Iron Work
I got caught by surprise when I saw the progress that Ollie and his crew have made on the steel and iron parts of the wagon.






Both axles are now painted. On one, the 1886 axle there is a mark on a wheel-spoke: "PS&ACL". I can't find out what company this might be but it isn't the same as the name on the axle, which is Steel Peech and Tozer. Any clues about who PS&ACL are would be gratefully received.



Three of the buffers are identical and probably original items but one is slightly larger and flatter and its housing slightly longer than the others. I should like to see these buffers all returned to the restored wagon, the replaced buffer being part of its history that we are attempting to preserve.



In a phone call on Friday Ollie told me that he and John, the engineer, have agreed to use the original metal work wherever possible. I think this is a fine idea. Much of the metalwork is wrought iron and original. Some of it, like one of the brake mechanisms is of a very elegant design which it would be a pity to lose.



Today when I went to take photos of the metal work Ollie and his team were hard at work de-rusting and descaling the metal prior to coating with primer to preserve it. Some of the metal is badly corroded and will have to be built up with weld or filler but none except the springs seems to be beyond recovery.