M56182 to return!

The group is pleased to report that our unique Driving Trailer Class 104, M56182, will hopefully be making history at this year's Scenic Railcar Weekend, by performing the first demonstration Sandite runs in preservation. Still numbered ADB977554, the vehicle is in "as withdrawn" condition and was recently unsheeted at Oakamoor Sand Sidings (see left). The most obvious external difference is the extra yellow end the vehicle has (see above right) giving it a strange bald corridor end. Work has started on getting the vehicle to a state where it can be operated at the gala. Unfortunately it will not carry passengers as the seats are currently stripped out (see right), but it will be able to be towed by 37075. It is planned for some limited bodywork and a repaint during September so it will be nice and shiny for the event. A lot of preparation work has already gone on, with roughly 10 windows of various sizes replaced as they had been smashed while the vehicle was in store at Buxton (see right). The interior has also been swept out and all the irrelevant junk removed. Only a few bits remain in the rear saloon, along with the remains of the seats they crudely bolted in the first class area (see left). The control air system has been looked over with horn components having to be replaced, and the vacuum system has also been lubricated and checked. Both systems will be tested in due course. Various bits and pieces (too many

to name here) had gone missing so spares of all shapes and sizes have been refitted so the vehicle looks complete again. One of the major jobs was the swapping of a spring hanger which had been bent during the lift over the main lines at Buxton. All the running gear has been lubricated and we are surprised that a lot of things haven't deteriorated as badly as expected. Heritage Restorations has also done some initial bodywork, to asses what will need doing next month. The vehicle will form one of the many things on offer at this year's gala, so its definitely worth coming along!

==More information about the vehicle is available here.

==More information about the gala it will star at is here.

M59137

Work continues on our main project, centre trailer M59137. Kevin has continued to work with the doors, with three now in a similar completed state to the first one described last update. Chris also spent a day painting more of the ceiling in protective paint to fight condensation; the middle saloon was completed (see left) with only the first class still to do. Wooden surrounds for the heater ducting are also being worked on (see right).