Summer 2022
The two "spare" LNER bogies which had been stored in the open air for several years were shunted into the RCB so that work could start to try to make them usable as accommodation bogies, initially to go under TK 1002 to allow its bogies to be removed and refurbished as required. These bogies should also fit the Thompson TTO 13803 and the Gresley Buffet 644 for future bogie overhauls.
One of the bogies was pretty much complete but the other (farther from the camera) was missing all of the spring sets which support the central bolster. Brian Williams spent many "happy" hours jacking and crowbarring the various bits of very heavy metal to get the bolster components in approximately the correct place so that substitute "springs" (plywood and rubber packers) could be fitted to hold the bolster at roughly the correct ride height. As the accommodation bogies will only be used in the yard, absolute accuracy was not required.
While the bogie work was ongoing, Jim summers and Rod Harrison set about applying more coats of exterior varnish. The external appearance of the carriage body did not change much, but the sense of protection for the exterior and the transfers was much increased.
Please don't forget the Gresley TK appeal - every penny counts!
