A6071 Tank Wagon

Sunday, 3 November 2013

Update

Just a short post to update you all on latest progress.

Work has been continuing on the east side of the barrel. Approx 2/3rds of this side is now sitting in primer with the rest moving rapidly along. The group now has access to two ladders which makes it easier to attack both ends simultaneously. Hopefully the weather picks up before it gets worse so that it can have undercoated applied.

The brakes are still awaiting the support blocks which sit inside the metal bars for extra strength. These have been cut and are awaiting delivery. Apart from a couple of bolts missing from a couple of buffers, we would have thought the bottom may be done, however on Tuesday it was noticed the first layer of gloss seems to have a habit of flaking off. This generally seems to be the areas that have been previously cleaned before we started work, however it isn't a big job and will be corrected when we apply the second coat of gloss.

As you can read, a finish is definitely in sight, with the autumn gala 14 looking promising for its debut. If you would like to help in achieving this then do get in touch. Work isn't going to stop either once in service, we are already in discussion with our new project owner, as well as the intention to have multiple projects on going at once...keep your eyes posted on future posts

Sunday, 29 September 2013

Brake, brake and erm ladder?

Just a quick blog today, mainly as the photos will speak more then I can.

The new look west side, with freshly painted axle boxes, axles, and brake gear all attached.

Another view showing the south and west sides. Not long now till a second coat will be applied followed by the all important branding.

Also re-attached is the east side ladder. This was cleaned and painted the back end of 2011 and was sitting on the adjecent conflat since. An imminent shunt in the yard has resulted in this being attached, however this also helps us as we can now start to attack the east side whilst we wait for A6071 to be moved to a suitable location where the scaffold can be left up.

Friday, 13 September 2013

Big update

You would be forgiven if you thought work had stalled. In fact its the complete opposite. Work has made great steps in the last couple of weeks, even with the change in weather.

Firstly, Keith has made good progress on the walkways on the top, as you may remember one had work started on it. These have both been fully cleaned, primed and undercoated. Whilst working on the walkways, he has also made progress on cleaning the main release valve, which again is now sitting in undercoat.

Two weeks ago we undertook a parts exercise, seeing which parts we had, and if any bolts/nuts were to be ordered. This resulted in a order of 10 a2 M16 bolts with nuts and 20 a2 m12 bolts with nuts as well as some spare wickworths nuts for existing bolts. Whilst doing this exercise, we discovered there was actually parts sitting in store that can actually be refitted.

Below are two photos showing newly attached items. These being 2 brake hangers as well as steam pipe work.

A view of the steam pipe work, now re-attached to the pipes.

The first brake hanger back in place, a fiddly job if put on incorrectly as we found out, but that is how we learn.

This week saw a major advancement, and one that has taken a year to complete. The wheels, axles, axle boxes are now sitting in their final colour, nice lovely gloss black. These have been painted, between rain showers, and really give A6071 a view of the end. The west side brake rigging still needs to be re-attached as does the axle tie bar however once these are done, we can say A6071 can actually run.

A view of the completed axles, axles boxes and wheels on the west side.

A view of A6071 looking from the south.

A6071 is now sitting in its first coat on three sides. The East side still needs starting however this is being held up by an imminent shunt taking place within the yard. Hopefully A6071 shouldn't end up right down the yard as we have put a request for it to be moved by one wagon length.

Our next job is to finish the walkways on top, re-attach the release valve gear/wheel and then comes a job that im sure would seem easy at a glance, however is going to prove to be an all day job. This being the re-attachment on the east side ladder, then to take down the west side ladder. Apparantly a crowbar/hammer, wheatabix and a pot of tea may be needed. Look out for updates on this.

I'll close with my normal request for help. If we have inspired you to help then do get in touch. We have a list of wagons that we would like to start on as well as ones currently in the freight train needing a bit of TLC and we do have one of the biggest collections in the country for BR era wagons. They do not look after themselves and we are a small group, so help would be appreciated

Tuesday, 20 August 2013

Quick Update

Just a quick one this week.

Keith has finished cleaning out the inside of the tank, so much so there is an echo even when he is leaning out the tank. A photo will be attached next week showing how clean it now looks. He will be going in with a brush to just tidy up, then it will be inspected by Phil.

Work has continued on the steam valve. This has been cleaned and glossed, with the help of a spray can. Keith has been very busy as not only did he do the work inside the tank, he cleaned down the bolts for the steam valve.

Work for next week will focus on the main release pipe, and also a fitting exercise to see what bolts need to be ordered. If there is time, we may even start cleaning the east face.

Tuesday, 13 August 2013

A finish in site?

