Summer 2021
During the summer months, work on 731 has continued with steady rather than spectacular progress.
We have worked our way along the compartment side, undertaking frame repairs and applying wood preservative. By the end
of July, work had proceeded as far as Compartments 7 and 8. However, the presence of stored DMU engines within the museum
meant that the gantry from which we work could go no further. Negotiations are in hand to have these DMU components
removed so that safe working can continue. The completed panels were primed with aluminium primer, giving the carriage
the appearance of the Queensland Silver Bullet. Approximately half of the compartment side has now been structurally
completed.
However, there were lots of other things which can be done, and some of these were addressed. Frame repairs at the crash damaged east end (No 1 end) have been undertaken and we are now almost at the point where the new cill (already obtained) can be cut to size and fitted. This will be a long process involving much fancy woodwork. There will be only one chance to get this right, as we can’t afford another one!
Two sections of frame on the compartment side were almost completely missing or damaged beyond repair.
Therefore it has been necessary to manufacture the missing components and fit these, and this process is nearly complete
– apart from much sizing and fettling to make sure that the panels lie flat.
Please donate to the 731 fund if you can. Thanks!