Renovations Begin! - Brake Van Diaries #2

[@Sam-gm1ro]

The “track clips” were used in case of a derailment. They would short the track circuits, preventing a second train from crashing into the first one. With regards to the fire, it’s always best to get a professional chimney sweep to clean the chimney. Surprisingly little soot can cause a chimney fire. They could also give some advice about the crack. Other than that, a bucket of water/fire extinguisher is always a good idea - not least for burns - and an oven glove for opening the door. Looking forward to seeing how the project progresses!

[@WardleRestorations]

The track clips are a useful yet simple bit of kit! The crack didn't seem to cause any issues but hopefully I can get it sorted.

[@AlanReynoldsBucklandJunction]

Hi Ollie. I wish I could help out here as I have been a metal fabricator and can stick weld and work with all material. All I will say is, when using an angle grinder, please get yourself a soft pad attachment and use 80 grit pads, rather than a grinding disc which will leave marks and damage, where the soft pad will not and do the job much better. Regards Alan at Buckland Junction :o)

[@WardleRestorations]

Appreciate the advice Alan! I'll get those soft pads added to the shopping basket!

[@ThePhosphater]

Most Enjoyable series, will be watching them all. good luck with the brake van

[@WardleRestorations]

Glad you like them!

[@bentullett6068]

As I am finding from my time volunteering at Bewdley's carriages restoration department you will be doing a lot of stripping parts out, rubbing down old painted surfaces and then repainting them. There is a lovely example of one of these brake van's that was restored by the Bewdley wagon department a few years ago. For the wooden parts it's best strip the old paint off and paint in a aluminium wood primer and then add a few layers of undercoat then a few layers of the gloss final finish paint. If you need tips the Severn Valley Railway open house weekend is coming up and our yard will be open and we might be able to share some tips with you.

[@WardleRestorations]

ive been wanting to visit the Severn Valley Railway at some point, looks like a fantastic set up there! Never heard of aluminum wood primer but will look it up :)

[@bentullett6068]

@@WardleRestorations the Bewdley yard is probably the most relevant area to see wagon restorations.

[@stephensmith4480]

Nice to see the old Stove fired up again, those things will still be around when we are long gone. Incidentally, the round bit on the top of the stove was designed for a standard Billy Can to be placed on in order to make a Brew. An essential bit of kit. The Track Circuit Clips were only to be used once and then handed in for replacement and the cable joining the two is an exact length for when working in 3rd Rail Areas.

[@davidbyrne8914]

Fantastic mate!

[@WardleRestorations]

Cheers David!

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

I have helped renovate a few houses in my time and completely redone my own, this is quite a project. I am really looking forward to seeing how this gets done!

[@WardleRestorations]

Appreciate it Anthony! Lots of work but should be an enjoyable (if not time consuming) project!

[@Flymochairman1]

Yes, quite a project. I read a book about a guy who had the opportunity of restoring a full steam loco...he was dreaming of a Black 5 or the like but a much wiser friend guided him to a much smaller loco, and it had so much needing done, he was glad of the return to earth! This is a great example of that, with the comparison to the Class 312 EMU behind the Brake Van; and it'll be great to see it from the 1st hand POV, which I haven't seen too much of in other restorations, (although I haven't seen everything!) So it's quite a unique record of a renovation of a railway vehicle and where all the wood and metal working crafts come together to make a 'Brake Van'. Reminds me of an Airfix kit I built long ago... !:^) All the best with this Ollie. Cheers, chap!

[@modelrailwaynoob]

Good progress. Well done

[@WardleRestorations]

Appreciate it mate!

[@belmontjunction2889]

Looking Great Ollie Keep Up The Good Work 👍

[@WardleRestorations]

Cheers Belmont! Lots more videos on the way!

[@gordonhumphris5420]

Great to see progress on the Brake Van. We are restoring the same type at the East Anglian Railway Museum. So if you need advice or pointers. You can get new ducts fabricated. Must have been a bargain buy. !!😂

[@WardleRestorations]

Who fabricates new ducts? Yeh the plan is to remake ours as the ducts are well beyond repair. It certainly isn't a 5 minute job!

[@gordonhumphris5420]

@@WardleRestorations I’ll ask in the Restoration Shed on Tuesday for you and let you know. Gordon

[@WardleRestorations]

@@gordonhumphris5420 fantastic appreciate it!

