33063 has vacated the shed and has now been moved into the loop at TWW ahead of this weekend's Model Railway Weekend. It gave us a chance to look at the areas of bodywork that still need some filling to smooth out any rough edges where panels have been replaced.
A little update on the No.2 end of 33063 which now has a full yellow end (only one coat) and a test patch of blue under the drivers droplight window🤔. The buffer beam has been completely repainted with all the air cocks, multiple working jumpers and ETH equipment stripped back to bare metal to remove years of layered up paint.
All air cocks were removed in the process and the rubber washers inside were found not in the best condition so new ones were made with a sheet of rubber and a homemade hole punch. All 4 buffers have also been refitted after being sent to Oleo for overhaul and certification. The buffer beam on No.1 end will receive the same treatment next year.
While cleaning up under the floor in the No.2 cab it was found the the ETH proving wire was found to have nearly worn through it's insulation but luckily not completely, so there was no real option other than to replace the wire along the length of the loco before it caused any damage.
Following on from the discovery of the British Railways Totem found on the loco it was required for the AWS (Automatic Warning System) relay box and power supply to be removed from the loco as they are situated directly behind the panel. It was then decided to rewire the AWS as some wires were also in poor condition this has been completed and was tested yesterday with the bell and horn sounding as they should and no faults found. It was also required for new metal conduit that comes up from the floor to be fitted as the original conduit has disintegrated. New flexi conduit was also fitted between the power supply and relay box. The AWS relay box was also cleaned and repainted to look like new thanks to our treasurer.
Videos of 33063's overhaul can be found on our social media:
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