BR MK2b no 5446

[pherlopolus]

We run an events company working in the heritage rail sector (more fun than it sounds).

We did the man-maths and decided we needed a railway coach in our warehouse.

It arrives next Wednesday so will try and document it's arrival and what we plan to do with it.

Anyhow, track started to get welded today!

[pherlopolus]

I think condition "Fair" is being generous! It does appear to be complete - so returning to use isn't out of the realms of reality, but that's not why we got it...

Now delayed due to usual vagaries of working in the heritage rail industry. All track is in though.

[pherlopolus]

Yertis said:

Which door are you bringing it through?

The roller one, we have measured (twice) and haulier is convinced it will come in. We have used bridge rail due to lower profile so in theory we have about 6" clearance. Prepared to lift the roller door off if need be.

Lots of photo's will be taken

[pherlopolus]

ecsrobin said:

I’m intrigued as to what you’ll be doing with it.

We run theatrical events around christmas time on trains, so we are mainly going to use it as a test bed for AV Stuff, Rehearsal space, for training videos etc, We are also eventually aiming to get it set up as a filming friendly location with a dressed platform and windows that can be removed so you can set up cameras outside and film in.

It's also 62 seats of desks for visitors who want some space to work, or we might list it as classroom space etc

[pherlopolus]

Update!

Still not arrived.

[pherlopolus]

pherlopolus said:

Update!

Still not arrived.

Now due to arrive Monday, let’s see if they can get it in at last!

[pherlopolus]

I was trying to find time for an update!

Here is a sneak peek, it fitted!

Judging by some seat reservation slips it was last in service in 1992 around Exeter.

Attached 24v and the lights still worked!

[pherlopolus]

From them arriving to departing they took about 6 hours, but that included tea breaks and banter too. No rushing very controlled. Haulage was about the same as purchase price lol.

A jet wash has cleared most of the graffiti of one side. We have a contract cleaner coming in Thursday to quote to do interior.

I have been semi involved with restorations of much worse (above the floor). If this was going back on rails properly there is quite a lot of rust. It isn't going to be hauled so we can do cosmetic only, and as it is going to be inside so shouldn't get worse.

[pherlopolus]

Just found evidence that it was 1993 (pictures to follow!) I think anything on the underframes will have been nullified by now. bogies have been jetwashed though.

[pherlopolus]

[pherlopolus]

Cleaners are in Monday to sort the inside out so who knows!

[pherlopolus]

It won't be in NSE livery when done, which is going to trigger some people, but our toy we get to chose the colour 🤪

Donkey stripes will be staying on inside though !

[pherlopolus]

Some graffiti is 2017, that came off easily.

One side will probably be like this...

[pherlopolus]

It was suggested if we got the lines right, in B+W it would look like BR Blue

[pherlopolus]

Seats coming up nice...

[pherlopolus]

We got the PA system up and running last week. As we will use it for all sorts we are making use of the wiring to the speakers in ceiling and replacing with 2 way 10cm hobbies that fit. Will get a 24v amplifier fitted and hook Bluetooth and probably a small mixing desk.

Also ordered some replacement led tubes so all the lights will be the same colour temperature and use less juice.

It's currently running on a 30amp 24v pay and drawing about 18amps. Just for 10 florescent tubes

[pherlopolus]

Cleaners have nearly finished inside now.



Filming is booked in on 15th June (inside only thankfully!) So we have a bit of a deadline. It is also starting to distract from core business which is 4.5 large Christmas events this year, we have nearly 180,000 people to take to the north pole and a sackful of stuff to do!

[pherlopolus]

This is just our pet carriage we are keeping for testing stuff and training videos.

We will be operating 4 venues each with 6 trains a day at weekends and some days in the week. Biggest 7 carriages of 64, smallest 5 carriages.

[pherlopolus]

I am not sure what I can and can't say on here about business, this isn't advertising as such though.

We are basically going to be operating 4 Polar Express events, and helping with a 5th.

2 are public (Wensleydale and South Devon) and we are launching 2 more south east based in a few weeks. We are also assisting Churnet Valley with their theatrical side.

We were watching that auction closely, but the MK1 TSOs don't seem to be worth that much for our use, bearing in mind what we just paid for 7 MK3s that are still mainline registered, and the MK1s probably needed another 10k sinking into them!

[pherlopolus]

This is our meeting room by the way, and yes that is a screen where the window should be!