In addition to the successful Gala Weekend, 37 025 received repairs for minor air leaks in the control air system. After starting the exhausters, both air and vacuum brake systems were tested and after a few adjustments went on to work perfectly together with the DSD system. The loco is now considerably closer to returning to service and work over the next few months will concentrate on completing the re-wire, cleaning up and testing the traction motors and finishing off body repairs prior to repaint into BR large logo blue livery.

Work on the first DMU engine is progressing well as the auxiliary components are overhauled and reunited with the main engine block.

27th April

West Coast Railway's 33 207 arrived today for the weekend gala. It travelled from Manuel to Bo'ness with the civil engineering train

23rd April

The roof recovering for 25 235 is nearing completion and an earth fault on the loco has been rectified ahead of its return to service for next weekend's diesel gala. On 37 025, the old lighting wiring from the No2 end to the No1 cab has been stripped out, all contactors & relays in the cubicle have been lubricated and tested for operation, the fire detection circuit has been connected and warning bells now operate in both cabs, No2 end lighting control switches have been re-connected with the nose compartment and drivers desk lighting now operational, broken brass studding on the earth fault resistors has been replaced and the No2 drivers gauge panel connected. Using the shed compressor, a full test of the air system was carried out before moving the loco outside for a start-up to check operation of the on-board compressors which performed faultlessly.

16th April

During this week, the office/mess building timber floor has been completed and fabrication of the first floor wall panels started together with the first fix electrical work. 27 001 was over the pit for brake adjustments for a couple of hours on Sunday. The first DMU engine is nearing completion with rocker gear now refitted together with the fuel injector pump. 25 235's main roof structural framework has been rebuilt, coated in primer and is now ready for sheeting with new GRP whilst the removable hatch has now been covered with the new material. On 37 025, No1 end bogie brake cylinders have been overhauled and again, as was the case last week, more corrosion was found on one of the cylinders resulting in another replacement. Elsewhere on the loco, No2 cab driver's gauge panel has been re-fitted and more body panels filled and rubbed down.

9th April

With the blockwork now complete on the office/mess building, the wood technicians have made a start on the joists for the first floor. the roof for 25 235 has now been stripped of the old GRP sheeting, rivets drilled out and the framework cleaned ready for re-assembly. The sump and cylinder heads have been re-fitted to the 1st DMU engine and most of the components that were removed from the NBL shunter D2767 have now been re-fitted. In preparation for an air system test on 37 025, all brake cylinders on No2 end bogie were stripped down and cleaned, on one cylinder, the internal corrosion was particularly bad and necessitated replacement. In the No2 cab, the second man's panel switches have been connected and the main lighting switch and circuit breakers re-fitted.

2nd April

All split pins and security wires have now been fitted to the big end bearings and other components on the DMU engine which will now allow the sump pan to be re-fitted. Work continues on the NBL shunter D2767 and a start has been made on tightening the cylinder head bolts to the required torque. On 37 025, the air & vacuum operated control switches in No2 nose end have been re-fitted and connected, the cab to nose end bulkhead painted, the AWS equipment, change end switch and fire bell re-fitted to the cab to boiler room bulkhead and the second man's control panel re-fitted and the electrical connections completed. Out side the shed, the area to the north has been tidied, scrap removed and the spare traction motors and other items palletised.

1st April

After great effort this week, the washroom in the new shed office/mess building was completed. Featuring a power shower, hydrotherapy spa bath and heated floor, this spectacular facility is the last word in luxury and sets a new standard for washrooms at preserved railways. A picture of the facility is here Also this week, class 303 EMU ran for the first time under its own power. A combination of solar panels and a high power inverter designed by Andrew Harper made this remarkable feat possible. Mr Harper is confident that with some modifications the inverter would be capable of powering a Class 86 or 87 loco to speeds of 55 mph with a trailing load of 375 tons, thus making the preservation of AC electric locomotives a viable proposition without the need for investment in overhead line apparatus. The inaugural run was an outstanding success, marred only by the brief appearance of some stratocumulus resulting in an unscheduled stop at Craw Yetts where good use was made of the new on-board refreshment trolley until the outlook improved. Patents for the system are pending and it is hoped to be able to offer it for sale later in the year, for further information contact 25kvac@srpsdiesel.com

26 March

The Exhausters and No1 Traction Motor Blower were reunited with 37 025 on Tuesday evening and today saw the all the pipwork refitted to the No2 nose compartment taking the loco another stage closer to an air system test. Elsewhere in the shed, block work on the new office/bothy is nearing completion and work has started on removing the old roof covering on 25 235

On the first DMU engine, Pistons, Rods, Oil Pump and pipes have been cleaned up and re-fitted and 4" of sludge cleared from the sump.

