Autumn 2021
After the missing sections of framework had been replaced, attention turned once again to the
panelling. A slow progress was made up the vehicle , starting from the section below doors 6 and 7. First, the waist
panels were cut and fitted, using the same sort of lost head nails employed in the original build of 1914 by the
Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company: replication of original techniques where possible is one of the
conditions laid down by the Trust in the Restoration Protocol.
Then, the lower panels down to the bottom side member were cut and fitted. However, there has to be a change of technique here: lost head nails simply will not hold Class A Marine Ply over the tumblehome curve of the carriage, so screws have to be employed to secure the panels in position. When this process had got to door 11, the last door, the disaster that was No 1 end had to be tackled. Because of the difficulty in restoring the framework here, it was thought best to use screws throughout this section, including the upper panels. This gives greater strength to the overall assembly. Of course, all timbers and panels were treated with preservative before panels were fitted. Finally, some work has been undertaken on the doors themselves: and 5 of the 7 doors on the compartment side have are now able to be closed and locked. Doors 5 and 7 remain stubborn and will have to have a severe talking to shortly.
Please donate to the 731 fund if you can. Thanks!