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NVR Wagon Group Updates

Discussion in 'Heritage Rolling Stock' started by B17 61606, May 21, 2015.

  1. The Green Howards

    The Green Howards Nat Pres stalwart

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    Whilst a long train of vans would no doubt look impressive, so would a short mixed goods... but yes, I'd support a proper overhaul rather than a cosmetic.

    Do you have a counterpart in the carriage section because it pains me to say this, but the Mk. 1s are beginning to look a little tired now. However, I'm fully aware that all this needs time, money and volunteers.
     
  2. big.stu

    big.stu Well-Known Member

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    The Express Freight project has been the priority of the Wagon Group since the untimely illness and loss of one of it's founders, Paul Foxwell. Several of us wish to see that project achieved in memory of Paul. The target is ten vans - once we get there other things can be considered, and a mixed rake is one of the other things we wish to achieve. We also wish to cosmetically restore some of the other wagons which won't ever be in the running rake(s) (e.g. wooden framed wagons), and there are some discussions around those too, but they also will not be a priority until the express freight ten van train is realised.

    We can currently field six (four permanently in the rake, plus two civils vans which can be used with them). The palvan currently in the shed is a good way to being #7, and #8 has had some initial stripping of rotten floor etc. Both need new roofs. All of them will need refurbishment/refitting of vac brake equipment (we have all the kit, but none of it has been used for many years).
    The Mk.1s fall under the official C&W department (NB, despite the W in C&W, the wagons are generally the responsibility of the Wagon Group, not C&W). C&W is part staff, part volunteer and they are working hard undertaking major refurbishment of more carriages (usually one primary project in the C&W shed) as well as running maintenance on the active stock (for example, they've been in generator maintenance mode of late). If we are allowed to run Santa's in December, they traditionally use the continental stock, so I expect the focus will move to those for now, to be ready for if we can operate. If more volunteers come forward to help in C&W, they can get more done, and the same applies equally to the Wagon Group...
     
    Last edited: Nov 11, 2020
  3. The Green Howards

    The Green Howards Nat Pres stalwart

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    Thanks for the above, most informative. :)
     
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  4. big.stu

    big.stu Well-Known Member

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    That'll teach me not to keep up - Tim & Phil have been busy again today, so here's another update - from PNVR rather than Wansford today :)

    https://www.facebook.com/nvrwagongroup/posts/1458365434353426

    "There was a bit of well overdue winter maintenance going on at Peterborough NVR Station today.
    The Wagon Group have kept these Coal Hoppers in traffic for over 10years, but never carried out any major work on them. Conscious that we want to keep our running rake in traffic, Tim and Phil maintained a good social distance to prevent deterioration of the bodywork and whilst Tim rubbed it down, Phil followed up with paint.
    It was a good start to prolonging the life of these wagons........more to come soon."

    hoppers-before.jpg hoppers-phil.jpg hoppers-phil-tim.jpg hoppers-after1.jpg hoppers-after2.jpg
     
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  5. Bikermike

    Bikermike Well-Known Member

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    When you say "in traffic" is that running, or are they used for service (presumably pw)?
     
  6. big.stu

    big.stu Well-Known Member

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    These are purely used for the demonstration freight rake - PW have other hoppers which they use in anger.
     
  7. big.stu

    big.stu Well-Known Member

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    Today's work session report - agonisingly close to completion on the brake van!

    https://www.facebook.com/nvrwagongroup/posts/1466716903518279

    "Well we finished installing the stove in the Brake Van today and got so excited that we had to test it! Steve, who was working elsewhere today, even popped in to admire it.
    It took a bit longer than hoped to fit the stove, so Tim only managed to start the lettering and almost completed one side.......the missing word is ‘MIDLAND’ from ‘LONDON MIDLAND’. This will be finished ASAP and then Brake Van B954024 is finished.
    Meanwhile, Phil, Jason, Cliff and Graham did a bit of work on the Palvan (sorry for no pictures). Some of the door furniture was removed on the doors that need replacing, bolts were removed from the roof ribs, and the inside was varnished.
    A good days progress and everyone present agreed that the Brake Van is a credit to the group, especially considering what it looked like when we started."

    stove-unlit.jpg stove-lit.jpg signwriting-in-progress.jpg signwriting-no-midland.jpg
     
  8. The Green Howards

    The Green Howards Nat Pres stalwart

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    Do those stoves get warm enough to make a difference inside the vehicle? And where does the air come in, or is it just general leakage under the doors and the like?
     
