4786 Collett bow-ended corridor Third - restoration

And so we start on our next project! In October 2018 Collett corridor third 4786 moved to Bewdley so we could make a start on its restoration.

GWR Full Third 4786 Appeal - help bring a set of GWR Bow-end carriages into service on the SVR.

The compartment side stepboards now fixed in place. Photo: Rob Massey.

Rob Massey applying finishing black on the stepboards. Photo: Dave Smith.

The bogie bearing spring for first bogie.

The centre bolster with centre casting.

The main bolster.

Some of the first bogie's rocker parts. From the left top to the bottom right are:
Bottom rocker bracket which bolts to the bottom of the centre bolster and has a "V" which supports the rocker bar.
The 2 rocker bars with 2 holes on each for the retaining split pins.
Some washers and the top rocker bracket with new rubbers - there are bolted onto the main bolster.
The bolts to attach the bracket to the main bolster.
The centre bolster supports the centre casting as part of it and is linked to the main bolster via the rocking bars.

Stepboards on the compartment side.

End view of the corridor side stepboard. Photo: Dave Smith.

Corridor side stepboards prepared for fitting. Photo: Dave Smith.

Corridor side stepboard viewed from south end. Photo: Dave Smith.

Work on the first bogie is going well following the dismantling of the double bolster.

The bolster slings and rocker bars painted in primer.

Volute springs in finishing black.

The main bolster is now stripped and ready for grit blasting.

Further bogie parts have been brought up from Kidderminster then cleaned and painted. Photo: Dave Smith.

Bolster spring tie plates. Photo: Dave Smith.

Parts from the bogies: fulcrum, bearing spring cup and bolster safety brackets. Photo: Dave Smith.

More bogie parts for cleaning: bearing, spring hangers and bolster safety brackets.

Bow girders cleaned and painted in primer. Photo: R Herington.

At Kidderminster the bolsters have been been removed from the first bogie as well as the bearing springs and their hangers. The smaller items will be moved to Bewdley for cleaning and painting. The next job will be to dismantle the bolsters. Photos: Dave Insull.

Also at Kidderminster 9055 is in the paintshop with the town side varnished. Photo: Martin White.

The first bogie stripped down in Kidderminster works. The bogie has been fully dismantled apart from lifting the bogie frame off the bolsters and the wheels.

The brake block hangers are now at Bewdley for painting.

A pallet of bogie parts ready for grit blasting.

Bolster spring hangers after cleaning, now at Bewdley for painting. Photo: Dave Smith.

Bearing spring dampers after cleaning and ready for painting. Photo: Dave Smith.

Another view of one of the door headers.

Following the trip to Kidderminster 4786 is now back at Bewdley and is now sitting on accommodation bogies while we start dismantling the original bogies for overhaul.

Dave Smith has completed the signwriting on the compartment side solebar. This allows us to fit the stepboard on this side.

4786 was shunted out today (14th August) and sent to Kidderminster for lifting and putting on accommodation bogies and will then be turned before returning next Monday. Photo: Rob Massey.

In preparation to move 4786 to Kidderminster to put it on accommodation bogies, we removed the wide tarpaulins and added two new ones to cover the roof and keep any rain away from the incomplete roof.

Halfway through changing the tarpaulins. Photos: Rob Massey.

And with both tarpaulins in place. Photo: Mick Haynes.

Completed compartment. Photo: Gareth Price.

More of the external doors have been varnished and had their transfers fitted. Photo: Gareth Price.

Door No. 16 completed door panels with painted jambs and draught strips. Photo: Rob Massey.

Another photo of compartment no 1 with draught strips added and door panels complete with transfers and varnish. Photo: Mick Haynes.

The corner cappings being fitted. This completes the panelling. Photo: Rob Massey.

Compartment door jambs being undercoated. Photo: Mick Haynes.

The corridor scumbling now completed. Photo: Mick Haynes.

Corridor side progress. Photo: Mick Haynes.

Another view of the completed corridor side. Photo: Rob Massey.

The completed corridor side with destination brackets. Photo: Rob Massey.

New linoleum laid in compartment no. 2.

1145 the repaint is now finished.

1145 with transfers and lettering in place.

Compartment no7 with new upholstery and corridor window poles in place. Compartments no6 and no5 will be upholstered next.

Progress fitting corridor side panels. Photo: Rob Massey.

