The depot was a bit quieter today but focus was again on D9009. Alycidon’s roof, the exterior cab window frames and internally one side of the engine room was given a thorough clean, next week Alycidon will be outside to have her body and bogies washed. The Axle boxes have been put back together following the UAT last week. On D9015 some of the replacement cabling was being fitted.

The depot was a hive of activity this weekend. We had some new and returning volunteers inspecting and starting work on the spare power units with the intention to make one serviceable over the coming weeks/months. Power unit 439 after initial inspection has been chosen as the first power unit to be worked on so the generator has started to be stripped down and the crank case covers have been off to have a brief look at the internals. In the depot work focused on D9009 to sign off some final jobs and make sure Alycidon is ready for her holiday. Inside the fuel strainers have been out, checked, cleaned and refitted then we re-primed the fuel system. Some air release valves were changed and the scavenge blower oil strainers were also removed checked, cleaned and refitted. On the outside the axle box covers were being removed to take off the tab plates and ends caps so Alycidon could have her UAT on the Sunday. While the axle boxes are apart the opportunity has been taken to clean the end caps, bolts and tab plates and replace gaskets and tab plates that had seen better days. 55019 had her batteries on charge and bed plates on the public gangway side were drained. On D9015 some replacement cabling was being made up and more electrical component were being overhauled. In the workshop some of the conduit piping for Tulyar’s engine room lights have been stripped down and are in undercoat.
Sunday and Graham Werritt from SERCO came to the depot and did the UAT for Alycidon, which passed.

Photos from the day have been added to the gallery here.

The internal roof sections on D9015 have started to be sanded down ready for a repaint. Some more of the electrical components were inspected, cleaned and electrical readings taken to see how well they work. On D9009 both oil scavenger strainers have been removed, examined, cleaned and refitted. The non return valve from hand priming pump on no.2 unit has been returned following repairs. Some additional brake checks and adjustments have been made. The orange warning stripes that were fitted to Alycidon to move on the mainline have been removed. The simulator in 9008 has been receiving electrical attention and operating checks.

Its that time of year again and Graham Clarke and Charlie Cawthorne are giving up 8 days to organise a working party at the Depot at Barrow Hill over the Easter holiday period, please come and support them if you can.

We are looking for volunteers of all grades to turn up and work on the locos. The main item is that, if we can get the roofs refitted to 15 (we are currently negotiating a 'lift') then we can proceed at top coat painting the engine room prior to Easter to enable several people to be gainfully emplyed at refitting out the engine room conduit's and plumbing etc.

The dates are Sat 3rd April to Sat 10th April, start and finish time is your choice.

We are aiming to get 15 into a presentable condition including 1 cab finished ready for the FP Event on 8/9 May, help needed here.

There is also the winter maintenance programme as well as the annual B Exams for D9009 and 55019, plenty to do to keep people occupied.

If you are able to give up some of your time to support Graham and Charlie then can you please reply and advise which day or days you are available to enable a plan of action to be prepared.

As already mentioned we are looking for people of all grades so if you feel you have no skill but have the wish to help that is all that matters as we will put you with somebody to guide and direct you. If you are still unsure then please contact Mike Hallam-Rudd, contact details in Deltic Deadline.

Volunteers are also required for the Finsbury Park event at the depot on May 8th/9th, as well as helping set up on Friday May 7th.

Two new volunteer’s onsite this week along with a small group of volunteers. D9009 has had some of the door locks repaired. D9015 had the third and final field divert relay number 1 removed. The centre electrical cubicle at number one end was painted with grey varnish. Number two end had the three motor contactors removed, all six motor contactors and three field divert relays are now ready to be cleaned and tested prior to being refitted. Some of the jacking pocket covers were temporarily fitted while adjustments are made to make sure they have the best fit. In the coach the electrics work is nearing an end.

Photos from the day have been added to the gallery here.

The regular team of volunteers at Barrow Hill and it’s the start of winter maintenance. D9009 had a leaking driver windscreen, this windscreen has been removed and will soon be resealed and refitted. Tulyar’s overhaul is continuing and motor contactors 1, 2 and 3 plus field divert relays 2 and 3 have been removed. Field divert relay 1 will be removed next week and this gives us chance to check the current cabling and check the electrical cubicles. While these components are out they will be checked, repaired if necessary then tested before re-fitment. The body work has had more filling and sanding.

Photos from the day have been added to the gallery here.

It is with great sadness we report the death of Raymond Rourke following a long battle with cancer. Raymond was a good friend to the DPS supplying photographs and video for use in Society products and DVD's to help raise funds. Raymond was a gentleman and will be greatly missed.

Our thoughts at this difficult time are with his wife Margaret, his family and freinds.

Another day of good progress on Tulyar last Saturday. Under Tulyar the final two cleat boxes have been removed and the second traction motor link cable has been removed using a slightly different method based on what we learnt last time. Inside Tulyar the panels where the OTMR brackets are have been having trial fitments and adjustments. The body has also had further filling and sanding work. In the workshop the first compressor to receive a repaint was having its top coat while the battery box grills and vents were being painted in top coat black. In the coach the sink pipe work has been having further repairs.

Photos from the day have been added to the gallery here.

A tough day to get to the depot due to the local M1 junction closures but this didn’t put the volunteers off getting to the depot and work carried on as usual, when we arrived. Work was focused on Tulyar, underneath the fifth cleat box has had the cables disconnected and waits to be taken off the bogie. Two volunteers focused on body work treatment working on both sides of the body. Inside the body and more work was underway on the battery boxes. Carrying on from last week and a lot more head scratching we have managed to remove the first traction motor link cable. Once it was removed we could see the insulation was in a very poor state and we will continue to remove the other seven cables but based on this cable all the other link cables are to be retested in case they need changing. Along side the power unit on the warflat a scaffolding frame base been erected for further work and investigation on the power unit. Further paint work has been completed on one of the traction motor blowers. In the coach the sink pipe work has been having further repairs.

Photos from the day have been added to the gallery here.

Work today was focused mainly on Tulyar with various jobs being progressed. Inside Tulyar the battery boxes were having a clean up and once this was completed they were painted in primer paint. Outside 15. further body work treatment was underway. Underneath another cleat box was removed after a lot of trouble and an attempt was made to remove the first traction motor cable that needs replacing, this didn’t quite go to plan but we know that the cable is now able to move. In the workshop one of Tulyar’s compressors was being painted in white undercoat. D9009 and 55019 had their bed plates drained. In the coach the sink pipe work was being repaired.

Photos from the day have been added to the gallery here.