A special Member´s Day was held on The Lavender Line in Isfield, East Sussex, on Sunday 31st July. Several members travelled long distances to come along and make a start on the interior restoration work on DMBS S60122, and despite a few light showers, progress was made on several tasks as the Lavender Line´s steam train chugged back and forth, past the site.
Some of the members take a minute´s break. Standing on the buffers is Alan Hawkins
and then, left to right, are Michael Gibson, AJ Portway, Roger Winter, Jonathan Ryder, John Bull, Dave Harris and Paul Febrache.
Photo: Copyright Ian Morgan 2005
One of the first jobs was the installation of a mains power supply, to allow the use of lighting and power tools inside the unit. This involved pushing 30 feet of cable through a plastic hose pipe - not as easy as it sounds.
Another high priority job was the removal of the exhaust stack from the top of the massive turbo unit. This will allow the hole in the roof that the exhaust stack sticks though to be covered over, making the engine room weather proofed while the engine is being worked on.
Removing the bolts holding the exhaust stack
Photo: Copyright Ian Morgan 2005
With the exhaust stack out of the way, the opening can be seen clearly
Photo: Copyright Ian Morgan 2005
The exhaust stack ready for restoration. This could be a taken home to be
worked on by a member, under the ´Restore a Component´ scheme. Any volunteers?
Photo: Copyright Ian Morgan 2005
Meanwhile, in the passenger compartment, there are plenty of bits and pieces needing a bit of TLC. In this case, a good going over with a wire brush in preparation for painting.
A heater grill from the passenger compartment being cleaned up. This is
another example of something that could be a taken home to be
worked on by a member, under the ´Restore a Component´ scheme.
Photo: Copyright Ian Morgan 2005
Here is a Project Plan outlining the work that needs to be done to complete the restoration. Hopefully, this will be updated regularly to show progress.