The BNR (another way)

[GeraldH]

Services are subject to suspension while the works are going on at Pewsley and one of the push-pull sets can be seen waiting for clearance to progress up the branch. This leading Triang suburban coach was modified to incorporate the BNR's patented push-pull system many years ago after it was purchased from the Polarjikan National Railway (PNR).

[GeraldH]

Work is slowly progressing on the overall roof. The masonry has been reinforced (painted with diluted PVA) and the arches have been strengthened with (card) overlays. Gaps in the stonework have been filled with a thin mortar mix (diluted filler).

It was noticed that the roof support was not square at one end and so the carpenters had to add some additional timber to one end.

[GeraldH]

Work continues on the long delayed completion of Pewsley Station. The stonemasons have more or less finished the supporting walls and they do look very robust with their timber (ply) reinforcement.

The original station building at Pewsley had a pitched roof and it has been decided to reuse this to provide facilities within the overall roof. The roofers never did a great job and as the building will be protected by the overall roof it has been decided to remove the pitched roof.

To reduce passenger confusion and enhance the corporate identity of the BNR it has been decided to create some new station name boards with integrated stone (Linka) planters. The design team haven't finalised things yet, but they decided to grab the stonemasons while they were on site. The name boards are, however, likely to use steel (nails) posts with timber name boards (3mm ply).

[GeraldH]

Progress continues on the overall roof at Pewsley. Since the photo was taken both supporting walls have been finished along with the beams that support the roof.

The roof trusses (recycled 3mm ply) have been fabricated off site ready to be craned into position to support the roof. The planters which will support the station name boards have also been moving forward. Staff have been looking n the stores for the station name decals, but can't remember where they put them!

The BNR's No1 is seen checking clearances before services resume.

[Ex-Pat]

Staff have been looking n the stores for the station name decals, but can't remember where they put them!

Hope they come across them, and please ask them to look out for my "The Waverley" train headboard at the same time!

[GeraldH]

To reduce the numbers of bewildered passengers and promote the BNR's corporate identity work has progressed on some robust station nameboards to fit into the stone planters. The nameboards themselves are wooden (3mm ply) with steel supports (nails). The supports will be painted in the BNR''s standard French blue, but the boards may be finished in a lighter shade to improve the contrast with the black lettering.

[GeraldH]

Staff finally found the lettering for the station nameboards, although the lettering was ordered before the Pewsley extension was constructed and so the nameboard for Pewsley cannot be completed yet. it was also remembered a little late that the nameboards needed to be gloss varnished before the letters were added to ensure a good finish. Some of the posts are also a little off-piste due to the difficulty of drilling post holes at 90 degrees, but the new signs are much clearer than the old fence mounted ones. Someone now has to find some attractive vegetation to put in the planters. It is likely that some kind of mutant local shrubs will be planted (painted scouring pad).

Meanwhile the roofers have arrived and have installed the rather over-engineered trusses to the station roof. The line's third preserved Class 16 has snuck into the photo with the track maintenance (cleaning) train. These Class 16s seem to be breeding!

The next stage will be putting the slates on which looks like quite a big job. There is also some useful advertising space on the supporting walls which should generate some extra revenue

[GeraldH]

The roofers have arrived and spent the day putting slates (scored 150gsm card) on the overall roof. The lack of vents could make things a bit smoky in there, but most services use the BNR's patented push-pull system which means that steam locos rarely enter.

[GeraldH]

The roof is complete with some nice BNR French Blue bargeboards to finish it off

[GeraldH]

The paintshop has a lot of very old enamel paint most of which is still usable after 20-30 years, but it does take some stirring and sometimes the addition of thinners. Stirring by hand can be a bit tedious, but using a stirrer in a drill is a bit risky as there is always the possibility of knocking over the can and covering the paintshop and it's operatives in paint. In a moment of inspiration one of the paintshop staff realised that they could borrow a large clamp from the workshop team. The expo stirrer can now be mounted in drill no low speed and the old paints (mostly) restored .

[GeraldH]

Now that the overall roof is complete at Pewsley attention has turned to restoring the old Triang signalbox. It was quite draughty in there with no glazing and this also posed a security risk. The absence of a lever frame also meant that staff were wandering around changing points and signals manually. The chimney was also missing which did not help during the winter months.

The door has now been panelled to improve security and the glaziers will arrive shortly assisted by a new access at the lower level. A new (replica Triang) chimney has been sourced (Ebay) and painting has commenced.

A new lever frame has been constructed from parts already in store (panel pins and wooden trim).

The frame base has now been painted and the colours will be applied ot the levers shortly. No more need for staff to wander around the station throat dodging trains .

[Mountain]

Just incase you may need one, I have noticed that Elaines Trains have some spare chimneys for sale to fit the old Triang buildings. I do not know if they are suitable but it is worth a look.

[GeraldH]

Just incase you may need one, I have noticed that Elaines Trains have some spare chimneys for sale to fit the old Triang buildings. I do not know if they are suitable but it is worth a look.

Thank you. There is a chap on Ebay with the username "triangbuyer" trading as "DC Resin Replicas" who sells 4 x 3D printed replica Triang chimneys including delivery for £3. He also sells other replica Triang bits like coach interiors, wagon roofs, fuel tanks etc.. The chimneys needed a little tidying, but not much. I've no connection apart from my chimney purchase and it's worth a look if you're a Triang-Hornby restorer/refurbishers.

[Mountain]

Good. I like resin as it is nice to woork with.

[GeraldH]

Fred the Pewsely signalman has been sent down to the workshop to have a look at the new levers. They're very robust, but they are a little stiff!