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Work is proceeding on two carriages, WMR 48 and 52, both second class cars built by the Company at Thorndon, Wellington, in the second batch 1906-07. These New Zealand built cars were built to plans based heavily on those of the previous order that were obtained from Jackson & Sharp (part of American Car & Foundry Co.) of Wilmington, Delaware.
We are making good progress with a restoration team who bring a wide range of skills to the work. They have achieved a lot of progress in the time since our previous report ( July 2024).
Progress since our last web site report is:
WMR No. 48 is approaching completion. We have pulled one bogie out and checked that over before replacing it. The second bogie is to be checked similarly. The air brake cylinder and triple valve have been overhauled.
Underfloor wires for the train electrical lines has been installed. Carriage lighting is on a loop line off that. Final connections at the headstocks, terminals and jumper cables, have yet to be completed.
Inside the saloons, all smoketubes through the ceilings have been fitted, one oil lamp was fitted as a trial, and the electrical work completed. The electric lights all work. Interior doors have been made, glazed and hung.
Oak mouldings have been machined and are being fitted to the window reveals to complete these areas. The mouldings will be varnished after completion of this work.
Brackets have been cast and fitted for the luggage racks above the windows. Work is proceeding on machining and splicing oak slats to go on the brackets, to make the full racks.
We have the castings for the dead buffers for 48 to reproduce those used by the WMR on all its bogie stock. We await the availability of a turner to machine these up so we can assemble the buffers. (These buffers were used on the Pennsylvania Railroad and some other North American lines in the days before the US Congress adopted Eli Janney’s knuckle couplings (1890). The WMR had adopted US operating and engineering practice from at least the time its line from Wellington to Longburn opened.)
Photo: Electric and oil lamps in place in 48, 2024
Photo: An interior door between one saloon of 48 and the corridor past the toilet compartment, 2024.
No. 52 was the second of last saloon carriage made by or for the WMR. When we stripped it down to its framing there was a lot of rot in those timbers most exposed to damp and the weather. We have lifted the upper body and stripped the floor framing. The two outermost floor sills (bottom plates, to a house-builder) are being replaced because of rot and breakages, also to keep the body’s deflection shape symmetrical. As much of the other floor framing as possible is being retained in our rebuild. At March 2025 we are rebuilding the floor framing, with a lot of care being taken to make sure the mortice and tenon joints fit together properly again.
Body tierods that cramp the framing together have mostly been withdrawn. Wasted sections have been cut out to be replaced with new steel. These are being threaded and primer-painted for use when we reassemble the body.
This carriage had been stripped of most underfloor ironwork, drawgear and bogies by some earlier owner, so we are having to overhaul what is available and re-usable, and to make replacements where necessary. Three ex-WMR bogies have been obtained, with the best being overhauled. Parts stripped from the third are being used in the overhaul as far as possible. We have had to make additional leaf and coil springs for the overhauled bogies. Reassembly has begun. An air brake cylinder and triple valve were obtained and overhauled to be ready when needed.
Photo: Trial assembly of the floor framing for 52 begins, March 2025. One new sill on the left, original centre sills being re-used right, nearest the upper body of 52. Transoms are a mix of original and new wood.
Photo: Mike Dutton lifts in the first new leaf spring for a bogie being overhauled for fitting to WMR 52, March 2025.
Wheelsets for 52 have had their journal bearings turned and matching white metal bearings have been made to be ready for fittings as the bogies progress.
Photo: This shows work in progress; WMR 42 (foreground) still in as received condition; WMR 48 looking externally complete; and Kevin Cottle and Rob Merrifield at work on the woodwork in progress on the floor of WMR 52. (photo taken by Glen Summers – March 2025)