At the beginning of February 2003 all the reconditioned mechanical components were assembled at the Midland Railway Centre, ready for fitting to the power car. These comprised two 11-litre engines, two gearboxes, three air tanks, two fuel tanks, two vacuum exhausters, two radiators and the water and exhaust systems. With the vehicle's bogies already removed 11 volunteers arrived to take part in what turned out to be a most remarkable day.
It was at last possible to see what the trailer car is going to look like as it is almost complete externally. The car was exhibiting the destination "Mildenhall" as it formed the last train on that particular branch 40 years ago, in 1962. This photo was taken prior to the trailer being shunted out of the shed so that the mechanical units could be fitted to the power car. |
 |
The first components to be refitted were the fuel tanks which were quickly followed by the no 2 gearbox. This box is almost the size of the engine of a small car and is fitted to an inaccessable place high up in the frames. Here Andy Mould manhandles the box into place from its temporary transporting trolley. |
 |
The second gearbox and the air tanks were fitted by lunchtime after which it was the turn of the first of the engines. Watched by retired Traction Inspector Bill Braley and current Inspector Dewi Davies the team edge the huge power unit underneath the Wickham power car. This unit is almost six feet long and four feet wide and is of a design which dates from pre World War 2. |
 |
Once underneath the carriage the engine had to be rotated through 90 degrees so that it could be fitted. Chris Hatton is seen here pushing the engine into its final place watched by Stuart "Railcar" Mackay. Given the first generation railcar's habit of throwing oil around everywhere it is doubtful that the engine will look as clean as this for long! |
 |
With the no 2 engine bolted firmly into place attention turned to doing the whole job all over again with the no 1 engine. This one is fitted the opposite way round and on the other side of the coach. Here the fork lift has been removed and the engine is seen hanging on the built-in winching arrangement. The whole of this remarkable operation took only five and a half hours to complete by which time all the major components were in place. |
 |
A view of the underside showing from left to right, fuel tank, engine, gearbox and heater. During the following week teams of volunteers built up pipework forming water and exhaust systems while others assisted with wiring components.The car has now been refuelled and merely awaits some fuel lines, wiring and the new batteries before a start up is attempted. |
 |