After a couple of early showers we had a cool windy day that allowed outside jobs to be done.

The team working on the 26 removed a number of the control cubicles to allow access to the body work behind. Again areas of heavy corrosion were cut away to be replaced by new steel. It is amazing just how much corrosion is present within the cab. This side of the cab is starting to come together although there is still plenty to do before re-assembly can start.

Ian carried out more work on the repairs in the buffet coach with the doorway partition in place.

The locking frame was put in place on the signal frame along with the covers. Once this was all secured the top covers were put in place. This is the signal frame complete for a moment.

One of the level crossing gates was retrieved from storage down by the Saxa van. It was transported up to the compound on one of the pw trolleys. These gates are very heavy so the least amount of lifting and moving is the order of the day. The gate will be repaired and painted before hanging on one of the restored gate posts.

More work was done on the generator, unfortunately this was not meet with any success, so it is back to the drawing board.

All being well new stock should be arriving during the week, so the blog will be updated when they appear. The railway is featured in an article in this Sunday’s Scotland on Sunday.

The inter-lock table re-fitted to the signal frame.

The lever frame with all the top covers in place.

One of the gates which has moved down to the compound from storage, so restoration can start.

A pw trolley that had been in use to transport the gate up to the compound.

Davie working on an area of corrosion on the cab. A new piece of steel will be welded in here.

Part of the team working on the cab of the 26.

New volunteer Tony who has joined the team working on the 26.

Some of the items from opposite side of the cab stored up against the window.

The control cubicles removed to allow access to areas of corrosion so repairs can take place.

Some of the new steel work welded up and cleaned up ready for painting.

The locomotive side in the engine bay stripped back.

The on-going work in the coach with the new partition in place.

The Mk 2 coach shunted to the top of the stock siding, ready for arrival of new stock in a week or so.

A completed section of the lever frame with covers in place.

Repairs to the floor in the buffet coach.

A new partition for the buffet coach.

A grey but mild day with some drizzle saw another good turn of volunteers attacking a number of the current list of ongoing jobs.

In the coaches Ian and John progressed the work they have been doing to repair the damage caused by water ingression in the buffet coach. The boards that were cut and glued last week were fitted.

The site tidy up team continued their work to get the site looking as good as possible an removing some of the potential trip hazards there are around the area. There was no fire this week as the steady rain put paid to that.

The 26 crew continued there work in the cab, the amount of steel-work going into the cab must surely be helping the ailing British Steels balance books! Further work was done on the cab door area. Most of the work is now done on this area and the steel work will be primed and painted before the focus changes to the other side of the cab.

The generator on the hand trolley was stripped to try and identify the problem that is causing it to fail to start. Despite a number of components being removed and checked nothing was really identified as being at fault so the investigation is on-going. All a little frustrating but we will get to the bottom of it.

The smaller section of the locking frame was cleaned up and then trial fitted back on the actual frame. The top covers were also put in p[lace on this part of the frame and it looks really good. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks the whole thing can be assembled.

Whilst all this was going on a shunt of some of the stock in the siding took place so that everything is ready for the fore-coming stock delivery.

As the day was drawing to a close the sun came out and the rain clouds drifted away, such is the delights of working at Whitrope.

The volunteers were again out in good numbers of a dull grey January day.

Further work was carried out on the new signal hut with two new windows cut which will allow much improved lines of sight for the signal person. The plan is to cut another set of windows to give the best possible view of operations for the person on duty in the signal cabin.

George applied a coat of primer to the gate post that was moved into the hut at the end of the platform last week. He then moved onto the 26 to continue work in there.

The general site tidy up continued with one of the containers sorted out and more waste cleaned up. A shunt of some of the stock in the siding also took place to ensure items were in the right place before the new stock arrives in the next couple of weeks.

The mild weather so far this winter has allowed us to progress jobs well so far. Hopefully this will continue so we can get through as many jobs as possible before the new season starts.

Andy keeping up with paperwork.

The new partition for the coach being left to dry, with some weights on to keep everything in place.

John and Ian working on the floor of the coach before new wooden flooring is laid.

George working on the gate post that was moved into the hut last Saturday.

A new window cut in the signal hut to give a better line of sight for the signaler.

Philip and Duncan working on the hut to cut out a window on this side.

To reflect the new window on the other side, this will allow a better view along the line.

Such a wonderful day for outside work, especially only being mid-January. Unfortunately, the Hawick crew were later in arriving having traveled via Bonchester Bridge to collect the latest order of cut steel to progress the work currently ongoing with 26040.

As a direct result of the exceptional Border Life programme last week, a new member / volunteer from Carlisle joined before heading on to the shops. He is looking forward to returning next weekend as a volunteer. For those that missed the programme it was shown on ITV on Tuesday 14th at 19:30. I’m sure it will be on catch up and is well worth viewing.

