Bogie removal Mk 1 coaches.

There are a couple of you tube videos showing Mk 1 coaches being lifted at one end only, in order to remove a bogie. Is this an acceptable method and if so are there any issues to look out for,apart from the obvious one of preventing movement. Thanks.

 

At Tenterden that's how we used to remove bogies, by blocking one end and lifting the other end on the carriage jacks, most obvious things to look out for are to remove end irons and step guards, steam heat hose, and to lift the vacuum hose clear, so the bogie can be wheeled out and to ensure the brack lever is disconnected and to ensure that when lifting, no one is still working on the coach and that everyone is clear and in a safe place until the bogie is out and coach body secured on tressles how we did it was the person who operated the jacks was in charge of the operation, including ensuring the vehicle was safe to be lifted .

 

Thanks Martin. I wondered if this method would cause any problems for the bogie still on the track, but as it seems to be an acceptable method I assume not. Thanks for your help.

 

the most important thing always is safety, if your using carriage jacks, ensure they are positioned right and are not so close that they take out a window when lifting, as they when they start move inwards as the base drops down, and to ensure both lift at the same time.

 

We recently lifted a Weltrol bogie wagon to remove the bogies.
One problem we encountered was that on replacing the bogies both ends of the vehicle had moved slightly off centre.
One end about 25mm to the left and the other about 15mm to the right.
Only possible cause was through settlement of the ballast under the sleepers. Even with a reasonable timber footprint under the jacks.
No vehicles could get to the wagon while the bogies were out.
Use of a chain block was needed to provide a sideways movement.

 

Thanks for that. I had the same trouble when I removed the wheels on a bogie bolster. In that case a nudge by a telehandler sorted it but wouldn't dare on a coach .

 

This is an interesting thread as I would like to jack a coach in the future, not done it yet. I am interested in doing it the hard method with bottle jacks and sleepers etc.
Is there a supplier of metal stands which you can put under a coach once one of the bogies has been removed ? Please pass on the details or do you use a stack of sleepers ?

I am also interest in getting the links to the youtube videos that the original poster mentioned. Can you post the links to them ?

 

generally ive always used heavy construction trestles if your using jacks and packaging then you have to be careful how you jack and pack because you will be jacking from the front, or side and packing behind across the vehicle behind the bogie so I would imagine you have to allow for a drop in height as you do each packing . I would not like to try jacking and backing a bogie coach from behind the bogie, I would think it safer to jack from the front, or side ahead of the bogie and pack from behind it so you have the vehicle secure and safe.

 

Hi . I have initiated a conversation with you. Thanks.

 

I can answer part of the question. Ideally, trestles would be best (to prevent lateral movement) but support could also be provided from the devices used in the Transport Industry to support the front end of an un-attached HGV artic trailer.

https://viperguard.co.uk/truck-trailer/trailer-support-jack


In fact, we use a couple of these to 'stabilize' a carriage when painters are working on the outside and others are working on the inside. It serves to negate any movement in the springs.

We have also used one to 'lift' the corner of a carriage when the carriage jack 'got stuck'.

However, one would have to be certain of the underlying ground conditions before committing to such.

 

Hello Ken. Thanks for that. Cheers Norman

 

Well, it attempts to negate any movement in the springs! Lining out is still "interesting" if the upholstery team are busy lugging around complete seat bases inside!

 

I doubt that it would be due to settlement of the Ballast This is often a problem when jacking, even on concrete. Jack's are rarely truly vertical and, when going up will move the vehicle slightly to one side. A quarter inch sideways in a 24 inch lift would hardly be noticed. Gravity tends to work vertically, though and it will come down in a slightly different position to which it started.

 

Most interesting, I shall take note for the future.
Luckily, most of my work does not involve this sort of jacking.