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2426 Churchward Toplight Third - Restoration

The 1910 built toplight third 2426 is now resident at Bewdley. The roof has been covered and broken windows replaced. It is being converted to act as a workshop for 5043 and a varnish shop for us. It needs substantial structural repair and we have made a start on the north end. Parts are being made such as door locks and commode handles. It is mounted on 8 foot American bogies and drawings are slowly being found to aid restoration which is following on from 4786.

2426 Churchward Third Restoration Appeal - how to help return the Railway's oldest coach into service.

 

November 2023

2426

The oak lavatory door is now varnished. Front side. Photo: Rob Massey.

2426

And the rear side. Work continues on the other, Mahogany, door. Photo: Rob Massey.

2426

View of the south end with the floor, the end bar removed and the first section of the bottom-side on the compartment side. This has also exposed the top web of the headstock for repair. Photo: Rob Massey.

2426

The old end bar and end of bottomside. The newness has definitely gone off:) Photo: Rob Massey.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2426

Door no. 16 has been removed. Its condition is reasonable.

2426

Further bogie parts for cleaning: bearing, spring hangers and bolster safety brackets.

2426

One of the nine new bolections for the corridor side windows.

2426

Some of the mouldings removed from the south-end which will act as templates for replacements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2426

Much work has gone on exposing the south-end framework removing bolts, screws and pins. The sides will also be prepared along to the first of the external doors as the bottom-side repairs will go up to the first doors on each side. Photo: Rob Massey.

2426

The first vestibule door has been assembled after completing the mortices.

2426

Dave and Mike working on the mahogany lavatory door vacant/engaged latch and its hinges.

 

 

2426

Cleaning of the blind brackets has reached 48 out of the 80 to be done. Photos: Dave Smith.

2426

Further blind brackets polished.

 

 

 

October 2023

2426

Sicissors gangway frames.

2426

John Ashton admiring the first set of scissors gangways. Photo: Dave Smith.

 

 

 

2426

Lavatory door with panels and beading.

2426

Blind brackets polished.

2426

Stiles and strike posts for vestibule doors.

 

September 2023

2426

There is continued progress with the gangway metalwork. Timber packers has been fitted to the north end and most of the drilling for the scissors brackets is complete. Photo: Dave Smith.

   
August 2023

2426

The north end headstock is now fully painted. This end is also being prepared to fit the timber packing behind the corridor connection. This is in undercoat and will be fitted shortly. Photo: Dave Smith.

 

   
July 2023

2426

The compartment sliding doors progress. Photo: Mick Haynes.

 

   
June 2023

2426

Compartment sliding doors with top and bottom runners added. Photo: Mick Haynes.

2426

Blind brackets fitted. Photo: Mick Haynes.

 

2426

Internal droplights being varnished. Photo: Mick Haynes.

2426

Buffers in undercoat. Photo: Dave Smith.

May 2023

The compartment door fittings being cleaned and polished.

 

2426

Cleaning painting the underframe progressing, in red primer to the right and grey undercoat to the left. Photo: Dave Smith.

2426

The dynamo sling bracket offered up for drilling. Photo: Rob Massey.

 

March 2023 Update

2426

We've almost completed the solebar cleaning apart from the sections behind the steps. Photo: Dave Smith.

2426

The repairs to the internal droplights are complete and the first coat of varnish applied.

 

 

2426

We've successfully removed the second north-end buffer - finally!

 

 

March 2023

2426

Compartment doors assembled and backs fitted.

 

 

2426

Gangway door. This is from a contemporary GWR diner, dia H15 Lot 1115 no. 9526.

February 2023

2426

Five compartment sliding doors in various stages of assembly.

2426

Sliding door assembled.

 

 

2426

Corridor side solebar progress.

2426

Two of the four spare lavatory doors in our possession are being stripped down and new interior panels are being cut.

 

 

 

January 2023

2426

A buffer guide removed from the south end to expose the strengthening plate which will be partially replaced.

2426

Work has also begun to strip the solebar on the corridor side.

 

 

 

2426

Set of parts for compartment sliding doors.

Mortices cut and cross pieces ready for trial assembly of the doors.

Photos: Mick Haynes

 

December 2022

4786

Vestibule handles polishing up nicely. Photo: Dave Smith.

   
November 2022

2426

The underframe cleaning has concentrated on the vacuum pipe. The photo shows the dynamo tensioning stay, the tie rod and the dynamo pulley. Also visible are the three holes in the underframe which will take the bolts of the dynamo bracket. On Toplights these had to be cranked to avoid the vacuum pipe. Photo: Dave Smith

 

 

2426

The new section of reinforcing plate behind buffer shank fitted ready for welding.

September 2022

2426

The first of the four Queen posts has been stripped back and painted.

2426

Thanks to help from Graham Phillips, the buffer has been removed and the area cleaned and primed ready for the new plate. The buffer has been cleaned and greased and the guide has also been de-rusted.

 

 

2426

Work is continuing with the construction of 8 toplight compartment sliding doors. Six and a half BE doors have been de-constructed so far. The set of parts now awaiting paint removal has grown and cleaning off has begun.

2426

Progress has also been made on manufacturing GWR “original style” blinds. Here's an original blind with a sample of the new material on the left side. We're very pleased with this and we will order a quantity of material to make new blinds.

 

July 2022

2426

More of the solebar has been cleaned off and the battery boxes and being bolted to the brackets.

 

 

4786

The headstock is being cleaned back and primed. Some repairs will be necessary here.

June 2022

2426

Both the new battery boxes are in position although are still to be bolted in.

 

 

2426

We've started cleaning the solebar.

 

April 2022

2426

Work is continuing on Churchward Third 2426 with sections of the underframe cleaned and primed.

 

   
February 2019

4786

Metalwork has been prepared to construct a new scissors gangway.

 

   
January 2019

2426

Part of the corridor side frame before work started.

2426

A new corner post in place.

2426

Internal paneling ready for reinstatement.

 

Photos: Mike Walker

 

2426

Frame repairs proceeding well.

2426

End repairs to the compartment-side northern corner.

2426

End frame repairs complete.

2426

New toilet flooring.

 

September 2016

2426

2426 Churchward Toplight Full Third was released from duties at Hampton Loade on 15th September and is seen here at Kidderminster shortly after arrival. Photo: Bob Massey.

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
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