A6071 Tank Wagon: February 2014

Wednesday, 26 February 2014

25.2.14

This weather is getting more and more unpredictable, and actually its going in our favor. It started off a bit dull, with a light drizzle so work began on re-attaching the steam valve back to the tank. It was a frustrating job, with it being a tight fit onto the bracket. The only way it went back on was with the assist of a piece of scrap metal used as a hammer. Then it was bolted back into position, however its gone in without gaskets. This should not prove a problem as there is no plans to store anything inside as of yet.

With the weather clearing, and the sun appearing it made perfect conditions to apply more gloss. Over the weekend Keith has treated the ladder to some gloss, leaving areas un-done where appropriate. These areas have now been glossed and the ladder is now sitting upon the adjacent conflat in its lovely black finish. This will be re-attached hopefully next week.

Meanwhile, more gloss was applied to the east side of the barrel. As the photo attached shows, only the north east top end and just right of the ladder need their first coats.

On the extreme left of the photo you can see the re-attached steam valve.

The afternoon looked dull, so we went looking for the pipe work. All the parts we have are now together and again will be fitted in due course. The nuts and bolts do require our attention first though. Its also became apparant, apart from parts which we already knew need to be made, that there is also some other parts missing. Once work starts on A6581, we will be able to see if the parts are compatable, they should be as they are built almost the same, and we will get new ones made. Until then, a possible plan is to fit cork sheets to seal the pipe. Either that or leave them off, with nothing being stored in it the pipes are deemed surplus. However it would be nice to see A6071 in its former glory, with the pipes attached.

Still a list of jobs to do however a finish is so close. We feel we are actually closer then we originally predicted, however October is still the date we want to see A6071 in the freight train. Before would be nice though

Wednesday, 19 February 2014

More gloss

You would have to be in space if you haven't been affected by the bad weather which has currently hit the country. Some would say its been the wettest winter ever.

You'd be excused if you thought that also meant work has stalled. Quite the opposite. Work has progressed with a great step. It may have been wet, but its also surprisingly mild and when its not wet, its perfect painting conditions. That is what occurred yesterday, to the groups amazement. Weather forecast was more rain, not one drop fell in the yard.

This allowed work to progress on two fronts. Firstly, Keith undercoated the ladder upon the conflat. Can be a challenge, especially the steps and he has done a brilliant job. It looks almost ready to be re-attached.

Keith then moved to the barrel and undercoated underneath the walk way and the top of the barrel, areas in which he was not getting in the way of myself. Again, it applied with ease and gives advancement looks. Photos below show the advancement of undercoating.

Meanwhile I started the day by removing 4 screws which were in the OHLE support. These were melted in when the old signs were being removed and were a bit fidly to remove.

Once done, I then turned to glossing the barrel, areas which had previously been undercoated. Yes thats right, gloss is being applied in February. I've tackled 2 main areas, the first being where the steam valve sits, the other being the other end of barrel. Both are clearly displayed in the photos below.

This is only its first coat of gloss. We aim to apply a second coat all over during one day, so that all the black will be the same. Areas of the Solebar have also been touched up and A6071 is sitting in a freshly painted black.

The above photo really does give a before, after look. A6071 is now sitting next to a similar wagon A6581. There are a few differences however they are also the same design, just built by a different manufacturer .

As you can see big progress is happening, and October is looking more and more promising. Please help us by joining the group, contact details can be found here : contactus

Tuesday, 4 February 2014

4.2.14

After a 2 week hiatus due to work and the weather, work resumed on getting A6071 complete.

Work has been concentrated upon the east side of the barrel. After the last session, it was sitting in primer. The west ladder was sitting upon the adjacent conflat. Small parts were in store awaiting fitting. Work was happening everywhere.

So we come to today. The weather is surprising as in dry, if not bit breezy which is surprising being in Feb. The first item of the day was the re-attachment of the opening wheel that sits on the top. For a job that should take 5 minutes turned into a half hour job. It had already been painted in gloss, which meant that the nuts were getting caught, however the job was done and it now sits proudly upon the top of the tank.

Keith resumed cleaning the ladder. Its a hard job to complete especially with the steps. Before today, the sides had already been cleaned and primed allowing the ladder to be turned and allow greater access to the steps. It was fully cleaned before lunch, and was fully primed within an hour.

Meanwhile, the east face of the barrel has received under coat. Well, the north east side has, from a line of gloss at the top where previously worked, right to the bottom where it meets more gloss, it now sits in the familiar colour of charcoal grey. It has been painted up to a weld line, which coincidentally we use as stopping points due to it breaking the tank into 3 sections, and a 2/3s under the east walk way has also been painted. This now leaves roughly a days work, could be 2 depending on weather and circumstances. Then when it is warmer the first layer of gloss can be applied.

The photo below shows the recently undercoated north east side. Hopefully the weather will stay good and work can progress rapidly.

Another view of the undercoated area, however note the wheel at the top of the re-attached open/ wheel.

There is still a way to go before A6071 runs, however it is getting closer and closer every session we spend there.

Work to be completed in the next couple of weeks includes:

Complete undercoating and glossing of east side
undercoat ladder and again gloss
re-attach the steam valve
re-attach all the release cylinders/ pipework on under frame
apply second coat of gloss
apply logos, writing
re-attach plates
attach wooden brake supports
touch up any areas

As you can see, there is still work to be done, however a finish really is in sight. Again we welcome any additional help, so do get in touch by emailing us on gcrwagongroup@hotmail.com and we will get in touch.