pair of window scissors need attention, one of the steps is loose and a gearbox oil leak requires investigation.


Class 108

Substantial progress has been made at Butterley with the Gloucester power car 51118 with the framing now completely rebuilt in the centre section on the driver's side. All new cross members have been inserted as have two body uprights, with the rest having been repaired. The lower body skirt has also now been welded into place.


Class 100

A start has been made on fitting the floor in trailer 56097 with the first three sheets now in place.


Class 100

14th March 2016


A set of newly manufactured curtain tie-backs where fitted to 56223 in the first class saloon, this should improve the view for our first class passengers when they wish the curtains to be fully open. The rear ceiling in 50528 received a coat of gloss, and three of our members spent several happy hours reassembling the newly delivered seat parts.


Class 109

The hand of God was sadly lacking from the yard, so a large shunt round was required to get the units into the right order for the next week of running. Two of the units also had a top up at the fuel pump. The Wickham had a wash down ready for the weeks service ahead.


Class 109

Over at Butterly the wiring for the Gloucester Trailer car lighting has been finished off and tested. The next job will be to run wires for the Public Address system. Welding work has continued on the power car, and we hope to have pictures of the progress ready for next weeks update.


7th March 2016


There's been an effort at Llangollen this week to sort out some of the doors on the Wickham unit that have been sticking of late. The problem arose when the unit was stored outside for a protracted period at the beginning of the winter. Surprisingly the biggest issue has been the swelling of some of the internal decorative timbers. A number of careful adjustments have been made which involved planing and revarnishing components and should ensure that when the set re-enters traffic for the summer the doors will not stick.


Class 109

The refurbished seats for Class 104 50528 have arrived back at Pentrefelin with the powder-coated frames coming from Huddersfield and the cushions and backs from the trimmers in Ripley, Derbyshire. These are currently stored in the brake and will be built back up and fitted over the coming weeks.


Class 104

At Butterley work is proceeding on Gloucester Driving Motor Brake 51118. All the solebar repairs that were necessary in the centre section of the driver's side have now been completed and two of the body uprights have been repaired. A repair strip has also been let in down the side of the saloon floor where it joins the solebar. The fabricator has manufactured all the body panels for this section as well as two new body uprights and these were delivered to the workshop on Thursday.


Class 100

Although trailer 56097 is now outside some work has continued. The wiring for the saloon lights along with the bulb holders is now all in place, the toilet ventilator has been reconditioned and fitted and some preparatory work has been done for fitting the new wooden flooring.


Class 100

It has been very quiet on the operational front with the only movement being the use of the 141 for a special working at the Midland Railway on Thursday when it was used to convey an inspection party of VIPs.