  9. big.stu

    big.stu Well-Known Member

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    They chuck out a huge amount of heat - sometimes you have to have the doors open a bit because it gets too hot! I vaguely recall there are roof vents (because we had to cut holes for them when putting the new roof canvas on), and the doors do indeed let a little air in around the edges...
     
    Last edited: Nov 21, 2020
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  10. Flying Phil

    Flying Phil Part of the furniture

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    I can also confirm how warm and cosy a brake van stove is.....:D DSCF7350.JPG
     

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  11. big.stu

    big.stu Well-Known Member

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    :) Interesting safety mod on the chimney there - will show that to Tim. We always make sure to warn people not to grab hold of it when we ride the brake vans on freight driving experience days...
     
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  12. Ploughman

    Ploughman Part of the furniture

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    The challenge is to get the chimney pipe glowing red.:):)

    Also in mid FEb on a really frosty / icy day to melt the ice to steam on the outside of the van.
     
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2020
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  13. Flying Phil

    Flying Phil Part of the furniture

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    That steel mesh was on the chimney when I bought the van back in 1995 - but it was from Dinting (before going to the GCR when Dinting closed) and they might have installed it. I also have a large dia car exhaust pipe as the chimney. The old original cast pipe was cracked and I think the weight of it led to the original stove cracking. There is also a hinged mesh "gate" that goes across the stove enclosure.
     
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  14. big.stu

    big.stu Well-Known Member

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    Hurrah! It's done...

    https://www.facebook.com/nvrwagongroup/posts/1473565362833433

    "ALL DONE!
    Tim was burning the late night oil tonight to finish the lettering on Brake Van B954024 and we’re pleased to say this vehicle is complete.
    A massive achievement by the Wagon Group from a tired and unloved Brake Van to something truly beautiful!
    B954024 will be shunted out of the shed and over the inspection pit on Wednesday for a fitness to run exam. The Wagon Group have now done all they can and it’s all in the hands of the carriage and wagon inspector. Fingers crossed"

    B954024.jpg 19-19.jpg side-view.jpg brake-van.jpg
     
  15. The Green Howards

    The Green Howards Nat Pres stalwart

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    As Wansford is now in Tier 4 I expect that's the last we'll be hearing of the NVR Wagon Group for a while :Morewaitingisrequired:
     
  16. big.stu

    big.stu Well-Known Member

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    Certainly as far as activity on the ground is concerned, but we have plans, and we will get to them eventually. In the meantime, Tim will continue working up items for display in the Banana Van, and I have another article up my sleeve about more filming work at the railway that involved the various wagons, so you'll still be hearing from us now and again...
     
  17. The Green Howards

    The Green Howards Nat Pres stalwart

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    Well, weather's rubbish at this time of year anyway - unless you plan to sit alone in a brake van with a glowing stove :) Mind you, the wind outside wouldn't half draw it up a bit....
     
  18. big.stu

    big.stu Well-Known Member

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    Not much to report on the ground - a small amount of essential maintenance has been undertaken on the demonstration freight rake as we are hoping it should see some action once NVR reopens in May. Hopefully we can accelerate this as restrictions ease.

    In the meantime, Tim would like to try and track down a Thomas Moy Limited Waggon Builders Peterborough wagon plate, an example of which can be seen in the attached photo. If anyone has one of these, or knows where one is, please get in touch.

    1af05900-14d7-422a-8351-abf575b93ce8.JPG
     
  19. paullad1984

    paullad1984 Member

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    I remember once a slow speed 2 mile ride with a stove fired on old oak bullhead track keys. It was like summer in the shark at the time (Eden Valley railway many years ago)
     
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  20. Bikermike

    Bikermike Well-Known Member

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    JOOI, do you have any foreign wagons in your care?
     

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