155 – Chasewater Railway Museum Bits & Pieces
From Chasewater News Spring 1993 – Part 1
I’m guessing that the Editor was still Nigel Canning, with contributions from Dave Borthwick and Steve Organ.
Editorial
On the back cover of this magazine (reproduced below) is a copy of the 1993 timetable, and for the first time in the history of the CLR it is actually a timetable rather than just a calendar. It remains to be seen whether the trains will actually run on time, or whether we can stretch the journey time to suit, but at least it will give the operating staff something definite to work to, and hopefully create a more business-like impression for potential passengers. In addition, all the usual special events are planned for this season and will keep us all stretched to the limit. If anyone would like to help out at any of these events they would be most welcome.
Locomotive News
No.4 Asbestos – This loco ran successfully at Christmas on the Santa Specials, and will continue in use this year. In order to guarantee a water supply for the loco in the event of frost, the water tower had to be put back into use, a job which required the removal of a large amount of green slimy pond weed and the fitting of two new plastic floats to the supply valves, hopefully early this year the long-missing balance pipe will be fitted to Asbestos’ saddle tank thus helping to prolong the interval between top-ups.
No.5 Sentinel – The two halves of the boiler have now been cleaned and await a visit from the Boiler Inspector when a decision will be made as to whether a new set of tubes will be required. Work has progressed with the moving of the injector to the fireman’s side of the cab and re-routing of all the water and steam pipes to make them more easily drainable in frosty weather. Work is also being carried out to refurbish various steam fittings which had been leaking towards the end of last year.
Sentinel – Jan 2012 – Now heading for completion of the major inspection following the one written about. It had a good ten years running in between.
No.2 Lion – This loco is still progressing towards its first steam test with the continued manufacture of replacement pipework. Work has also been carried out to repair a turbo generator which is to be fitted to the loco to provide cab lighting and battery charging for the coaching stock.
Work is still progressing, albeit slowly, on S100.
S100 – 2011 A lot of work has gone into this loco over the last few years but there is still a lot of boiler work to be done.
The Fowler diesel has again remained in use on works trains throughout the winter.
Contrary to the report in the last magazine, DL7’s engine has been re-assembled and the loco run on test. Once one or two minor faults have been corrected the loco should be able to re-enter service.
No.21 diesel and the Smith Rodley crane have remained out of use.
Carriage & Wagon News
The good news to begin with is that Ken Dyde has agreed to fill the void and represent the C&W dept until the next board meeting. Ken has past experience working in the C&W dept on the SVR, and one of his valuable talents is that he can organise a team to tackle most jobs. Ken lives locally and spends most weekends at Chasewater.
Great Eastern 6-wheel passenger brake – All of the doors have now been fitted, although the missing door from the end compartment has been found, 75% destroyed, which highlights the problems of past abandoned projects. A dummy door has been modified from one, which according to Chris Hatton, came off a DMU.
Midland Box Van – Tony has continued scraping and painting. On one side he has exposed from beneath layers of paint a red triangle not too dissimilar to the Bass Charrington sign. Black letters are also distinguishable which could read ‘Bass Railway’.
North Eastern box van – During his winter Saturdays when not carrying out his PW duties, Arthur Edwards has started replacing some of the rotten side planking prior to repainting.
CRC (CCCC) brake van An inspection has been carried out on the rotting timbers around the spring hangers. Use of temporary steel plate cladding will strengthen the solebars enough for the vehicle to be shunted to where more substantial work can be carried out on the 6” x 12” timbers after jacking.
In the past a number of projects on wooden-bodied stock have been started with no plan of attack or materials in stock. Consequently, main frame timbers, vital metal items and wagon parts left scattered around the yard have all been left to rot in the open with no work being carried out for months on end. I think all members must agree that a restoration project started on a whim should not be accommodated by the C&W dept. In the future, any members who would like to start restoration projects on wooden-bodied stock should please request permission in writing from the Carriage & Wagon Director, who will offer all possible assistance.
Dave Borthwick
Maryport & Carlisle 5 compartment all 3rd coach – Thorough examination has revealed a need for urgent attention to panelling. A survey was carried out on the vehicle in January revealing almost all waist and lower panelling rotten and with very active wet rot fungus, roof galvanising starting to fail, and several doors in need of removal, de-rotting and repair. There was only minor rot to the main frame, but soft wood noggins are in need of replacement. Many windows and droplights are also in need of replacement or repair. All springs need to be replaced, all running boards need to be repaired and replaced and the complete vehicle needs to be treated against rot.
The first job was to erect a tent, then a platform alongside to work from. These were in place in late January and restoration is now proceeding.
New panels of beech marine ply have been cut and fitted for most of the lower and waist panelling following removal of most of the old panelling. The new panelling is being treated and painted at a member’s home workshop, to be fitted to the coach after the body frame has dried out and been rot treated. Doors will be repaired off-site to enable a rapid restoration to take place.
Manchester Sheffield & Lincoln composite brake – This lovely vehicle has had a little luck lately. During conversation with the Butterley C&W team, it was revealed that they had recently stripped a derelict MS&L coach body and had some doors from it. Hasty retreat to the stores and hey presto! Four doors of exactly the right profile, window pattern and size to fit the opening left in the doorway of the guard’s compartment of our own fire-damaged vehicle! Enthusiastic fitter now required!
CRC 4 plank coal wagon – Examination of this vehicle in January revealed a completely rotten floor, some completely rotten side planks and very corroded springs. Other than that, the frame and most of the ironwork, apart from some straps, appear to be very good. An immediate start was made on removing rotten timbers to reveal the frame properly so that it could be dried out and rot-treated. New side and floor planking has been acquired, and this vehicle should be coupled to the Midland box van in a resurrected state by Easter.
LNWR West Coast Joint Stock 50’ Brake – The new roof has been fitted and ventilators replaced. New toplights have been fitted to completely seal the roof. Much attention has been given to interior panelling, and three-quarters of the interior repainted. Following use of the vehicle as Santa’s Grotto at Christmas, the historic displays are now being mounted, and re-opening as a museum is on line for Easter! Repairs to upright framing and solebars will commence after the Maryport repairs are complete, and will be followed by re-panelling, subject to raising a further £500.
Wickham DMU E56171 & E50416 – These vehicles are the subject of much discussion. At present they have a liability value in that £14,000 is needed to strip them of asbestos. On the other hand, as a unique, working DMU they could be very useful. Ken Dyde and his gang (The Battery Boys!) continue to work on the mechanics and body of the power car, and replacements for the missing windows are now on site, thanks to a very generous price from Brownhills Glass.
Gloucester trailer E56301 – This coach has remained out of use and would require repairs to the bodywork to be carried out before it could be used in service again. There have been rumours that an outside party is interested in purchasing the vehicle for preservation elsewhere, but so far nothing definite has been agreed and it remains stored on No.2 road
Derby Centre Car W59444 – This coach ran in service at Chasewater for the first time at Christmas on the Santa Specials coupled to the Wickham trailer. This looks likely to be the train formation used for the foreseeable future, meaning that the loco will remain on the ‘north’ end of the train. The ‘blood & custard’ livery still requires top coating but hopefully this will be finished by Easter.
Steve Organ
Chasewater Railway Museum 