MR Open Wagon

Evening all
I am currently in the starting stage rebuilding an MR open that’s been sat in the AVR yard rotting away for years, my question is has anyone ever sent one of the large draw gear springs away for overhaul or know how the Midland constructed the buckle i.e. casting, pressed, forged etc. Any info about current prices for a new / overhauled spring of this type would be useful if anyone knows.
I have included a few pictures of the current state of the springs
Ollie

 

Hi Ollie

Try Owen Springs of Rotherham, they are very helpful...

What are you planning to use for the frames?, they look like they are (were!) timber?

(Had just a little experience of waggon rebuilds.....)

StoneRoad

 

The timber frames on my snowplough NER18 were better than that and I have had to have them replaced.
I could put my fist through them in places.
However the ironwork was in better condition.

 

Hi all
I have just ordered some seasoned oak for the frames, I been told it’s between 10 – 15 years seasoned. Due to the condition of all the springs I have to get all 6 replaced, when I took the wheels out last week only 1 survived as a pattern, two just fell apart after the weight was lifted off them. I was hoping to reuse the horn guides but now striping has started they seem to be wasted away a lot in a few places and would be sensible to get some new ones cut. I believe I can reuse about 50% of the metal work, i.e. wheels, brake gear, axles boxes buffers, draw bars and door hinges. I plan to put it back to ex works condition complete with working trap doors. I do have a website that I hope to keep updated with this rebuild like I did with the previous wagons I have rebuilt the address is http://avr-wagon-department.fotopic.net/

Ollie

 

this is a subject Im quite interested in, seeing as its not too often you see a wooden wagon restored. How much approximately is the timber for this type of project can someone tell me? and where do you get it cut?