The first two restored level crossing gate supports were moved from where they had been stored and transported to the crossing so that the concrete bases could be marked for drilling. The third post, having been cleaned, was then moved indoors to properly dry prior to painting. Alan then started to remove paint and rust from the last gate support to be restored. The drilling of the concrete base had to be abandoned as the portable generator refused to start. A rethink and a plan was formulated so that the work can be progressed next weekend.

Ian and John were busy fabricating the new timber to replace the rotten timber in the buffet. Tom and Pete continued tidying the site and removing any unwanted items currently stored in containers.

The 26 received some of the new steel delivered today, the rusted metal door and window frames were replaced and the whole cab side made more robust. The cab door was removed so Ian could measure it up for the timber that is required.

As some of you may have seen in the on-line railway press we have purchase two of the recently withdrawn pacer units. These should hopefully be arriving up at Whitrope soon. They are fully operational, so we will be able to start driver training on them straight away. If things go to plan these will provide us with further stock for passenger operations this year. To help with the transport cost for these units we will be launching an appeal so please look out for that and any help would be much appreciated. With the arrival of the new stock there will be even more demand on our volunteers so if you want to come along and lend a hand please pop by, you will always be made welcome.

The partially de-rusted gate post being moved along to the platform hut where it can be primed and painted.

The final gate post on the trestles for cleaning up.

One of the completed gate post in position for sighting and checking.

Further work in the class 26 to strength the cab side.

A good number of volunteers braved atrocious conditions to be on site. Heavy rain and wind meant that there was a focus on inside work.

The team working in the class 26 were removing sections of corroded metalwork from around the door frame and replacing it with new material. There is still a large amount to do, but it is pulling this side of the cab back together well.

Further work was completed on the locking frame with most of the components cleaned and the frame partially reassembled. A start was also made on cleaning up the second section of the locking frame. Meanwhile John applied black top-coat to the two cover plates ready for when it goes back on the actual lever frame.

The other jobs around the site were put on hold as the weather remained miserable.

Work on the door frame in the class 26 showing the new metalwork to replace the corrosion damage.

The new upright stanchion and evidence of the extent of the corrosion damage in the area above the door.

The second section of the locking frame, at the start of the cleaning up process.

The main part of the locking frame which is now coming together well.

The top cover from locking frame which John had applied the first top coat to.

The top cover for the second section, again with black top coat.

Hello and Happy New Year everyone.
A good turn out of volunteers, keen to start the new year with a bang. A number of different tasks were undertaken, with work progressing on most of the current projects.

In the morning while the weather was slightly better work was carried out on the level crossing gate post, cleaning off the rust and flaking paintwork.
Some work was carried out on both the bug and RB004 to ensure that they are both fit to run.

The team working on the class 26 had a busy day removing the insulating from the inside of the cab roof. This allowed access to the metal framing and new metalwork to be welded in place to help re-construct the door frames. This will go a long way towards making the cab more water-tight.

Further work was carried out on the new signal cabin to improve the weatherproofing and prepare for additional windows. These will help improve the line of sight for the signalman in the cabin. More work was also carried out on the locking frame which will hopefully be fitted to the signal frame in the next couple of weeks.

It is the start of what promises to be another exciting year, with a number of the current projects coming to fruition. If you are interesting in coming along to help, please come along you will always be made welcome.

The insulation removed from the roof of the 26 so the team can weld in new door frame metalwork.

Rod cleaning up the area at the bottom of the door frame before Davie welds in new metalwork.

Davie welding in the cab of the 26 while everyone looks away.

Davie working on the new framework.

George working on the second set of level crossing gate posts.

The gatepost at the end of the day. A little more work then it can be primed.

On a dank afternoon the warmth of the buffet coach is very inviting.

Jim applying some more sealant around the new signal cabin to ensure it is watertight.

Baz on his way from carrying out work on the bug and RB004.

Just to prove that we do carry out some work between brews, an empty buffet coach.

Another part of the locking frame receiving attention.

Ongoing work on the locking frame.

A dry forecast for Saturday 21st prompted Alan and Jim to visit the site with the intentions of applying a coat of wood preservative to the new signal cabin before winter really sets in. Other small jobs, but none the less important, were also carried out including erecting a fence between the new signal cabin and reception hut. Silicone sealant and packing were added to the footings of the cabin to stop the ingress of water. The cabin was built with sleepers as a base but they are all slightly different thicknesses so still had to be properly sealed.
Chris arrived mid-morning and was engaged in weeding some of the track near the tunnel.
Arrangements had been made for a Christmas get together at Wetherspoon’s in Hawick, later in the afternoon. Nine of us enjoyed the “blether” and some tasty food.

 

A good turn out of volunteers for what will be last working Saturday of the year.

