Summer / Autumn 2024
During the summer and autumn, substantial progress has been made with the east (No 1) end of 731. Firstly, the new oak headstock was machined and fitted, after some struggling. It is a very heavy item indeed. This was followed by the retrieval of the drawhook and coupling from storage, as well as the buffers themselves. These have all now been fitted, too.
The defective and broken end panels and mouldings were removed and new panels made up and put in place, although it was possible to repair the outer panel in situ. This is required by the protocol of the Trust for the restoration of the vehicle. New mouldings were made (thanks, Don!) and fitted and the east end is now complete once more.
Internally, the electricians have been very busy and the re-wiring of the vehicle to modern safety standards is now complete. Old 731 now has working electric lights for the first time since 1954. Just brilliant (literally).
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The west (No 2 end) had been subject to a poor repair at Barassie and this has now been
stabilised and filled, then sanded flush and the whole end primed. So, to those in the know who said the repair
could not be done ..... |  |
Please donate to the 731 fund if you can. Thanks!