Easter Holiday week in the MPD

First week of the school Easter holiday - where better to be but the MPD.

Tuesday (12th)

Started off by cleaning 4566 ready to run the Bridgnorth service train. During the morning moved loco parts from inside the machine shop and into containers. Throughout the day helped run round and water all service engines. After lunch cleaned out the big pit of loco ash and other debris, as well as the large pit sump. Disposal of 4566 after return from last round trip.

Thursday (14th)

Cleaned 4566 around the brass work, polishing boiler barrel, blackening the smoke box and cleaning the buffer beams. During the morning cleaned out the big pit again and removed 4566's ash from previous day and cleaned up oil spills. Following coal delivery, trimmed down coal pile to remove coal overflow from road side of pile to inside of compound. Throughout the day watering service engines and helping on run round. Cleaned out small pit sump to remove any remaining muck from after the weekend. Disposed 4566 after carriage shunt following return from last round trip.

Friday (15th)

During the early morning cleaned 4566 brass work and boiler barrel up to clean and shiny finish. Buffer beams and connecting rods were not done today as they were still in good condition from the cleaning the previous days. After 4566 went off shed, the big pit was emptied of firebox ash and cleaned down with the pressure hose.
During the late morning the second coat of primer was added to the areas on the left side 1501 outside of the chassis that had been touched up. After this a second coat of black undercoat was applied to the rear inner section of the chassis ready for the first coat of chassis black topcoat to be applied at a later time. Throughout the day watering of the service engines and assistance with all of the run rounds.

Saturday (16th)

During the morning 7812 Erlestoke Manor was thoroughly cleaned ready for return to active service hopefully by Thursday this week (21st). Visitors from the Junior Club also helped out with this, doing a very good cleaning job with the tender chassis and lower paintwork. During the afternoon cleaning on 46443 was done ready for it to be returned to service the following week/weekend. However its return to service was pulled forward on Sunday caused by the withdrawal from service of 42968 with repairs required on a leaking regulator gland. This will be back in service by next weekend if not some time during the week.
Later in the afternoon a first coat of black undercoat was applied to 1501's left chassis side over the primer patches. Service engine during the week will be 4566 up to Wednesday with the hopeful return of 7812 into active service by Wednesday afternoon acting as Bridgnorth service engine Thursday and Friday.

Unfortunately, the second week of the Easter hols I had to catch up on domestic chores and earn a bit more money!

written by Adam Thomas (BH MPD/STN)