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D 4113 / 09025
PRESERVATION UPDATE
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Winter/Spring 2008
As can be seen from the photo, a lot has recently been achieved with the repainting of the left hand side of the loco. A reasonably mild winter has allowed us to make considerable progress, with only a recent spell of wet weather preventing us from completing the job. Work has included removing all the old worn out / adrift felt seal from the inside of the engine room doors so that the rust can be treated; new felt will then be fitted. It is hoped that this will considerably improve the fit of the doors, eradicating the rattling noses generated from the doors when the engine is running. Other tasks carried out before repainting were filling in the six holes in one of the engine room side doors where there had once been a bolted on aluminium BR double arrow. It is unknown between which dates the loco had these fitted as we have been unable to unearth any photos of it with them visible. These holes had to be filled in as they would have been in the way of the BR loco crest which will be fitted at the high
level position. Once this side of the loco is complete, our attentions will be turned towards the other side! The right hand side appears to be in a slightly worse state than the Left hand side before renovation, it suffering from considerably more corrosion. It is planned to hopefully have it all in green before the end of the year.
Spring 2007
Much progress has been made recently on, what is now half 09025 and half D4113. The intention was always to repaint the entire engine, an almost immediate start was made after arrival at the railway with preparing the cab roof for a repaint back in early January 2006; however, as with most things, another more pressing job comes up to take its place or the weather turns against you and the job gets put on hold. The initial inspection of the roof in Jan '06 discovered that although there was a bit of corrosion around the rainstrips, it was found to not be as bad as previously thought. As time permitted, slowly the the job gathered both pace and size. After much chipping and hammering back what the rust had forced out, a bit of priming and filling, the roof finally saw its first coat of mid grey gloss in mid March 2007. It would be a further month before the chance could be taken of applying a further second coat, but finally the roof is all sealed and well protected. Another long awaited job saw completion just before that of the roof in the form of changing back the radiator end's buffers from Oleos to the original spring type. It appears that the loco at some point in its career got into a spot of trouble, in which the front framing below the buffers, buffers and skirt down the L/H side of the loco received heavy impact damage. This appears to have resulted in replacement buffers being fitted. These were changed and the opportunity was taken to repaint the headstock into red. We rather spontaneously decided in February to bring forward the full repaint into BR green of the loco. This was mainly because on the East Kent Railway's 1940s reinactment weekend on the 2nd and 3rd of June 2007, the engine will be in service with 7105 and we thought that the faded Connex livery may slightly look out of place. This brings me back to the opening sentance that progress has been made on painting the side of the cab (see photo above ). The original number has been applied, so now one side displays D4113, the opposite 09025, but, hopefully not for much longer. (Weather permitting! )
Winter 2006
Recently at Shepherdswell we have been continuing with the 09's 'B' exam and other non exam work. Since the last report, the repaired traction motor blower has been fitted and tested as ok. 09025 has also spent some time operating passenger services and proved popular on the services which took place on the 19th August when the Group celebrated 5759's 50th Birthday. After investigation of the roof, it was found that a full clean up and paint was required as the rust was showing signs of gaining a strong-hold in some areas. All the corrosion has subsequently been treated and after some slight resealing in the new year (due to the weather) will be repainted grey. Much work has also been carried out in the cab. This has involved both cleaning and painting work. The ceilings have now been washed and are pleased to report that the formica which was installed when the loco was refurbished has come up to a high standard. The 'Piano' (control cubicle) has also recieved some restoration work. Attention has also been given to the windscreen wipers and with good progress they are all now working. During the winter months, the oportunity has been taken to remove smaller items from the loco for renovation off site, the first of such items being the cooker, which has received a heavy clean and full testing. It was then refitted to the loco the following week. Various mods have and continue to be carried out as and when time permits.