Elsewhere, the Association's sales stand housed in Churchward Toplight Full Brake 1145 is being repainted. The lower panels have been painted in red oxide with grey undercoat started at the North end. Photo: Rob Massey.

Door frames being primed.

A view along the compartment side with all panels and locks fitted.

Delivery of the first upholstered seats and backs. They fitted nicely paying us back for all the effort to get the seat dimensions correct! Photo: Rob Massey.

Good progress with the door header furniture with half of the luncheon advert panels in place and all the headers complete. Photo: Rob Massey.

All the top panels on the compartment side are now fully bedded and screwed and a start has been made on the lower ones. Photo: Rob Massey.

Most of the upper external panels on the compartment side have now been fully bedded in and screwed tight.

Tapered mahogany plugs have been fitted in the door headers - 6 more to go.

The picture backs and mouldings along with luggage racks and seat numbers are now installed in all compartments. Compartment no8 has typical GWR pictures added to give visitors an impression of the finished compartments.

The north end with most of the ironwork now in place...

...and now with the weight numbers and the permitted to work over Weymouth Quay plates fitted as well.

All the droplights along the corridor side are now fitted following careful adjustment so each one operates well.

Profiling on the compartment external doors is in progress. This is to ensure the panels and pockets for the lock and the strike plates match perfectly.

All 8 compartment doors have now been profiled. All the door panels have been treated and primed on their backs. Next we will fit the locks and strike plates before the panels can be bedded onto mastic and screwed for final fitting.

Doors 15 and 16 are now panelled with just one final section of the cladding to go.

Half of the seat numbers and brackets have been fitted.

Two views along compartment side. The final quarterlight glasses are also fitted so the coach now has all the static glass in place. All the remaining 'G' handles on the exterior are fitted plus the two long handles at each end of the compartment side.

The end steps and some of the grab handles in place.

The brackets for the small destination board and the carriage letter have been installed at both ends of the compartment side.

All but two doors have been fitted with the brass screws to the inner steel panels to the doors and 12 of the door tread plates have been fitted.

Photos: Rob Massey.

The south end vestibule door is finished and rehung.

Door panels to doors 9 and 10 have been fitted.

Photos: Rob Massey.

The framework repairs are nearly complete, just a few inserts to fit and trim.

The door thresholds and door post angle brackets now all fitted.

The Southeast vestibule door is now varnished (on the inside face) and painted (on the external face).

Lino is fitted in Northeast vestibule and compartments 5, 6, 7 and 8.

Photos: Rob Massey.

Externally the final two new door posts for doors 15 & 16 have been fitted and external panels are now up to mid point.

One of the four compartments now fitted with luggage racks, door internal panels, door side mouldings and new glazing.

The communication chain tubing fitted along the corridor.

The refitted lavatory furniture following laying the vinyl floor in both lavatories.

The paper towel holder also refitted along with the toilet roll holder and the waste bin.

Photos: Rob Massey

The cream toilet hoppers have been treated and re-coloured bright white. We've treated two for 2426 as well.

Compartments no's 7 & 8 are receiving their luggage racks.

All the ceiling ventilators have been fixed into place.

Compartment no. 6 progressing with new tongue & grove paneling along the external wall.

Compartment no. 8 prepared for the seats and seat backs to be upholstered.

The corridor window mouldings reinstated.

Door no. 11 and framework repairs between doors 11 and 12.

Further progress on the compartment-side door no. 11 now re-hung and the panelling progressing.

North end lavatory ready for the new vinyl flooring cover.

Door no. 10 is now rehung and fits well.

The frame repairs between doors no. 10 and 11 are progressing well.

First set of dolly switches in place and the dimming system is operational.

The south end lavatory hopper window complete with cover.

The south end lavatory in place with flush cover stained and varnished.

Framework and cantrail repairs are continuing. The section between compartments 9 and 10 is nearing completion. The facing section to the cantrail should be added soon and the top panel is ready to be fitted.

The south end lavatory with flush valve cover fitted.

The stepboard corridor side is now painted.

2999 is still with us and seen here crossing Oldbury Viaduct. Photo: David A Smith.

Compartment no. 6 with picture backs and cornices in place.

Compartment 5 ceiling now in finishing coat - the last one.