[@OliverWoodphotography]

Really good job. It is great to see one of these being renovated. I was always fascinated by these brake vans on the many freight trains I used to watch on my local railways in the 60s 70s. Personally I would like to see it restored to original BR colour scheme.

[@2010ditta]

Very enjoyable 2nd diary Ollie. Looking forward to the next. All the best.

[@WardleRestorations]

Glad you enjoyed it, editing episode 3 now!

[@markw1685]

I've subscribed purely on my love of colne valley railway. Look forward to your future videos

[@WardleRestorations]

Ha well hopefully you enjoy the videos!

[@jasonstevens7957]

Dude! Fantastic! So jealous! Really hope to get a carriage or van one day so its great to see all this, thank you!!!

[@WardleRestorations]

Glad you enjoyed it! Loads more videos on the way hopefully! Glad everyones been really enjoying it so far!

[@jamesnegus83]

That was Proper Bo I tell thee!

[@WardleRestorations]

😆😆

[@wellchuffedrailways]

Interesting project, will follow this with interest!

[@WardleRestorations]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@mattsmocs3281]

Looking good so far. Its not really in that bad of shape compared to some of the wrecks here. Now curious if you would ever consider putting windows in the ends of the bays (duckets?) it wouldn’t be historically correct but it would give a little more natural light and visibility out of the van.

[@WardleRestorations]

Not a bad idea however the light inside hasn't been an issue as of yet!

[@mels1811]

Wonderful video

[@WardleRestorations]

Cheers Mels

[@mels4796]

wonderful video

[@WardleRestorations]

Many thanks

[@GarethL2008]

Late to part but get a co alarm

[@WardleRestorations]

Very good idea

[@thescrapline4905]

Ollie.. I work in the decorating industry and specialise in exterior wood restoration/decorating works alongside the usual interior stuff. I can give you some tips on the right way and to avoid any wrong ways of restoring that wood to make it last longer. Drop me a pm if you need a tip or 2

[@WardleRestorations]

Or 3! Yes please dude would be much appreciated

[@brandonharris7516]

The old brake van

[@hamshackleton]

I hadn't heard of that wood hardener before. I hope it works for you.

[@WardleRestorations]

Fingers crossed!

[@medwaypeninsulaMR]

Hi Ollie- Excellent work so far and the stove looked nice and cosy even if you burnt your finger !! I shall enjoy watching your progress will you get T to help you ? Cheers Kev

[@WardleRestorations]

No chance T will want to sit in this especially whilst it’s such a mess!

[@ricardoroberto7054]

As a kid i called them end carriages because i didnt know what they were !

[@WardleRestorations]

You've got plenty of videos to catch up on! haha

[@ricardoroberto7054]

@@WardleRestorations Yep! :)

[@williamsworkshopuk]

Am ambitious project - good luck! how many 0's after tha £??

[@WardleRestorations]

Rather not disclose that on here mate sorry!

[@williamsworkshopuk]

@@WardleRestorations that much eh? "Don't let the wife sell my stuff for what I told her I paid for it..." etc. :) fair play mate, have a great one.

[@WardleRestorations]

Cheers mate you too!

[@IronHorseRailways]

So you bought this thing... But. Does that mean it's eventually going on a train? Do you get free rides on it? What's going on Ollie lad? 🤣 You better build a small layout in it too 😁😁

[@WardleRestorations]

It will eventually be on a train, whether its my train or someone else's! haha, hopefully you enjoy the videos!

[@brandonharris7516]

There just like caboose but small

[@WardleRestorations]

Nice

[@brandonharris7516]

@@WardleRestorations yes

[@danielwalker2613]

I watched the first instalment - but still unsure what your plans are to be honest .... Have you purchased this brake van and intend on repairing it with your own money ?

[@WardleRestorations]

Watch the rest of the series 👀😂

[@danielwalker2613]

I will, but just a tip for you !! .... If you wash a car you always start from the top and work down. Why would you sweep the floor then scrape the flaky paint from the ceiling afterwards ?

[@WardleRestorations]

Again, watch the series, roof has been done 😂

[@HaydnMillerUK]

Where is the brake van located now and how far is it from its original location?

[@WardleRestorations]

Colne valley railway atm but it was made in 1954 in Darlington