G.W.R. Autotrailer 169 News and Restoration Blog

 During the program of restoring and refurbishing Autotrailer 169 we are trying to be as 'green' as we can. Not only does it save us money if we can locate and use timber that has previously been used for other purposes, but we feel we are doing a little to conserve the world's timber resources. Over the years we have appealed for donations of suitable hardwoods that supporters and followers may have stored on their sheds and garages awaiting that 'project' that never quite happens. Most hardwood can be reused in some way or another provided it doesn't have too many nails or screws, which can be removed by us, or that any rot can be removed to leave suitable sized pieces that can be recycled into carriage components. However we have also got an outlet for our old and unsuitable Oak components that can have the rotting and damaged parts removed and recycled into smaller items, mainly at this stage pens, although other small items such as key rings are also made. ...

Yesterday saw the big push to get the forward partition permanently into place. A 3 dimensional jigsaw including top heavy pieces 9ft square and weighing 2-3cwt (3 mtrs and 125kilos for the metric minded) having to be manoeuvred into position then dropped vertically into place with no mechanical assistance proved quite a challenge. However, as you see below, we did succeed along with some more attention to the roof spacer timbers and the trial fit of all the doorway timbers that just need some further small fettling .

We're getting towards the end of our  undercover period and whilst we may not have achieved absolutely everything we had hoped for we have made good progress having also encountered a few unforeseens, what railway project doesn't? Not least discovering the top of the Luggage end entrance vestibule partition had a broken joint which required some serious dismantling that we hadn't planned for. See pictures  below. However today we came within a 'stones throw' of refitting the Drivers side  entrance vestibule partition along with many of the roof supports that fit between the hoops fitted. We are hoping to sheet the carriage down making allowance to complete the unfinished work without too many problems. The latest pictures are shown below. Hope fully there will be some updated ones in the next few days so please look back again soon. Roof support fitting underway Partition trial fitted. Some small fettling required Half of the repaired roof beam.

Today we eagerly started work on the assembly of our kit of parts for section 3. All in all a good day with most of it going together without too many problems and paying dividends of the trial fitting in our joinery shop. The pictures below show the Before (top 2) and After (bottom 2) situation with good  progress to report but with plenty more to achieve over the next few weeks. Our thanks go to all involved in the recent big shunt at Williton.  Please check back regularly for all the updated news.  

 Although we are patiently awaiting our visit to the shed to complete the construction of section 3 our time in the 'waiting area' has not been wasted. The recent settled and dry weather has meant that flooring for the new section has been almost completed and preparation of the two vestibule partitions have been prepared for replacement of the rotted timbers which should commence soon, and hopefully be completed in time to be assembled along with the vestibule framework in a few weeks time. Preparation for dismantling of most of the remaining original bodywork has also been undertaken after a big clear out of the luggage end. The pictures show the internal side of the roof which has seen the light of day for the first time in almost 100 years. The black circular marks seen is the accumulation of almost a century of nicotine drawn through the ventilators. Also shown are the GWR makers template marks. If anyone is interested in purchasing this one please get in touch as although...

Whilst we await our slightly overdue arrival in the shed we have been making the most of the sunny, if blustery weather to fit some of the flooring on to the newly assembled section base. A layer of 20mm tongue and groove is topped be 25mm plywood. The lower picture show the first section of ply being eased into place in lateral seating bay 3 and the under floorboards almost completed in the longitudinal seating bay adjacent to the entry vestibule. We're pleased with the progress after one or two minor hiccups to start. Watch out for more progress soon.  

 Yesterday we went through the final checking and trial fits, today we assembled the main frame of section on the chassis for real. After an early (for us) start we cleared the required space and one of the original vestibule partitions that lay in the way and set about joining the first of the next section sole (bottom) plates in place, soon to be followed by the cross members which have to be assembled prior to the second sole plate to locate it all into the correct position. This is where the earlier trials then pay off and with very little repositioning it all slotted neatly into place. The pictures below show  the assembly in various stages of completion with the final shot showing the corner flooring brackets being added. Al in all a good start to the next few weeks of fairly intense construction work. Please keep checking back for the latest updates or bookmark  G.W.R. Autotrailer 169 News and Restoration Blog (gwrautotrailer169.blogspot.com) .