Gearing up for the launch of the “Hastings” Brake on Saturday 31 May
Not only has Maunsell brake 3rd No 3687 had a successful test run, but brake composite 6686 has just emerged from the paintshop, meaning that all the four-coach rake are now in tip-top condition ready for 3687’s entry into traffic on 31 May. The Maunsell set should then be in service on weekends through June. Our other two operational Maunsell carriages, open thirds 1309 and 1336 have also both been thought the paintshop for touch-up and revarnish recently.
Successful test run for Hastings Brake
Last Thursday, 15 May, 3687, in the company of 1336 along with brake van 404, was hauled by our SECR O1-class No.65 for a test run. This included testing of the through lighting controls, the hand and vacuum brakes, emergency braking and operation of the passenger communications alarm. The carriage, built in 1931 to the narrow “Restriction 0” width of 8-ft for use on the line from London to Hastings, will become the first operational “Hastings Gauge” Maunsell coach since the early 1960s when it makes its debut on 31 May.
Maunsell Brake Composite outshopped as well
28 years on from its restoration, Maunsell Restriction 4 brake composite No.6686 has just emerged from the paintshop, following a touch-up and re-varnish. At least, that had been the plan, but corrosion to some of the steel panels below the sidelights (windows) on the corridor side meant that, at the same time, it was sensible to undertake additional work to ensure the carriage was in the best possible condition for another decade maybe until it falls due for a more major overhaul. Â
So whilst our carriage painter, Dave Clarke, assisted by volunteers, rubbed down, repainted where necessary (whilst saving the lettering and lining by masking them off and painting around them) and then revarnished the rest of the coach, our welders, Steve and Paul, set about cutting out and welding in new steel sheeting where required, as seen in three of the accompanying photos.Â
The first, thanks to Dave, shows the new sheeting being inserted under three of the sidelights on the west side of the coach. The nearest one awaits welding, the middle one has been welded in place and awaits trial fitting of the sidelights; following test fitting of the third sidelight, the sheeting has been primed and filler applied.
Dave then built up the paint on that section, and re-did the lining. Yesterday the coach emerged from its relatively short stay in the paintshop, and is receiving its 6-monthly maintenance exams, ready to rejoin the rest of the Maunsell set for its next period in service.
You can see a comprehensive set of photos of the work undertaken on Dave Clarke’s Flickr site.
