July 2013 saw the start of the repair and modification of DMU middle coach 59515 at Yeovil Railway Centre.


Can you help us with raising funds towards the costs of transport, repair and modification of our newly acquired coach? If so, we will be extremely grateful!



Please CLICK HERE for more details. As an alternative to donating via cheque you can use PayPal.

Use your browser's BACK button to return here. (Photo courtesy Bob Tucker)



4 July 2013
Some removal of supports and bolts holding this corridor connection have been removed already.
(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




Our JCB is used to pull the connection off.(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




And move it to a storage area for a possible disposal.
(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




The coach was later moved into the Engine Shed where the second corridor connection was removed. The Class 50, 50050 and the Company Fowler were shunted away to allow this to happen.(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




(Photo courtesy John Cornelius)




30 July 2013
Ron is scraping away as much of the old roof covering as possible....
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




....whilst Peter is on the roof (suitably harnessed) working at the bits that cannot be reached from the scaffold.
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




Inside the redundant water tanks (above the two toilets-already taken out) are being prepared for removal by William and Bill.
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




One down and one to go.
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




4 August 2013
Matt working on the electrics.
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




One coach end has already been significantly modified.




The old toilet areas have been cleared and will eventually be available for wheelchairs etc.




The interior is in a fair condition.




Terry is almost unrecognisable!
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




22 August 2013
Coach ends have now had suitable apertures cut ready to receive windows in due course.






Passengers will have a good view forwards, either of the view or the steam engine and crew.






Three bogies have been needle gunned and primed. However there is a lot of work to go under the coach yet!




15 September 2013
A swap of components between us and Gloucester & Warwickshire Railway took place.
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




17 September 2013
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




New metal.
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




24 September 2013
Some of the corrosion to the lower bodywork has been cut out and new metal rivetted in. With filling, sanding and painting it will look as good as new!
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




Beginning to look good.
(Photo courtesy Brian Haigh)




18 October 2013
More rubbing down and refilling to do!




Nice silver buffers!




one end and side and....




....the other end and side.




3 November 2013
One end....




....and the other.




Side showing good progress.




roof has been primed and undercoated. First top coat has been started.




12 November 2013
The ends are now ready for glass to be fitted.






Undercoated side rubbed down ready for a second coat. Top coat not be applied until the New Year (after Santa Specials).




Roger is fitting a roof to the old toilet area (to be a wheelchair/pushchair friendly area once a double door is fitted in 2014).




Light diffusers emptied of insects and cleaned!




With the replacements of several inverters and some rewiring, the coach lights are now working once again.


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