19 March

Following the mid-week departure of the rail tour stock complete with the refurbished Mk1 FO, the Diesel Depot has returned to normal activities, 25 235 has been moved on to the pit road for attention to body work which will include replacing the GRP sheets covering the engine room roof sections. This work is essential to prevent ingress of rainwater and any further damage to the electrical systems. It is intended to complete this to enable the loco to feature at the Spring Diesel Gala on 29th & 30th April

Work continues on 37 025 with the No2 nose end compartment now ready to receive the overhauled exhausters which will be lifted in this week so that a start may be made on reconnection of the associated pipework next weekend. A comprehensive "jobs still to do" board is now hanging on the "A" side of the loco to assist in progressing the overhaul to completion with tasks to suit all skill levels.

26 February

Most of the work undertaken by the diesel group this week has been to assist Railtours with the overhaul of bogies before the start of this year's season. Aboard 37 025, the No2 nose compartment painting is now complete, No2 end lighting circuits have been rewired and start made on re-wiring the lighting within the engine room before refitting the lighting circuit breakers and control switches. Work continues preparing the exterior for undercoat with only a few areas of corroded metalwork left to renew.

19 February

The first of the Mk1 bogies has been re-united with its wheel sets and following a fresh coat of paint has been rebuilt and is now almost ready to fit to the coach. Work continues on the cylinder heads for the Class 126 DMU engine and also on the repairs to the NBL cylinder heads. After a productive two days, the bothy block work is also nearing completion. Today saw the brake timing frame refitted to 37 025 and both exhausters and associated pipework cleaned up and coated with primer. Back at No1 end the second man's control desk wiring has been connected and the parking brake handwheel and chain drive refitted and tested. In the nose end, the conduit inspection covers have been replaced and all conduits painted with orange identification paint.

12 February

Work continues on the FO coach and this weekend saw one bogie stripped down, all components cleaned and a start made on painting the frame. The wheelsets are also receiving attention with axle boxes removed and old grease cleaned away for a bearings inspection.

In the No1 nose compartment of 37 025, both compressors have been bolted to their mountings, all pipe work reconnected, the support bracket for the traction motor blower installed and the various brake system pressure switches refitted. Both horns have been re-installed together with the No1 end secondman's control desk. Bodywork is also making good progress with the loco steadily changing colour to green anti-corrosion primer.

05 February

A lift was carried out on Mk1 FO Coach to release the bogies for overhaul as part of the ongoing overhaul.

The two compressors and main air receiver have now been reunited with 37 025 and work started on re-connecting them. Before testing the air system, it will be necessary to refit the drivers gauge panels, the engine room brake frame and all associated pressure switches. It is hoped to complete this work before the end of the month which then allow the straight air brake system to be tested. Whilst 025 was out of the shed, the opportunity was taken to run the engine which, after some initial smoke, settled down to a steady idle.

29 January

Work is well under way on the overhaul of the first class126 DMU engine. All main components have been removed and the cylinder heads stripped down, cleaned and valve seats re-ground. One road of the MMPD is currently occupied by a Mk1 coach receiving major overhaul before returning to service as part of the SRPS Railtours Fleet. To accommodate this work, 25 235 has been temporarily moved to the carriage shed, however it's engine room roof remains and will receive new GRP sheeting to eradicate the ingress of water to the loco.

37 025 and NBL Shunter D2767 have been moved on to the pit road. All corroded body panels on 37 025 have now been replaced leaving only rain strips and gutters to complete the exterior body work. Painting of the interior No1 end nose compartment should be completed this week which will allow the re-installation of the overhauled compressors and blower motor.

This weekend also saw the blockwork for the new shed bothy started. This structure will also provide an drawing and records office together with a "clean room" for the repair and overhaul of sensitive equipment such as brake system components and electrical components.

15 January

The rebuild of 25 235 following generator repairs is now nearly complete and by lunch-time, the load regulator, exhaust stack, venturi pipe had been refitted, the cooling system filled and batteries topped up and placed on charge. Work continued on refitting the generator brush boxes and replacing damaged conduit to the load regulator and by 7pm the loco was started up and after some light smoke cleared it settled down to usual steady beat

13 January

A Diesel Group departmental meeting is scheduled for 13:00 on Sunday 15th,
apologies for absence or items for inclusion to andrew@srpsdiesel.com

09 January

After the Christmas Break, work has commenced in earnest to complete the re-installation of 25 235's Generator Set. With six of the group working on the loco, progress is good and hopefully it will be running again by next weekend.