SVR wagons 2013

Whilst not the answer to stopping water getting into wagon axleboxes, we are gradually going to fit small
inobtrusive drain valves into the axle box sumps, far easier than the old methods of water removal

 

Steady on Martin, I'm just the guy that writes the blog, the majority of work is done by a small team of people of which I am just a small part.

 

Any details and a photo?

 

They say it is better to be born lucky than born good, that is certainly how I felt today hanging the last set of 80982's brake gear. Passing comment that I was going to have a go at setting them, a process that normally involves trying one setting, apply the brake, check if they are all on, swear, take brake off and adjust the ones that need it, normally decending ion to a long day of setting and swearing. This time, they all came on at the first attempt!
Mean while, the lads have started the repair of the river side door, fitted and glazed the sky lights, undercoated the underside of the roof, top coated the top side of the roof, and now started replacing one of the window frames. Some of the tongue and grooving inside will have to be replaced as a result of taking the window out but that is a minor worry. Else where the wagon needs a underneath, some repair work to the floor and a re-paint on the body. As the gaffer said today, its really not far away.

 

I have often said that good progress doesn't make a good article and I am struggling to make this week streach to more than one sentence, so if that is any guide things must have gone well.
The roof of 80982 has had another coat of top coat, I will be thankful when I don't have to go up there again, although the other Ian did seem ammused at how tightly I was clinging on while working around the skylight, we may be securely harnessed these days, but I am still in no hurry to test out the fall arrest system, and heights are not my strong point!
Meanwhile down below, the first replacement window frame frame is in and the whole thing is progressing well, as the gaffer pointed out, one or two really good days will take it forward a long way, but we are coming into the busy christmas period.
Hopefully I shall get chance to post a couple more times this year,
All the best,
Olly

 

Well, its that time again folks, yet another round up of what has been going on in the down yard at Bewdley. Our 100 year old mess van, number 80982 is inching closer to completion, sadly all of her centenary year has been spent in the goods shed out of sight, but with a bit of luck, she should see day light soon. It will be good to see this robust vetran back in one peice and doing the job she was built for, acting as a mobile Workshop and mess room.
Repairs to the door are continuing at a brisk pace the new woodwork taking shape nicely while the inside of the roof is radidly going into under coat, certainly not my favorite job owing to the tendency of the paint to run down hill, off the brush and down your fingers, but all part of the job.
The first window frame is in, and repairs have begun on the interior to repair the dammage done getting the window out (don't ask!), soon we will have to start thinking about how to repair the floor
See you all soon, Olly!

 

Well this week we have had a lot of odds and ends on our hands.
Banana van 82554 has been requested for a little job, so a quick walk round to check all is in order and an oil level check was in order. Some oil was applied to certain other moving parts as well to make them easier to operate, while an attempt to test the vacuum brake ended in embarassment for me, mental note the vacuum brake tester starts more easily if you turn the fuel supply on!
Meanwhile the timber cladding around the second window to be changed on 80982 has been removed in readyness for changing the window frame.
The undercoating of the ceiling is also finished and top coating started on the mess van, and thoughts of how to repair the floor are starting to cross our minds.
Let's see what next weekend brings.
Olly

 

Hello Olly5764,
Would you be chance have any photos of the wagon renovations that I could use on the 813 Fund web site?
Many Thanks

NIck
http://www.gwr813.org/

 

Hello Olly5764,
Would you be chance have any photos of the wagon renovations that I could use on the 813 Fund web site?
Many Thanks

NIck
http://www.gwr813.org/

Sorry Nick, I don't get much chance to take pics.

 

Well, as we creep towards the end of 2013, the repairs to Mess van number 80982 continues to move forward. Two more window frames are ready to go in, with them getting a coat of linseed oil in an attempt to try to make the paint last a bit longer.
Mean while, the repair work to the door is progressing well, although I have to admire the patience of the two lads building the new frame for this, as this has involved some intricate fitting.
Inside the van, top coat is going onto the ceiling, and the place is starting to look like home again.
Hopefully I shall have one more round up this side of Christmas.
Olly

 

Well, as you can tell, as its christmas day and I am on here, I clearly don't get out enough, (probably a side effect of too many bangs on the head whilst crawling underneath wagons) however its time to give you the final update of the year.
The frames of the door for Mess van 80982 are in an advanced state, this is a deceptively awkward job and I have the utmost admiration for the lads working on it, with the cross bracing still to come. wagon, some bits of the chassis have received undercoat, whilst this bit often goes un-noticed, it marks a big step forward, as the clean down and repair of such areas can be a time consuming and fiddely job.
Work on the two ballast wagons and the cadbury van is on hold at the moment until the weather improves, as there is no point applying paint only for rain or the cold to ruin it, although hopefully as these wagons appear in good order, there will be no nightmares awaiting us when we tackle them again in spring.
As there have been just short of 8000 views again this year I assume there is some interest in what we are doing, so I will start a new thread in the new year, hopefully I will gewt time to take some pics too.
So all that remains is for me to say (hopefully on behalf of all of us in the Down yard at Bewdley) Merry Christmas and all the best for 2014,
Olly

 

Olly, may I express our thanks for your continued updates on progress on the SVR Wagon fleet.
The 2014 edition will be just as well supported from here at least.

 

Olly,

Your reports are always of interest and I sincerely hope you continue with them in 2014.
Best regards to you and the wagon group for 2014

Keith

 

Thanks folks, I'll be posting my first update next time I get to Bewdley. Just need to think of a new, eye catching title for this year. How does SVR wagons 2014 grab you?
Cheers
Olly