Service is resumed - kind of!

Back at the end of July we held our Virtual Diesel Gala, in cooperation with the GWsR Social Media Team. Two days of competitions, videos, photo galleries and other interactive tit-bits were splashed across our social media platforms. Although, not on a par with the numbers we would get through the gate, it was still an event that made the efforts of all concerned worthwhile, with a very good number of 'hits' across all the activities - and added, perhaps, a new outlet to utilise in conjunction with the main Gala in future!

However, with all the fun of the Gala going on, eyes were very much on the 1st August....the first day when we could return to Toddington MPD and get back to working on the locos. When the day arrived activity started with an almost manic intensity with socially distant groups working on 1693, 45149, D5343, the DMU's and DES (probably a few more, but I wasn't present).  

Richard S provided me with a brief overview of the work his group were completing on the 'Peak'. This included cleaning and painting the floor around the triple pump as well as cleaning the cabs and engine room. Cleaning is definitely one activity that we will all be doing at some point over the next few weeks given that the locos have been idle for so long. The group also checked the levels on the batteries to ensure there was no damage or potential of failure of the batteries. 

Jake (in the droplight window), Alex (centre) and Harrison (right) pose with 45149 during a break in proceedings on 01/08/20. (Courtesy R. Scott) 

DES also received some TLC courtesy of its co-owner Paul and the team. DES had been in use during July as the Steam Department were back slightly earlier than us to prepare for resumption of public services. This left DES in need of some routine greasing. This included greasing up the axleboxes and connecting rods, oiling the brake gear and topping up the engine oil.

DES awaits a little TLC on 01/08/20. (Courtesy of P. Jones)

There was also work done on the Class 117 set. With it not being in daily use, as it normally would be at this time of year, it gives George and the team a sustained length of time to get to grips with some of the more niggly bits.Exams were completed on the set ready for when the time comes for crew refreshing. There was also work on the engine of returning DMS, W51405, with the team reassembling the head on the engine, leaving just an oil change before it can be reinstated.

With the first week back at the helm done, the following weekend (this one just gone) would see the rest of the railway slowly come back to life with 'ghost' services running to refresh crew competence and to test out the procedures being implemented ready for the resumption of a reduced timetable of services on the 15/08/20. Two trains were to run on the Saturday and Sunday allowing crews to do some route refreshment. 

Richard S, again, provided an update on the Saturday group's work on 45149 on the 08/08/20. An attempt was made to start the loco after fitting a new sight glass to the Settling Tank (although there is a suspicion of some trapped air in the system) and running the Triple Pump at just under 15psi, a start was attempted. A loud bang signalled a battery cell letting go. The cell was removed and a start attempted again - this time successfully. The CMDG's other loco, Class 26, D5343, has had its liners removed and work is ongoing in repairing the issues arising from the leaking cylinder liners. 

I decided on the Sunday opportunity for the 'ghost' train and headed to Toddington this morning (09/08/20) as I was booked on the 10am from Toddington. 

After completing a leisurely loop of the line behind 'Foremark Hall' I returned to the Diesel Shed to undertake my return to 'work' with the non-safety critical elements of the B-Exam on D6948. This included checking the condition of the batteries, all the fluid levels (and topping up) - engine oil, exhauster and compressor oil, turbo oil - and ensuring that the handbrake rigging, screw coupling and drawbar were all greased and free moving. It also included cleaning all the windows and cab surfaces.

English Electric Type 3, D6948, basks in the sunlight blazing into the shed through the skylights. 

D6948's prime mover. Auxilliary and Main Generator below with the turbos and intercoolers, above. The 12CSVT engine sits behind. 

One of the jobs on the B Exam is checking the turbo lubrication sight glasses. There are four - 2 each for each turbo. For some reason, this one is always low and requires regular topping up. It was completely empty today, but the other 3 were fine. No signs of any leaks, though!

All the Non Safety Critical stuff done - except the bits where the engine needs to be running. Our Technical Officer, Paul Good, will complete the rest in the week. 

It was good to get back to it, although the heat was pretty oppressive. I was quite glad we didn't have the engine running! Sister, 37215, was sat adjacent having been reunited with its bogies in March, just prior to lock down. Once D6948's B Exam is done it'll be 37215's turn as well as having an issue with its DSD rectified.

37215 sits in the shed awaiting its own B-Exam and reinstatement of its DSD; with 47376 'Freightliner 1995' behind. 

Work had been ongoing on the Saturday with some newly painted elements of Class 47, 1693 demonstrating that work on its overhaul was back in full swing. The loco is now in full undercoat, with one side now lined out ready for the top coat. 

Class 47, 1693. The end of the locos restoration gets closer with every passing week. The loco is now almost completely in undercoat.

The DMU team were busy out in the yard along with the heat and sun. The work was completed with reinstating W51405's engine which was run up and the exams finished on the 3-car set. Also in the yard were the two Class 04 shunters. D2280 has been having a lot of body work repairs completed and is wearing a coat of many colours, whereas 11230 remains operational for the time being. 

11230 and D2280 sit in the sun at Toddington MPD.

Whilst out in the yard it was surprising to see that all the scaffolding had disappeared around the new mess building - now known as The Goods Shed. During lock down, as well as the repair to the slip at Gotherington being completed, the remaining work on the shell of the new mess facility was also completed. However, the double whammy of the Gotherington slip and Covid will see the fitting out of the building go on the back burner for now. However, the building looks good and is definitely in keeping with the original goods shed, to which it is attached. 

The new mess facility, or at least the outside. With a bit of weathering it will look like it is just as old as the original Goods Shed behind it.

 

Finally, just a reminder that services resume on the 15/08/20 - although it is a much reduced service to maximise the safety of customers and volunteers alike. Pre-booking for services is essential and you can book on the main GWsR website. If these services sell well, and things go to plan, we could see diesel running by the end of the year. Keep your fingers crossed!!