...and that was followed by the Trailer Second Lavatory (TSL) no. 59701 one day later...
...and the Driving Motor Composite Lavatory (DMCL) no. 51842 the day after that...
Shortly after the unit arrived at our Pentrefelin depot, much time was spent getting familiar with it as described in the 'Unit-specific work' section below.
The first of our all-line services for this season was provided by the 4-car class 108 + Wickham class 109 on Saturday 7 March. It is seen here passing our Pentrefelin depot and climbing towards the Dee bridge...
...and at Carrog where it passed the steam-hauled service...
While preparing the 4-car unit at the start of the day the driver had a view of the recently-delivered class 110 vehicle no. 51813 from the cab at one end...
...and a view of the first steam-hauled service leaving Llangollen from the cab at the other end...
The steam-hauled train was destined for Corwen where it would provide a children's 'Bluey' service between there and Glyndyfrdwy.
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Framework coming together in the toilet of Cravens trailer 56456. This will support the insulation and wall panelling.
After the needlegun had been used for various other jobs, the lamp brackets off 56456 also got dealt with. It will be a little while before they're needed, but it's one off the extensive "to-do" list.
Much of the weekend was spent getting familiar with our new arrival. The paint may be a bit faded, but "nothing we can't deal with" (I am reliably informed) - the two power cars 51842 and 51813 head up what could be another six-car green rake in Pentrefelin.
Centre car 59701 sits to one side temporarily; it will be a little while before we can do too much with this one.
A quick look inside 51813, which will be the first vehicle commissioned. This is the first class area with its armchairs.
Second class, and some of the seats are looking pretty tired. Time for a visit to the upholsterers!
Another view of 2nd class. The seating arrangement was changed around some years ago to provide 'bay' type seating, rather than the more usual 'bus' type. A debate is brewing as to whether it's an improvement, and whether authenticity should be returned!
Time to get down to it. Cue the lino removal device, also known as a garden hoe!
Heating on these trains is provided by hot air (plenty of that around, some might say) ducted along the vehicle. Unfortunately the ducting didn't survive much looking at - a job we hadn't bargained for. Some work for the metalwork department coming up.
One weekend later, and the centre saloon of 51813 looked a bit different.
Taking things apart is usually the easy bit. Getting it all back together takes longer!
The class 108 trailer car 56223 received attention from the needlegun and paint brushes in the shed. Here, the bufferbeam and black details have been freshened up.
Applying etch primer to the solebar.
Black solebar and silver buffers once more. Perhaps we'll need some plastic bags to keep the buffers clean when running with another unit?
The driver's window wooden surrounds in the cab of Gloucester car 56097 have been finished and looking smart.
The ceiling in the rear saloon of 56097 is now fully beaded and finished. More beading cut for the side walls - homework to prepare for fitting next time.
During a later visit a start was made on the back corner of 50697 with a wall support fitted, along with the first piece of wall panel now in place. In the top right, the rest of the beading on top of the luggage rack panels has now been fitted.
The installation of the passenger communication device (passcom) put up a bit of a fight but was eventually completed and the panels beaded up. There are no prizes for spotting that a section of beading is missing! That was the subject of a minor problem so it will be fitted at the next meeting.
What's this? Another addition to the fleet? Kind of ... temporarily. Class 127 DMBS 51610 at Butterley has been purchased for spares recovery. Anything useful will be removed from it, to support our own class 127 51618, and the remains will be scrapped shortly. It has never run since preservation in 1990, having been used as accommodation and storage since then.
Rolls-Royce straight 8 lurking underneath 51610. This will be recovered to Llangollen.
Thanks to Adam Boddy, Allen Chatwood, Dewi Davies, John Joyce, Andy Lowe, Mike Martin, Graham Parkin and Martin Plumb for supplying the pictures that were used in this edition.