(Above) Power car E50416 awaits final paint touches

(Below) The lighting galleries as delivered

(Below) Superb joinery is exhibited in this vestabule area in the trailer car.

(Right)

The interior of the power car has had its internal windows added since the last update. Also added have been the rubber strips with aluminium surrounds which go behind the luggage racks.
On the left can be seen a partly assembled luggage rack. The racks have to be assembled to the back rail, which then has to be fitted to the wall before the front rail can be added. This is a very time-consuming operation but the finished racks are very strong and attractive.
On the floor is a completed section of lighting ducting. Each section has been made to the correct length offsite and has been delivered pre-coloured and with holes already cut for the lighting.
Once the lino is laid then the new heating ducts will be fitted over the inners which can be seen at floor level.

Major progress towards completion

Since the last report there has been considerable progress. The bulk of the painting work is complete, about a third of the luggage racks have been delivered and are assembled. The new lighting gantries have been manufactured and delivered. New woodwork has been made and fitted to the doors and other areas of the interior.
Detail such as destination and route indicator blinds are being fitted and we look forward to the fitting of the first seats within the next couple of weeks.

The Wickham set is now painted , though awaiting varnish and some lettering. This is the brake end of the power car in the area which was once converted to a kitchen.

The new all alloy luggage racks consist of front and back members which are joined by round tube and are placed on specially cast brackets. Each tube has a plug in each end which allows a set screw to be screwed into it.

The new lighting galleries and luggage racks in place. This is the first area to be completed and is the small compartment outside of the guard's van. Note how accurate the lighting galleries are to the original pattern ( see earlier update).