Saturday 14 December 2013


We have trial fitted one of the buffer shanks, over the years all 4 have been bent where they bolt on to the buffer beam creating a dished effect. Since we straightened the beam none of the buffers will sit nicely on it now, Andy has spent a few hours turning them so the backs are flat, the down side to this is the thickness has been reduced. To overcome this problem we are going to fit some packers to the backs so they are to the correct length.
 

 

We are planning to have another riveting session next week hopefully this will see the veranda end finished.




6 comments:

HowardGWR said...

I'm so please I discovered this blog, much appreciated. I also discovered via (I think) the GWR 813 site, the blog on the D299 wagon restoration by Stuart (surname?). If he is still with you, I asked a question under the last entry, so perhaps he could have a look at it please? (It's called Frogspawnblog ).

I can't get a visit very often but will make a donation in lieu of the immense cost of petrol I save thereby! That's why these blogs are so important for fund raising.

Avon Valley Railway Wagon Department said...

HowardGWR
Thank you for your kind words. The toad belongs to the 813 fund and is currently as the blog shows having a very comprehensive rebuild to ex works condition at the Avon Valley Railway. The same happened with the Midland Open D299 this was privately funded by its owner (not Stuart) and the AVR provided volunteer labour.
Unfortunately Stuart no longer a volunteer at the AVR, he moved on to pastors new when the Midland was completed.
Donations would be very welcome to help with the ever increasing material costs for restoring the wagons, there are 2 ways of doing this either contact the 813 fund via its contacts page on its website http://www.gwr813.org/contact.htm or via the AVRs office, but please mark which restoration project you would like the donation to go to.
Thanks again for your interest in the blog and our restoration work
Ollie

HowardGWR said...

Thanks Ollie, I'll go the route that enables the tax saving to be made.

This was the question I put about the MR wagon. I expect you will know the answer. If so I should be grateful for your answer.
"you mention (that was Stuart) fastening coach bolts through metal top rails which keeps the top sheets weather-resistant. I got the impression that you wrote that these bolts went right down through all the sheets and through the 'curb rail'. Is that right? (I could hardly credit that.)

Avon Valley Railway Wagon Department said...

HowardGWR
I think the best method for a donation would be to contact the GWR 813 Fund direct
To try and answer your question about the Midland, are you referring to the coach bolts that go from the steal strips that protect the top of the timber to the curb rail at floor level? If so yes the bolts (8 in total) do go through all 5 planks then the curb rail on the sides only, not the doors or ends.

HowardGWR said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Avon Valley Railway Wagon Department said...

HowardGWR has left a new comment on your post " We have trial fitted one of the buffer shanks, ov...":

Thanks very much, yes I was, That must take some doing. How on earth does one drill that distance and so accurately?

We made the bolts 1st, and then fitted every plank tight. After making and screwing the capping strip on the top we drilled one plank, removed it then carried on drilling each plank removing them until we reached the bottom. Each side took about 20 mins to drill. I believe one did curve a little when we fitted the bolt but the others were straight, not bad for the total distance drilled. On the GW opens just the capping strip and only the 1st plank have a bolt through them but since the Midland design stops the planks from moving I am going to do the same on them.