Mk1 Suburbans

I was amused at this comment. No disrespect intended at all - but you listen to anyone who had to endure a "Quad-Art" commuter journey home in the 1950's and 1960's and their reaction would be much the same as this comment! I have heard many a story along the lines of rubbing knees with the person sat opposite and the rather "hard" ride these things had while being hurtled along by an N2 up the GN main line. Those commuters would be very surprised to learn we have preserved and indeed venerated their very uncomfortable mode of travel! Of course, we are all very glad we did preserve them!!

 

Please see link for where the idea came from, the KESR seem to have used the process sucessfully if you take a look at the other photos. I believe the SVR have also used galvanised sheet to reskin LMS period 3s and some of the GW stock there seems to have it. The paint sticks fine when the proper preperation and paint systems are used.

http://kesr-volunteers.photobook.org.uk/p46145113.html

 

The NNRs railbuses are aluminium sided, with steel ends, these were etched properly by our C&W dept when the last one was overhauled, any paint peeling...... no, as has been said done right, it is not a problem what the sheeting is.

 

I believe the two for sale are the 2 which are stored, not the runner, although im not sure if they are being sold now or not,i heard something but cant remember.

 

2 for sale? They've only got 2 (discounting LEV which is owned by the NRM) E79963 was for sale but I know quite a few people weren't happy about the sale when it was discussed on the volunteer forum so I'm not sure if it is still for sale. E79960 is a runner and a very useful vehicle to the railway.

 

Just a guess but he may be referring to the suburbans not the railbuses.

So, the NNR's fleet is as follows?

-E43034 CL Stored, for possible sale?
-E43041 CL Stored and included in "Suburban 4" restoration project
-E43357 BS Operational and included in "Suburban 4" restoration project
-E43359 BS Stored, for possible sale?
-E46147 S Stored and included in "Suburban 4" restoration project
-E48004 SLO Stored and included in "Suburban 4" restoration project

Please correct me is this is wrong

I agree, it has the potential to be a fantastic set, so good luck to the project. It is pleasing to see more carriage and wagon based projects like this everywhere, recognising that its not all just about big locomotives!

 

Fair point sorry, not thinking about what the thread was about. I'll be quiet now

 

The two vehilces, CL E43034 and BS E43359 we due to be sold in the Autumn. Unfortunately that sale fell through at the last moment. We are reconsidering the options for these two vehicles and will be making a decision in the near future. It may well be that they are put up for sale again later this month. Chris (M59137), please send me a PM for details if you're interested.

Steve Allen
NNR Director

 

Hmm, a CL for sale. I really don't want to be tempted by this idea and I doubt the railway I would like to take it to would have it.

 

Please don't get me wrong it can be used successfully but it isn't the universal panacea so many think it is. What causes the problems with these vehicles is water ingress corroding then distorting the structural framework behind the cladding. Water gets in, this creates creates corrosion, this creates bulges and distortion and then the doors don't close properly! When the Bluebell had some in the 70s & early 80s one by one the doors were locked out of service as they were deemed dangerous to leave in operation as with the locks and striker plates so far out of alignment there was a real risk of a door bursting open if someone leaned on it. That was the sucker punch for these vehicles and the final nail in the coffin was the sheer number of doors to fix. One of them did recieve substantial frame repairs but heat distortion from the welding meant the damn doors wouldn't fit again. This was the end and they were sheeted up and several years later sold on.

Galvanised sheeting will protect the sheeting - but thats it. You may have a nice smooth body but underneath a horror story can be developing if those windows and gutters have failed.

As an aside I also remember one of the SECR 100 seaters in the early 80s had a complete repaint and the paint completely failed to adhere to the galvanised sheeting. Before it left the works it was obvious it was not going to stick for long and within a short space of time it fell off in sheets back to bare metal. It ran for a number of years with practically no paint on it at all. looked more like a New York subway train than a pre-group masterpiece! Off course you are right though - time and technology have moved on and painting galvanised metal is possible if you T wash it and use a good etch primer. Maybe I am just a dinosour from the past and can remember the disasters!

Ah the memories of youth!

 

I believe some coaches were built from new with galvanised sheeting. A GWR six wheeled sleeper car springs to mind. It still didnt stop the corrosion as the lower sheeting on one side had to be replaced. Galvanised sheeting can give off dangerous fumes when welded.

 

Anyone know what happened to the fibreglass Mk1 suburban coach that ended its days on the Hayling Island branch? Was it a practical answer to the corrosion problems in the steel versions? It worked on Reliant 3 wheeler cars!

 

In service on the East Somerset Railway I think. Recently overhauled.

 

How ironic! Just received the latest copy of Steam Railway & there is a picture of it on page 46 newly restored at Cranmore. States cost was the reason the fibreglass option was not pursued. Didn't realise the underframe was originally from a Mk 1 TSO damaged in the Lewisham accident in 1957.

 

is it feasable, with a mk1 suburbans who's bodywork is perhaps serverly corroded, to replace it with a fibrelass body simular to the southern region example, and if so would it be cheaper than re-building the steel body?

 

one of the KWVRs SLO's has just gone in for body repairs, mainly due to its age since the last overhaul.
The only time full sets have been put together, i.e. BS, S, SLO, SLO, CL, BSO has been recent galas.

 

Do know of any web based sources (such as a C&W volunteer's Fotopic site or similar) that may give an insight into the vehicle's repairs? It would be interesting to see what you find when poking round one of these vehicles!

 

http://www.cs.vintagecarriagestrust.org/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=1107

 

Nobody want to take ours on then?

 

As the final iteration of the type is it not worthy of a (restored) place in the National Collection?