Last Wednesday work concentrated upon the axles. These have been cleaned, primed and undercoated. Whilst these were being cleaned, date stamps were found. The south Axle dates from 1927 where as the north axle is 1948. The south west wheel has now been undercoated as well. These are all going to be glossed on the same day, along with the north west wheel. Below is a photo of the newly undercoated south axle.

Keith was busy on Saturday. All the west brake components have now been fully glossed and are now ready to be re-attached. These will be re-attached once he has finished cleaning the inside of the barrel. Whilst Keith had the gloss out, he also applied the first coat to the south end face of the barrel, now meaning THREE yes THREE sides are now in black gloss. The picture below was taken this morning before work commenced.

To today's report. Keith once again has been inside the barrel scraping the rust and dirt from inside. Its a big job and a real difference can be seen when looking in. He believes one more day inside and it should be clean, depending on results from inspection by Phil. The long term aim is to use A6071 as a water carrier for the engines, so the insides do have to be suitable.

For me, work concentrated on taking the steam valve off the side of the tank. A few months back, Keith applied grease to release the nuts, making them easy to take off. The only reason it wasn't taken off then was it was tightly fitted. For a job that would take approximately 5 mintues from looking at it, it instead took an hour to free. Cleaning it up is going to be a big job. The main issue is that it is made out of brass like material, meaning using an angle grinder with wire brush is not a suitable method. Next week I will try cleaning it up with some Brasso. Below is a photo showing where the steam valve is attached.

The main work is now focused on several areas again. The list of items to be done is growing, not shrinking and the list in summary is below.

Clean and paint the west walkway
Clean and paint the valve pipe (runs through the tank, only top half to be done)
Gloss the west coast wheels, axles and axle boxes
Clean and paint east side of barrel
Clean up steam valve
Attach wood blocks to brakes.
Re-attach west side brakes
Clean and paint the west ladder
re-attach the east ladder
second coat the barrel in gloss
apply logos
apply small writing
attach new wagon plates
re-assemble discharge pipes

Once all the above has been completed, then A6071 can enter service on the freight train and also be used by the GCR. If you would like to help us accomplish the list then please do email me on thomas_lees_21@hotmail.com. There are plenty of wagons for us to work on and the future of the GCR is looking bright, with a future for freight running over the 18 miles between Leicester and Nottingham. It will be like the 50's all over again, so come and join us.

Tuesday, 6 August 2013

6.8.2013

Hi Folks

Just a small update for today.

Keith has been busy in the last couple of weeks. All the small components have now received gloss on three sides, the fourth will be done on Saturday (mainly for ease of storage). Also the brake blocks and handle have also had three sides done, again these will be finished Saturday.

The fourth wheel is now fully in primer, awaiting undercoat. The plan is now to clean the main axles and prime these, then undercoat the axles and the wheel in one go. Then the two wheels, axles and axle boxes will then be in gloss.

Speaking of axles, these have started to be cleaned, however each one is only half done. Reason? Simple. Keith has been inside the tank again cleaning out the 40+ years off dirt and rust, which is being pushed out the main hole at the bottom. Not really practicable to clean these with dirt falling on me. However I have the next few days off work so I have a good chance to get these finished. Photos will also be up tomorrow, Including new stamps found.

Look out for more updates

Tuesday, 16 July 2013

ITS BLACK!!

It has been a couple of interesting weeks working on A6071. Weather has been glorious, and this has allowed us too advance A6071 to a new life.

Last week, work concentrated upon small items, mainly the valve gear from the top of the barrel. This is now sitting in undercoat, waiting to be glossed.

Work also progressed on the fourth and final axle, which today has now been completely cleaned. It is now awaiting primer, then will receive a finish like the others in a lovely coat of black.

Keith has made a start of cleaning out the old rust and dirt that accumulated within the barrel itself. Not an easy job and has been postponed until a cooler day to resume.

That is all work that has been happening in the last couple of weeks. Today a major advancement has been achieved, as can be seen in the photos attached.

With the weather being as hot and glorious as it is present, it is perfect to apply the first coat of gloss. This has now been applied on the north end as well as the west.

A comment was made today, doesn't it look weird sitting in black. We got so used to it being in red and grey that, being in black was something different. We also thought the end was in sight...until we remember the east side is still sitting in weathered condition, i.e. see below.

With two sides sitting now in their first layer of gloss, and the third to hopefully be done Saturday, an end is definitely in sight. January may seem too optimistic, but with weather like this it could be done. It could be done sooner with more help and we always welcome new members. There is a lot of wagons currently in store that could be seen at galas, and if you would like that sense of achievement in making it happen then do please get in touch.

Tommy