January 2008
The
headlight shroud on RM121 was severely corroded so the shroud
from RM119, which was in much better condition, was cut from 119
remains and welded into place on RM121 as can be seen in the photo
below.
RM121
outside the goods shed with its new headlight shroud in place.
photo: Graeme Moffatt January 2008
Work
on the cab under-floor of the cab has seen some pad welding done
to thicken up places that have corroded away and the whole area
has now been corrosion proofed.
RM121
inside the workshop undergoing pad welding of its under-floor.
photo: Graeme Moffatt January 2008
November
2007
Since our last report the No 2 End of RM 121 has seen a major
transformation from a car that was in two pieces and had suffered
severe corrosion around the cab front and vestibule walls.
Back in June 2006 the complicated process of carefully aligning
and joining the two halves was completed with four new sections
of longitudinal channel welded into place connecting the sole
bars and inner channels together.
In October last year the joining of the two halves was completed
with the fitting and welding of new steel body panels over new
longitudinal roof and wall framing sections which had been fabricated
and welded in place in the gap between the two body sections.
Over the Christmas period a start was made erecting the new steel
wall framing for the drivers cab. This was followed by removing
the corroded partition wall sections between the cab and vestibule
on both sides of the cab and replacing them with new steel wall
framing sections. The detailing and fitting of the new wall framing
has required considerable effort to maintain the alignment of
the complex curved profile to the front end of this Railcar. In
May of 2007 our certified welder welded up the cab frame structure
to new floor plates which are temporarily bolted to the headstock
and underframe.
Recently new steel panels for the replacement cab front and side
window surrounds arrived on site. Some quite detailed panel work
is required to construct the surrounds which will be built up
from many separate pieces to form the overall frames with radiused
corners and sloping reveals and returns. The fabrication and erection
of the window surrounds and other body panels will involve a trial
fitting process before final fitting in place.
Another initiative under way is the construction of a cowcatcher
which is being built to the original blue print drawing details.
This interesting exercise involves tailoring the cowcatcher to
fit the underframe and headstock structure as dimensions did vary
slightly from car to car. The construction of the cowcatcher is
being carried out at this stage to help confirm correct alignment
of the bottom edge of the cab body panels.
Good progress continues to be made on overhauling the various
components we have acquired since the start of the project. Selwyn
Roberts has used his years of industry experience and knowledge
to bring these parts back to a new and mainline service condition,
the latest being the pneumatic sand ejectors and the compressor
governors.
June 2006
Half
RM121 in the workshop for the first time since arriving at Pahiatua
in 2003 while being readied for welding together.
photo: Graeme Moffatt June 2006
A
major milestone occured during the weekend of 17/18 June 2006
with the welding together of the two sections of RM121 that have
been undergoing restoration at Pahiatua since August 2003 (see
below). The underfloor frame was welded together on the Sunday
after a careful alignment of the two sections by Lee Hall and
Doug Johnston the day before. The welds were checked by a welding
inspector who was present and passed with flying colours. The
roof and sides are the next to be joined and this will be done
over the coming weeks.
Our
contract welder joining the two sections together.
photo: Graeme Moffatt June 2006
April 2006
Half
RM121 being worked on by Lee Hall & Doug Johnston-
photo: Graeme Moffatt January 2006
The
dedicated team of Lee Hall, Jim Sheath, Spud Langley, Doug Johnston,
Briuce Hermann, Matt Hermann and Selwyn Roberts continue the conservation
work on the RM121 half body and in Selwyn’s case a component
overhaul programme.
RM121 has received further painting in recent months which has
greatly enhanced its appearance as well as forming a very important
part of the rust inhibiting programme. They are working towards
the objective of rejoining the two halves of this body by a welding
process. To this end on site discussions were held with a certified
welder and a welding inspector who has agreed to make up a plan
and supervise the job. Meantime the ends of the underfloor channels
and other structural members are being cleaned up and prepared
for this exercise.
The Drivers Control Unit obtained ex Westport has now arrivedand
we now have four of them in stock. Selwyn has recently completed
overhaul work on two of the drivers brake valves and two throttle
control valves.
After concerns that the seats of ex Otahuhu stored in the container
were getting wet because of leaks in the container roof, we decided
to move them and tese were shifted on 4th March 2006.
Colin Perfect has made considerable progress with the Conservation
Plan and has made several visits to Pahiatua for discussions and
to obtain relevant information. The Rail Heritage trust has made
a very substantial contribution by way of a grant to assist the
funding of this exercise.
