Wagon Works: Part 2

BR ‘Vanfit’ B759852 has now received the final ‘BR Freight Brown’ topcoat to the north side, after the last few repairs to the bodywork. The underframe and headstocks have also been scrubbed in preparation for some underframe gloss black. (Photo courtesy of Philip Halstead).

 

Stencils for the lettering are also in hand as ‘homework’. As we are restoring the vans to original 1950′s/early 1960′s appearance, the “VANFIT” branding that was removed during this restoration will not be reinstated – this decision also has the added bonus of fewer letters to cut out and paint! (Photo courtesy of Philip Halstead).

 

Viewed from the German tank engine in the shed, ’852 looks strangely like a model! However this vantage point allows us to see that a very good start has also been made on stripping the old roofing felt, ready for a new canvas. Some stubborn patches remain, we hope to scrape these off over the coming weekend, as well as removing the end roof hoops for restoration. Once these preparation jobs are complete the new canvas can be applied, which is a job scheduled for next weekend if the canvas arrives in time. Note the corrugated ends on this van, made with three sections rivetted together rather than two, the latter is a much more common arrangement on these vans. Three end sections was an early design feature, borne out by the 1952 build-date of this van. (Photo courtesy of Tim Hobman).

 

A closer view of the exposed roof boards, fortunately they appear to be in good condition with only a few short lengths of board requiring replacement. We have managed to salvage original material from the roof of an identical grounded van body elsewhere, which should (in theory) be a perfect fit… (Photo courtesy of Tim Hobman).

 

Our stores van now sports a very smart set of brand-new doors made and fitted by Tim. In what could be seen as the ultimate display of pedantry – or is it attention to detail? – he has managed to build exact replicas of ‘Shocvan’ doors (it is a grounded ‘Shocvan’ body), with the correct number and sizing of planks (‘Vanfits’ have a greater number of narrower planks). In reality this fortunate, authentic, coincidence was more by luck than judgement! (Photo courtesy of Tim Hobman).

Progress Update

All the door furniture has now been installed on under-overhaul ‘Vanfit’ B759852. BR freight brown topcoat will soon follow, as will photographs and a proper update on here. Arrangements are now in hand for the recanvassing of the roof, which should happen in the next few weeks if all goes to plan.

Thanks to Tim, new doors have also been made and fitted to the grounded ‘Shocvan’ body which serves as our store for useful bits and pieces. Another set is required for the ‘public’ side facing the running line, then the whole lot can be given a coat of paint to smarten it up.

Wagon Group Collection Box

As promised in our article in the last issue (No.104) of “Nene Steam”, we have finally got round to constructing our themed collection box to grace the platform at Wansford. We very much hope it will be actively contributing towards material costs for restoring the goods wagons at NVR. If you are at the railway and have some spare change, please consider making a donation as every little helps!

Vanfit B759852: Part 8

New member Philip spent a working session stripping the remaining old paint off the bodyside with a hot air gun, and a good start was also made on wirebrushing the metalwork. The considerable effort being expended on the preparation of this side should leave a good paint finish, although we are formulating new working methods to speed progress on future vans!

 

Some time was spent improving the end shunter’s chalk boards with exterior wood filler. Study of photographs from the BR steam era show that in practice these were rarely used, and destinations were often chalked on the doors or bodyside instead. 

 

Wood filler was also applied to any knots, gouges or splits in the timber whilst the remaining metalwork was wirebrushed. Here we see the primer starting to go on to the panel to the left-hand side of the doors.

 

The previously primed bodywork to the right-hand side of the doors also saw attention with the filler where necessary…

 

…and patch painted with primer once dry.

 

The north side is now finally ready for brown topcoat, once the doors have had their latches and protective plates added. The chalkboards were also given a coat of blackboard paint, and now look the part.

Vanfit B759852: Part 7

Using a hot air gun, more of the old paint has been stripped off the bodyside to the left of the doors.

 

A rotten plank that previously escaped detection has now been removed and replaced. The steel framework to the right-hand side of the doors has been thoroughly wire-brushed, and primer/undercoat applied. We are now ready for brown topcoat up to the right-hand door jamb, the doors themselves requiring more fettling to make them shut properly, and the installation of protective metal plates where the door fastening wedge sits (just visible centre-bottom of the doors in the photo).

 

Vanfit B759852: Part 6

Thank you to all who have supported us since our article appeared in the latest “Nene Steam” magazine. There have been some kind monetary donations which will go towards a new roof canvas for this van and a new working member, Philip, has stepped forward and made very good progress on the slow job of stripping back the old paint on B759852.

 

It can be seen in the view above that another good working session will hopefully see the last of the old paint removed, and much (if not all) of the metalwork derusted, ready for primer.

 

To the right of the doors, the paint on the woodwork has now been completely stripped. Unfortunately we have spotted rot on another plank (third from top) so this will need to be removed and replaced with new. The bolts have already been cut in anticipation of this task, which we have down to a fine art! We are now very close to painting this section, once the small remaining area of unpainted metalwork has been rotary wire-brushed.

Normal service will resume shortly…

Due to a house move and work commitments, wagon restoration has had to be put on the back burner for the last few weeks – hence the lack of updates recently. We hope to resume normal service as soon as possible!

Meanwhile it is pleasing to see that our introductory article has appeared in the latest “Nene Steam” magazine, on page 29. If you’ve found this site from the link contained within the article we hope you like what you see, and will consider supporting us in our aim of restoring wagons at the NVR.