Pete Simpson's Riding Van 89 of 1908 has now passed to the Association and we've been cleaning and sorting in preparation for use as our mess van. Photo: David A Smith.

The repairs to the final section of cantrail are underway.

And congratulations to Paul Dorney from the restoration team on the publication of his book 'Black Country Steam' published by Pen & Sword. It is strongly recommended!

Compartment no. 5 with the final ceiling panel in place.

Compartment no. 7 with the ceiling painted.

2999 leaving Bewdley. Photo: David A Smith.

Fitting the final roof edge has been completed. The clamps are supporting the repairs to the face of the cantrail and the old steel screws have been drilled out to remove any chance for further splitting. Photo: Rob Massey.

...the cantrail with the clamps removed. Further repairs are still be needed here and will be tackled next.

The lavatory seat at the north end with its supporting bracket. The seat lids with be tackled next.

The coat handles and the gentleman’s 'steadying' handle in place.

The ceiling in compartment No 1 with lamp reflectors and bulbs installed.

The stepboard for the corridor side has now been completed and trial fitted. This will be painted next and then permanently fitted. This has been made from Douglas Fir so hopefully will be long lasting.

Compartment No. 1 with ceiling complete, pictures and mirror in place.

The distant switch in corridor.

Roof edge repairs - just 3 sections to go.

Compartment doors now being fitted with the exterior panels.

Painting the solebar dimensions is complete thanks to Dave Smith, enabling us to commence the stepboards on the corridor side.

View along the corridor with all door panels now fitted.

4498 on test passing through Bewdley station. Photo: Bob Massey.

The remaining sections of roof edge are being cut away.

The roof edge fitted on second section of new cantrail.

Removing the last of the old panels on the compartment side.

Picture backs cornice and ceiling being finished off in compartment no1.

South-end lavatory being fitted - this will be changed to white.

The door headers are being installed by Paul as part of our concentration on completing the door fitting. He has fitted 7 out of the 8 on the corridor side do far.

Door header in place.

The flush valves are being trial fitted in the 2 lavatories. It is important to get the position just right for them to work properly. We are expecting the new soil pipes imminently and then we can be sure they work correctly.

The new section of replacement cantrail fixed in position. Photo: Rob Massey

In compartment 8, the outer ceiling panel with beading, cornice and anti dust moulding.

Door 10 assembled - just one more to go.

Photos: Mick Haynes.

The internal panel has been fitted on door no.3, on the corridor side. Door no.2 is also fitted and door no.1 will be next.

Our new Greenhouse:) We will use this for painting and varnishing. Hopefully it will survive the storms.

Elsewhere the underframe painting is nearing completion with most now in chassis black, the gutter plates are being filled, flatted and re-primed to ensure a smooth finish, and the levelling of the floor in the corridor is progressing well and the tops of the body bolts will be next.

The North-end Lavatory Door is now installed.

The south-end lavatory beading is fitted and the walls patch filled, flatted and re-primed. Here's Robin admiring his handy work!

The door is now fitted to north end lavatory.

All but one of the roof hoops have been tied in to the new cantrail.

The south end lavatory is receiving its tiles and the washbasin is in place.

Trial fitting of the steel door panels, this will be finished in mahogany colour. Also Door 11 has been assembled and glued and door 13 taken off and disassembled ready for the usual repairs.

Cleaning and painting of the trussing is progressing well.

The transoms between trusses. Also Dave Smith is preparing to sign write the solebar which will in turn enable us to start fitting the stepboards.

Our Best Wishes for 2022!

You'll see from the photos that both lavatories are making good progress. Elsewhere we've been cleaning off the gutter plates and cleaning the underframe trussing. Door 5 received its panel meaning that all doors on the corridor side are fitted and work!

The internal door panels are being painted in undercoat brown whilst fitting the garnish panels and the panel supports has begun. We are using door 10 for trial fitting.

On the compartment doors the repairs to the parts for door 11 are nearing the time when assembly can be contemplated and door 9 is close to final adjustment.

The first new garnish rail fitted on door no. 10

Progress with the south end lavatory support mouldings.

The North end lavatory now with walnut scumbling and pelmet and window mouldings in place.

Lavatory corner where the hopper will be installed.

Close up of the lavatory hopper ventilator.

The North end lavatory has been brought up to finishing coat.

Ceiling beading now in place.

New panelling in compartment No. 1.

