Summer 2026
Work continued on the construction of the new cargo doors and also on the refurbishing of the original compartment and cargo doors. One of the most challenging is the guard's inward opening door on the south side. This was in a real mess and took a lot of work to bring it up to the required standard. Being inward opening, the hinges are non-standard as well just to complicate matters.
On several doors, when cleaning up the garnish rails, numbering and lettering has been discovered. This
was almost invisible under several layers of filthy varnish. However, careful application of Acetone on the above rail has
shown the rather nice lettering below. Research in Harris's book has revealed that 62515 did indeed carry the number
16122 after the 1946 renumbering. We will be keeping this number for the completed coach.
On the same door 16, the ventilator has stamped on it 18248 so this has been "borrowed" from a composite carriage, York
built in 1938.
While the body is still lifted off the chassis, we did not want to add too many heavy things as this would add to the body stress while lowering the body back on to the solebar. However, one of the lighter things which could be progressed was the support frame which goes under both ends of the compartment seats. Quite a job considering all the odd angles which HNG decided to incorporate.
Wiring for the hidden public address system loudspeakers was run in conduit under the flooring. We decided to get this in while the body was still raised above the solebar as access was much easier.
The batteries which will eventually be used in this carriage have been hooked up "off line" so they can be frequently cycled to remove the sulphation which had built up during the lengthy period when they were left discharged. They were removed from the Caley Sleeper 10580 when it was put on display in the museum. Photo shows the batteries during a discharge phase when 2 x 60W lamps are used as a dummy load.
Rob did a sterling job in constructing the support cabinet for the washhand basin in the toilet. At this stage it is proposed to have a cosmetic toilet as there is no roof water tank, this having been removed many years previously.