Bluebell Railway has issued an update on the progress of its work on Thumper 1305.

The underframe gang continues to apply black paint on the Driving Trailer Second (DTS), and has reached the stage of applying gloss on part of the structure. The Railway describes the work as “seemingly relentless and not a clean job by any stretch of the imagination!”

The gang is also cleaning various underframe fittings. Some have learned to use the grit blaster in the Carriage and Wagon workshop, which has helped with this process.

The Railway aims to return all the AWS (automatic warning system) bracketry, receiver and junction box to their locations up under the DTS.

While the team was removing parts from the DTS underframe, it discovered the reason for the speedometer’s lack of output. A hole in the conduit fitting had let in rainwater, which over time had corroded the inside of the housing and its contents. This will now be repaired.

In the Driving Motor Brake Second (DMBS), the brush boxes have been removed from the generators so they can be cleaned and inspected, and so the inside of the generators can be thoroughly cleaned and have a coat of insulating paint applied.

For work outside in the up yard, the Railway has benefited from a temporary 3 phase supply, arranged by Tony Astor and Tim Gray. This allows the plasma cutter to be used, and, once an adaptor is used to step the supply to single phase, to use lighting during the winter.

The Thumper Gang welcomes volunteers to help with its work to return it to passenger service. To offer your efforts, please contact [email protected].

To donate to the restoration, use the option in the drop-down menu for 1305 on the Bluebell Railway Trust’s web page. Please add Gift Aid to maximise your donation.