The solebar is being painted after stripping to bare metal.

The new cantrail looking towards the end - another long section will go in to replace the rotten wood on the left.

New gangway canvass being fitted.

Photos: Mick Haynes

The south end lavatory framework repairs, on the compartment side, are progressing well.

The first lavatory is now in undercoat.

The north end gangway is being prepared for its canvass.

Photos: Bob Massey

The first side panel fitted on the compartment side.

Chris helping Dave Smith with the solebar - a rare photo:)

New tarpaulins are fitted, these give much more light while working beneath.

The gutter plates ready for cleaning.

The solebar date stamp shows the underframe was constructed in September 1925.

Mike Walker has now completed the framework repairs to the north end and the end panels are now on. Rob has fixed them on permanently and installed the gangway brackets.

Mike Walker is making great progress with the north end toilet frame. Photo: Rob Massey.

We have completed installing the ceiling panels up to compartment 7 and are working on compartment 8. Some of the ceiling pattresses are also installed.

Trial fitting of the picture frames.

Now the corridor doors are hung we have begun to work along to fine tune each door to profile and to ensure that the private locks and 'V' plates are all present and fit.

Ceiling in place in compartment no 1 with picture panel.

The ceiling team happy with their work in compartment no 1!

The corridor connection has been removed from the north end and repairs begun.

Corridor connection frame waiting repairs.

The varnishing of the compartment doors is complete. Here's sliding door no 8 viewed from the corridor side...

...and from the compartment side.

Photos: Mick Haynes

Scumbling on corridor wall.

View along corridor.

New ceiling panels being primed.

View of the steam heat pipe and tank filler pipes.

Richard applying paint to the back of a compartment D panel.

External doors being prepared for hanging.

Another view of the external doors.

Doors 13 and 15 opened and in reasonable condition.

View of the work required on the framework - the pillar is OK but...

At long last we are almost fully back at work!

Tuesday 30th March saw a major shunt to rearrange Bewdley yard and released 4150 in preparation for its move to Bridgnorth.

Together with the LNER SVR Coach Fund's GWR Wheelchair and Buffet project 9581, 4786
was tripped to Kidderminster to be turned on the turntable. Photo: Richard Herington.

The compartment doors are being varnished.

The regulator cupboard wiring nears completion and is being prepared for scumbling.

With the now coach turned, the poor condition of the cantrail on the no. 1 end of the compartment side can be accessed and is being prepared for repair.

The seat bases are progressing well. The extensions to their front rails are complete and work has begun to tie the springs into position. Photo: Richard Herington.

After another pause we're back at work now.

The regulator cupboard doors are back in situ after painting with satinwood scumble.

All but two seat backs and bases have been trial fitted before upholstering.

With lockdown easing, progress is picking up again.

The south end vestibule including rail.

Lower part of vestibule scumbled.

Door 3 repaired.

The vestibule including the distant switch cupboard.

The newly installed gangway canvas. Photo: Bob Massey

New seat backs being made.

Repairs to compartment partition in progress.

Door closers for 6045 and mirror frame for 4786.

Photos: Mick Haynes

The overhauled suspended gangway frame in position.

The north end vestibule ceiling and coving.

Door headers under repair.

A batch of corridor hand rail brackets cleaned and polished.

New wash basin supports.

A view along corridor towards the distant switch.

The south end toilet floor.

Photos: Mick Haynes

The gangway frame with new bottom angle and receiving weld repairs to corrosion pitted areas.

The corner post repairs completed.

The top and left side end panels trial fitted.

The vestibule ceiling panels fitted and filler applied.

The vestibule ceiling complete with pelmets fitted.

All the picture frame panels are fitted – this is a new one with a new picture installed.

Photos: Bob Massey

A view along the completed corridor framing and panels.

Some of the completed droplights.

Wiring in place for the Distant Switch Cupboard.

All 9 window frames and glass now installed.

Components for new seat backs.

A view of the vestibule ceiling.

A view of the painting area in coach no 98 containing a toilet base and two small destination boards.

Photos: Mick Haynes

On 4786 the corridor side framework repairs are complete and work has begun to repair the north corner post. We will shortly fit new glass to all nine of the large corridor windows. Work has begun on repairs to the external doors.

Newly painted underframe and the steam heat piping installation.

Some of the external doors for 4786 under repair.