Work continued on the signal cabin and frame. Guttering was put up on the signal cabin which will hopefully help keep the rain out of the doorway. The old plastic sleeves on the levers were removed and the top of the levers buffed up. This makes the whole frame look much smarter.

The team working on the cab of the 26 continue to make progress. The air tanks were removed from the roof of the cab. This will allow access to some of the framework to restore areas affected by corrosion.

The exhibition coaches also received further attention with all the guttering cleared of the autumnal debris, which will hopefully help reduce the water ingress issues.

Overall a really good day with all the ongoing projects advancing a little.

Further work on the new signal cabin, with guttering added.

Inside the tops of the lever frame receive some attention.

Half the levers buffed up and half still to do.

Ian working on the guttering on the exhibition coach.

The cab roof in the 26 with the air tanks removed.

The ongoing work on the floor of the 26.

Some of the removed cab components stored in the engine bay.

The air tanks sitting on the LMS wagon.

 

A good turn out of volunteers saw numerous jobs undertaken across the site.

The team working on the 26 were out in force and continued to progress the repairs to the cab.
Baz was up with a new starter motor for the bug, that he had to import as there were none available over here. With the new starter fitted the bug was run up and given a quick outing to ensure everything was operating correctly.
The Ruston was also run up, as she had not been run for a while. This also allowed anti-freeze to be added to the cooling system ready for winter. Once started she was left to run for a while to ensure that the anti-freeze was well mixed into the coolant system.

The members on site got their first view of the new shed, which will act as the signal box with the recently fitted frame. With the frame protected from the weather, the job of the day was to fit electric lighting in the box. This was successfully completed and by the end of the day the light in new signal box shone out brightly on a very dreich afternoon.
Work on the interlocking mechanism also progressed and hopefully we will be able to fit this back on the frame fairly soon to allow the completion of this part of the project.
There is still still ground works to finish off around the signal box, but overall everyone is really pleased to see the excellent progress on one of the main projects we are currently undertaking.
Overall a very good day with a great deal achieved, despite the wet afternoon.

Work starts on a wet and windy Thursday to fit the shed over the lever frame.

The shed arrived pre-assembled, just needing bolting together.

The driving wind and rain made that task much more complicated than planned.

Steadily the shed took shape around the lever frame.

The roof being secured in place.

Ensuring the joints are all sealed.

With some work also carried out on Thursday the interlocking plate is looking much better.

The interlock and cover plate.

The Ruston running to allow anti-freeze which had been added to circulate around the system.

Saturday was that wet that Bill felt the need to wear his water proof in the coach, you can’t be too careful!

The completed shed that will act as our new signal box.

The lever frame now secure in a dry environment.

The entrance area to the new box, which will receive more work over the next couple of months to complete the project.

A view along the platform from inside the box, that says everything about the weather.

Pluto sitting just off the end of the platform.

The protective pipe for the cable run to the signal box, which will be buried as work progresses.

A rather damp Alan with the big switch on. It may not be Blackpool illuminations, but we were all pleased.

Alan in the dry, whilst the photographer was out in the rain.

The welcome light on a very dark and dreich afternoon

The team working in the 26, again showing how dark the afternoon had become.

A bright clear day saw a good number of volunteers on site.

The main job of the day was to connect up the signal to the lever frame. This was achieved by shortening one of the wire runs and fixing a bottle screw in the line to allow further adjustment. Then it was testing the run and seeing the signal bounce up into the raised position. It was a good reward for the team that have put in so much work to get the frame to this point.
The interlocking mechanism was retrieved from one of the containers along with it’s covers. These will be the last part of the frame to be restored. There are no plans to use the interlocking mechanism, but it is going to be restored to working order before we fix it to the frame. It is an interesting exercise to see how the mechanism works and how we will be able to repair it.

Further work was done inside the cab of the 26, although there is still a huge amount to do before this area is safe to use.

Elsewhere work continues on the Fowler down in Darley Dale. The bodywork has been removed, as has the power unit. There are a few hurdles to clear now before the new power unit can go in. We are still hopeful that we will see her back at some point next year.

The last major part of the signal frame to receive attention is the interlock mechanism.

Although we will not be using the interlock, it is to be refurbished.

Towards the end of the day the first part is split from the main section.

The major work now is to release all the individual components.

The wire to operate the signal was connected up, with this tensioner in the line.

The connecting pin on the bottom of the lever frame.

Further work underway in the cab of the class 26.

As can be seen the platework of the floor is just about completely rotted away.

The front wheel on the bogie visible through the missing floor.

Andy operating he point lever to test the operation of the signal.

The lever on it’s way.

The lever pulled and the signal arm raised, success. Andy warming up for his role as Santa’s little helper with the elf hat on.

The frames of the Fowler down at Denby Dale with the engine removed.

The engine of the Fowler removed from the frames.