Restoration

Page Seven - the conclusion of the Heritage Lottery Fund work

	There was major delays in completing the seats. Despite being ordered right at the start of the project, there were manufacturing delays with the moquette, and when it did arrive it was at a very bad time for the upholsterer's. Some partition poles are still not fitted as we had to get some new brackets cast and machined. On the right can be seen the unusual double door arrangement for the gangway door.
	The radiators were missing from when we obtained the vehicle, as was the drive mechanism, which differed from later units as the radiator sat at the side of the engine rather than behind. We had to get all the drive mechanism's specially manufactured, seen on the left before assembly. Lightweight radiators differed from later ones also, but we had to make-do with later ones ex-108. We had one in stock, and the lads at Chappel (DUPA) thankfully did us a swap to give us a second. When new, 79018 had the header tanks in the vestibule ceilings, but after a few years in service it was altered to a small tank on top of the radiator.
	New vacuum hoses were obtained, for the vehicle ends, for the exhausters and for the connections to the cylinders / bogie. Also two spare hoses were for the brake van, as per original practice. They were painted in the original colours of black (release pipe) and white (brake pipe). Regardless of the colour they cannot be mixed up as the couplers are handed. Right: when new, the hoses are very firm!
	The engine mounts on the yellow diamond (and early white circle) cars differed from later sets, and we had to manufacture these. The biggest difference is that the flywheel end of the engine sits on a 'torque arm' rather than hangs directly on mounts. The torque arm can be seen painted black in these views, and the rubber sandwich mounts we had to make. The flywheel is also a smaller diameter.
	The first engine is carefully lifted into place.
	It wasn't long before the engine was connected up, and various new fuel / coolant pipes made. The vehicle moved for the first time in preservation during the group's AGM, and was taken out for a completely trouble free run the full length of the MRC a couple of days later, seen here at Swanick.
	Sitting outside the C&W shed, the power car created lots of interest, and nobody with a camera could resist a picture.
	Railcar50 started to approach very fast, and so when all the bits were finally available it was all systems go to try and get the seat frames, backs, cushions and re-chromed handles all assembled and fitted in time.

Railcar50