Toilet tiles at the south end cleaned or replaced.

View of the new corridor ceiling panels.

View looking along the corridor from the north end where there's still ceiling panels to fit.

Trail fitting of the seat back and base - they fit well.

Photos: Mick Haynes

More of the compartment frames have been fitted.

Repairs have begun on door no. 1.

Corridor ceiling being fixed into place.

The first of the new radiator castings.

Work has begun on stripping the toilet at the south end.

Tiles being fixed in north end toilet.

Newly repaired framework, corridor side.

New ceiling in north end toilet.

Trial fitting of seat back and panelling.

New photo frames being made and fitted.

Rewiring in progress along the corridor ceiling.

View along the corridor receiving base colour.

View along the corridor with new cantrail and roof edge.

The rotten cantrail before replacement.

New cantrail fitted.

Roof edge fitted.

Newly built regulator cupboard installed.

The new battery box is now fixed into position.

Ceiling panels ready to be fitted.

More progress with the seating.

Tiles being cleaned down.

Photo: Mick Haynes

Despite the recent weather we're making good progress!

The inward face of the vestibule door.

The exterior of the vestibule door.

Another seat base ready for modification.

Photos: Mick Haynes

More new roof edges - just three remaining on the corridor side to complete.

The new picture frames in compartment no1.

The hole where the larger roof tank was.

Brake shaft and vacuum cylinder brackets being painted.

The first four roof panel edges have been fitted to the South end of the coach.

The next three sections have been cut away for cantrail repairs. Framework repairs and new galvanised panels are completed from door 4 onwards.

The North end framework exposed. The cantrail is rotten and will be replaced but the corner post is sound.

All the corridor side doors now open but there much still to do to bring them up to standard.

Photos: Robert Massey

Cantrail repairs underway on the riverside of the coach...

...with the first of the new roof edges fitted.

Dave making adjustments to another seat base.

The two Brian's at work on internal droplights.

Work has concentrated on the body framework and panelling as well as the compartment doors and seats.

View along the corridor side showing we have reached between door 5 and 6.

Window 6 framework repaired.

The new battery boxes receiving paint.

Photos: Mick Haynes

Compartment door now ready for rehanging.

Another seat base being modified.

Compartment 8 sliding door.

Compartment panel and internal droplights under repair.

Body repairs in progress along the compartment side.

Window no. 8 frame repairs progressing well.

A compartment sliding door repaired...

...with another compartment door under repair.

First of the new battery boxes near completion.

New end panel cutout and trial fitted.

Close up of the end panel.

Compartment view towards the corridor.

Lock-side post to carry door no. 7 removed for renewal.

Photos: Mick Haynes.

Stripped mahogany panelling and window mouldings in compartment five.

View along full length of corridor, painting of compartment sides complete.

Stripped north end vestibule door.

Corner plates fitted to the repaired framework.

Exterior view of the repaired framework.

Interior view of corner plates and new window mouldings.

Repaired stringer above the headstock.

Photos: Bob Massey

A view along the corridor showing progress.

The south end vestibule has cleaned up well.

A modified seat back and base being trial fitted.

The repairs to the framework have begun.

Photos: Mick Haynes

The corner post is in good condition.

A view along the new scaffolding.

A kit of parts for the battery box.

A view along the corridor of the last sections still to be stripped.

The work on 4786 has started well. We are working mainly on the corridor side starting from the south end. Much of the framework is in good order, except for the bottom stringer which will need repair along with replacement of all the body brackets. The doors are also good only needing repairs to the lower part of the jambs.

We are currently stripping off the layers of paint, and trial fitting the seats. Our plan is to clean off, repair and refit as we move along as the coach is fairly complete and it will save us storage space. A working platform will be erected during the coming week.

A view along the corridor after cleaning and tidying up.

A view of the south-west corner after the external panels have removed ready to repair the frame-work.

We are trial fitting the seat backs and bases before re-upholstering.

Photos: Mick Haynes

We've ordered a regulator cupboard to fit in here.

The south-west vestibule the end panels have been removed.

The toilet doors are sound...

...but the toilet compartment needs some work!

4786 shunted into position at Bewdley. The coach will be covered with new transparent tarpaulins. Initially we will remove the external panels to assess the work to be done.

Photos: Dave Smith.

A few views of the interior, a surprising amount of the original has survived.