9103 Restoration - 2009

Details of our ongoing restoration work throughout 2009. The previous years restoration progress can be viewed at:

• 9103 Restoration
• Restoration progress 2004
• Restoration progress 2005
• Restoration progress 2006
• Restoration progress 2007
• Restoration progress 2008

Despite the dreadful weather recently we have now virtually completed the east side ready for final painting.

The last remaining single corridor door needed repairs to the hinge areas to make it stronger and the setting up took several attempts. We then had to rework the brake van double doors which also needed hinges replaced as at sometime during its life an incorrect type had been fitted. A solution was found after much experimentation with the different types! With these doors the inner one is fitted first, then the guards door fitted to the shut inner one. This takes a little while but all is now OK. Gareth, Barney, Don, Peter and Mick have all been working on this side of the coach.

The remaining job on the east side is to fit two further slam locks and make sure the final screws are in place.

You will see from the photographs that all the side and window surrounds are complete and in primer. We wait for dry weather before we move onto undercoat. Robin did most of the rubbing down filling and priming.

Meanwhile we are having to attend to the working platform by making up the ground on the west side before we begin work on that side.

Hopefully, soon the coach will take a short trip to Kidderminster to go onto 7 foot accommodation bogies so work can begin the bogie overhaul.

Keith Scott is busy installing the water filler pipes to allow the coach to be filled from the platform and Harry has begun to construct to GW style end boards so that we can protect from the weather when we refit the end corridor doors.

On the pattern front work is progressing on the toilet locks.

All offers of extra help would be welcome, especially Wednesdays and Saturdays.

And finally, a Happy Christmas to all our readers and supporters!

We are now nearing the end work on the panels and doors of the east side of 9103 - only the guard's double doors to go. We hope to start on the west side before end of the year.

With back road clear of stock, this side-long of 9103 is possible.

Work has also begun on the piping to the new water fillers as well. To maintain an authentic appearance, these will be out of sight just under the frames at the inside of the bogies.

A pattern has been made for support brackets for the communication rods on the ends of bow ended stock.

A new pattern for toplight luggage rack - just look at the complicated ornate work! More fine work from the Bridgnorth Pattern Shop.

Still progress along the east side 9103 - now with four doors finished and filling complete on two thirds of this side.

We are steadily progressing along the east side of the coach and have reached about half way.
The main activity is to ensure each door has clearance all around and opens and shuts safely and smoothly. This has called for realigning of the hinges and locks and some repairs as well as ensuring the door panel is bedded in and screwed home with new stainless A2 countersunk slotted screws. The external windows are also being resealed.
Regular volunteer Don is in hospital so we wish him a speedy recovery!

Photos from Saturday 15th August.

Work continues preparing 9103 for final painting. We are working along the east side repairing doors, resealing windows and filling over the screw heads with two-pack filler then rubbing down.

June 2009

A very significant milestone was reached in the restoration of 9103 on the 15th June, with the roof completed and painted, the coach shed the tarpaulin covering the coach for many years. 9103 has now effectively swapped places with Full Brake 1145 as the LNER (SVR) Coach Fund work up on the roof fitting a new canvas. Work on 9103 now concentrates on preparing the sides for final painting.

We begin with preparing the east side. Each door will be re-bedded and the windows sealed prior to painting.

9103 now in the area vacated by 1145.

A clear view along the west side.

May 2009

The north end corridor connection nearing completion.

One extra hoop was needed to replaced one removed in BR days, here the new roof hoop (to the right) is being shaped.

Painting of the roof is progressing well with first undercoat going on.

Here's the water tank filler now with final fittings.

With repairs to the roof complete, painting is progressing as fast as weather will allow! New member Gareth Price and Dave Smith have got the first coat of primer on. We are also preparing to re-instating north end corridor connection.

Barney and Don working on the first of the steel roof hoops which original bridged each roof sheet to seal them - these are now dummies since we have pop riveted steel over the join.

The end lead cappings are also complete.

Max attaching another roof hoop. In the foreground are the pads for the shell ventilators which have been bedded down.

A completed hoop and 2 ventilator pads

A view along the finished gutter. As soon as the hoops are complete it's time for filling and painting!

Photos: Mick Haynes