Saturday 19 December 2015

17101's second day in sevice.

Short post to show mark 2 BFK 17101 in service.

The 14.00 departure on Sunday 13th December


The coach with its yet to be painted Guard's door.


Another view as the train passes the former Strathspey platform.

Monday 14 December 2015

11th December, the day before 17101's first run.

Well it wasn't quite finished but it has taken its place in the Santa set.  These pictures were taken on the morning of Friday 11th December, just prior to it being shunted out into the set.  I don't have any outside pictures yet for two reasons, one I was driving the shunt engine and two, it was snowing heavily.  The main outstanding tasks are the painting of the Guard's in-swinging doors, finishing the lining and the application of the number and lettering.

The exterior of the passenger end, shining in the flood lights.


Another view from the luggage van end.


Another view, this time the passenger end opposite corner.


A compartment finished.  The seat cushions have been re-upholstered as have the head rests, the seat backs are original.  The curtains, carpet ad tables are all new.


Another view.


Compartment 2.


Another view.


The toilet looking towards the wash hand basin.


The toilet looking from the window, in the other direction.


All four passenger doors were repaired and fitted with new interiors.


The corridor, completely re-floored and re-panelled.


Passenger end vestibule.


The passenger end of the corridor, external door showing its new interior.


Another view inside the toilet.

Monday 7 December 2015

The finishing post is in sight

The finishing line for mark 2 BFK 17101 is now in sight.  The deadline is actually Saturday 12th December when the vehicle must take its place in the Santa express service.  It has to do this because we have already sold tickets for it!

Just a little update to show the progress to date which has been delayed by the weather.

Painting is now underway, the roof has been completed in Steel grey and the ends of the coach are in the undercoat stage.


The sides of the coach have now been painted in the gloss topcoat and now await the lining out process.


The conditions outside were a little chilly to say the least.


Another view looking up the line.

Thursday 19 November 2015

Latest news

Its our Guards turn to provide us with extra work this time!  This is the result of dispatching the train without detaching the shore supply!  Don't you just love them!


Back to mark 2 number 17101.  This sequence shows the door repairs, the picture below shows that the fibre glass has been cut away and the rotten wood / metal inserts have been removed.


A new strip of metal has been inserted.


This shows the new piece of wood that has been inserted into the base.


These have then been bonded into place by the application of fibre glass matting and resin.


Another view


A view of the bottom of the door.


Below shows the repaired door, this has had the drop light window, its runners and lazy tongues fitted back in place.

 
The parcels area has been cleared out, it has been utilised as an additional workshop area.
 

Another view


After use as the workshop, the area has been emptied in readiness for painting.


Another view from the other direction.

 
Internally the lino has been laid (the red bits) and covered back over with ply and cardboard for protection.
 

In the compartments the seat frames / backs and headrests have been fitted.


At the end of the corridor the ceiling panels have been refitted.


Another view


A third view which includes the new toilet equipment access doors.


Another view of the doors.


In the corridor the side panelling has been replaced.


The dots on the pictures are dust particles in the air.  Below shows one of the main reasons, the rubbing down of the carriage for painting.


The producer of the dust, Steve


Another view showing the new door pillar insert which has been fitted.


Dusty bin unmasked


A parcel area door having its interior fitted.


The fuses for the heater fan have needed attention.  For a long time we haven't had enough of the fuse carriers, as we have never had all of our mark 2 coaches in service at the same time, it hasn't mattered.  We have just swapped the fuses about, this time we have had to do something about it.
These are the bases that we have removed.


These are going to be replaced with the cartridge fuses shown below.


To do this the panel had to be removed, studs had to be made and fitted to carry the fuses.


Another view


The studs in place with one of the fuses pushed on awaiting the nuts to secure it.


After the rubbing down had been completed, the coach was taken outside to be washed prior to painting.


Another view with Bill Johnson wielding the pressure jet.


Whilst the coach was outside, the big clean up inside.  A rare view of an empty carriage shed.