Wednesday the 26th a dry day with a cold wind and the open GWSR day brought a few visitors around.

first tak of the day was to remove weight from the old lathe so it can be moved outside. motor and frame off along with the drive and tail stock

Second  task was free off and connect the hand brake rods and compensator on the Morris, getting one side off was awkward but the inner end unscrewed unlike the out which resisted all efforts of penetrating oil, rust remover and oxy propane. the yoke is still solid and he rod is flexing but as both ends are r/h thread it needs to be removed to adjust it.

now back on and the rear linkage works but it needs coupling to the lever in the cab .

A visit to the records office of the R & A Trust where Tony and Wayne were busy digitising slides and photos for uploading to the online data base. This is a mammoth task as donations of old photos from private collections keep coming in as the older train spotter and enthusiasts are dying and the families have no use for loads of photos.

The room also contains a large collection of books for research.

It was then Scammell time but the battery was low so get the wiper working the indicator that was earthed to it works fine but continuity testing proved an open circuit so motor assy was removed for a bench test and diagnostics which proved it works. So refit and make n earth wire to connect to the loom lower down the body and it works but unable to locate the wiper arm and blade. Battery was left on charge.

Lathe removal time now it is light enough for one person to move out of the workshop, now it is outside a brush and the airline cleaned off the dust.

This freed up a nice area in the workshop

The Morris bonnet hinges were in need of attention so bonnets off and stripped this allows access to de rust and paint the piano type long hinge.

The centre hinge pin was removed and the inner deflector had a light shot blast and paint, the brass hinge pin made life easier the outer side panel hinges were removed to make it easier to handle and de rust prior to repainting.

 Wednesday the 19th a warmer windy start but the sun came out.

Time to get the last remaining brake stripped on the Morris after 2 weeks of soaking the adjuster still will not move so heat was applied to no success. 16 stone on the end of a 5ft bar got it to turn.

after much straining and hammering it got easier but still needed a long lever the, hand brake was off but linkage was tight so a simple pin out job that required oxy propane to get it hot enough to move. and separate the rods  then with me turning the drum Greg hammered the linkage in and suddenly we had easier rotation but the drum still needed the big hammer to come off 

seized pistons in the cylinder and adjuster needed cleaning and lubricating

A quick shot blast of the shoes and it was reassembly time

Wheels are now on and brakes adjusted but a heavier jack is needed to get the rear up onto stands so the handbrake linkage can be stripped and freed off as the tyres have sunk a few inches into the ground.

Then it was time to assemble the front brake now the cylinders have been freed off and cleaned up, this is now awaiting the shoes to have new linings fitted.

Greg has been busy on the scammel with final tidying and revisiting a few jobs as it stands outside so the weather affects it. But it runs and now needs a weekly run around the field to keep it that way, 

The extended test blew the O ring on the engine oil filter as we did not have a replacement when it was stripped and cleaned so a quick measure and google search means 2 are on their way.

Then  it was over to the flatbed trailer to free off and lubricate the parking brake linkage as it has been standing for a few years and needs coupling up to the tractor unit and moving for restoration.

  For myself Wednesday the 12th was spent in the Netherlands

The weeks holiday included Utrecht which has a Spoorwegmuseum ( Train Museum ) which we visited and I must say It was more impressive than York Railway Museum.

So a few photos of the hours spent there. Like he GWR they also have old railway artefacts on display and associated items

Plenty of models in all sizes

Old time pieces

Old engines

Masses of outdoor spaces full of displays and you can just wander around.

The Orient Express has Cairo street, the offices and hotels along the journey.

The mine shaft takes you back to 1937 and Stevensons Rocket

There are Simulators were you ride through time and scenes we got the 4 drivers seats it is back to the future stuff after instructional videos.

Then there were kids trains rides outside and a roller coaster plus lots of train stuff