Canterbury Railway Society Inc

News

D 26 Full Restoration Report

30/10/2001

This old four wheel passenger carriage was placed back in the workshop last February and work began in earnest. The underframe had previously been overhauled and now it was time to concentrate on the carriage itself.

Upon commencing the carriage interior, the accumulation of dust and grime, the rodent's nests and bird's nests were removed as was the borer ridden interior side lining and floor. This unpleasant work took several working days to do; the wearing of masks and gloves was obvious.

An assessment was made at the end of March on the condition of the carriage. It was found that the side rails were partly split away and broken off near the headstocks. The floor bearers were past their usefulness as was the centre floor bearer which supported the centre partition. The platform end rails were wasted away also. End partition framing was found to be broken and loose near the floor, very little dry rot was found in the bodywork.

To get access to some areas, it was necessary to remove the outside T&G lining, this was secured to the side by screws from inside the compartments through two hardwood rails. Most screws came out easily and were in fairly good condition. The roofing boards were removed to gain access to the top rail and the side tiedown rods. The general framing is in fairly good condition.

Reconstruction so far is as follows:

Bottom side rails 45% renewed. End platform rails new x2 with platform floor bearers renewed x4. End intermediate rails 1 new 1 repaired. Centre floor bearer renewed as was the floor bearers x2. All floor iron angle brackets removed, cleaned and refitted. Secured with new 50 x 12 coach screws. Carriage body secured to underframe by 100 x 16 CSK bolts. New plywood 12 mm thick counter floor fitted and screwed into place. 130 x 35 T&G flooring in situ.

Vehicle wooden framing cleaned and painted. All top and bottom outside T&G securing rails renewed. All the 4 outside window sills removed, 3 sanded down and refitted plus 1 new manufactured. Wooden stops for windows and louvre shutters renewed and set in place. Centre partition removed from carriage, old paint burnt off. Partition sanded down then replaced and secured in vehicle.

The absence of handbrake rigging and assembly has meant these items have had to be manufactured and gained from various sources.

There has been very good and exacting progress thus far aided by, during the winter months, members having been available 2 and 3 days per week.

At the time of writing, the axleboxes are being attended to. New exterior cladding has been fitted and primed ready for painting. The underframe has also been primed. Several months ago a headstock was replaced at one end of the car.