Post by swanrail on May 22, 2008 12:41:15 GMT 1
As every one else seems to be doing two, if not more, models at the same time, I thought that I would show my bit on the side as well.
I have been at it for about 3 years now, with another year or so to go. She is 34ft long and 115 years old. My efforts, which take up my summer free time, are intended to keep her in a reasonable condition, as full restoration work would be virtually impossible, unfortunately.
We use her to keep all our tools and supplies in for the working parties at the station. She left working service in the 20's, was a camping coach for the next 30 years and then a hen coop before coming back onto the railway. Unfortunately, when retired she had some internal partitions ripped out for bedrooms, etc and this has caused the roof to sag. We are looking at ways to redeem this whilst keeping an open working area.
She also suffered in that when leaks occurred, no proper action was taken such that some structural beams have rotted. A roof one some 6 ft long is my next project to replace, it lies just above the open section of the skin in the following picture:
On this side, I have also managed to get 4 of the 5 doors to open again, on the other side, so far only the one.
The reconditioned side, (where the passengers can see it), was completed two years ago, and is in a better overall condition than the side I am now working on.
We dare not put back the glass windows, as in this day and age this would be sadly asking for trouble!!
If anyone is visiting this area at any time, I can gladly show them my two "current" models, at the cost of a train trip to help our running funds!!!!
I have been at it for about 3 years now, with another year or so to go. She is 34ft long and 115 years old. My efforts, which take up my summer free time, are intended to keep her in a reasonable condition, as full restoration work would be virtually impossible, unfortunately.
We use her to keep all our tools and supplies in for the working parties at the station. She left working service in the 20's, was a camping coach for the next 30 years and then a hen coop before coming back onto the railway. Unfortunately, when retired she had some internal partitions ripped out for bedrooms, etc and this has caused the roof to sag. We are looking at ways to redeem this whilst keeping an open working area.
She also suffered in that when leaks occurred, no proper action was taken such that some structural beams have rotted. A roof one some 6 ft long is my next project to replace, it lies just above the open section of the skin in the following picture:
On this side, I have also managed to get 4 of the 5 doors to open again, on the other side, so far only the one.
The reconditioned side, (where the passengers can see it), was completed two years ago, and is in a better overall condition than the side I am now working on.
We dare not put back the glass windows, as in this day and age this would be sadly asking for trouble!!
If anyone is visiting this area at any time, I can gladly show them my two "current" models, at the cost of a train trip to help our running funds!!!!
I'll take you up on the offer when I get back to good old Blighty
