M30272M - Overhauling the body - Apparatus end (Dismantling)
The apparatus side of the coach after the sheet cladding and window frames had been removed. There is a sliding door (removed) just on the right hand side of the picture and one of the two external lamps used on TPOs with apparatus would have been fixed to the solid wooden area shown in the bottom right of the picture.
Another view of the framework
The sorting side of the coach after the sheet cladding had been removed. The nearest part of the coach is the area of the toilet, with the filler pipe for the water tank shown on the end of the vehicle. Note how the side of the carriage 'steps' out at the point where the letter fittings start.
A similar view to that above but with the end of the vehicle having had all the sheeting removed, a section of the roof removed and the apparatus area removed.
Another view showing the 'gap' in the roof and apparatus area. Note also the extra trussing used inside the coach to support the framework while work progresses.
The picture also shows the use of the cut away buffer head to accommodate the offset corridor connection.
Pictured in early 2001, the 'bottom side' bearer on M30272M can be clearly seen just above the steel framework.
The 'bottom side' in closer detail. The lower part of the picture shows the step-boards with the bottom side above it. It can be clearly seen why this needs replacing!
Another view of the 'bottom side'.
An interior shot of M30272M in January 2001 showing the floor area where sections of the cross members have been remove, so that the 'bottom side' (on the right) can be removed.
Another view of M30272M's floor area.
A view of the 'fittings' area. Note the 'angle iron' used to hold the sides of the coach in place. As far as we know, no other coach was constructed in such a way.
The inside of the coach with most of the roof removed.
While the roof was being removed Pete Silver (from Didcot's TPO group) was making drawings of the end of the coach and also removing all the screws used to hold each joint together.
"Holding the trophy"
Brian Hallett, Pete Silver and Brian White hold the last piece of the end framework before removing it. Other sections of the frame lay on the scaffolding to the front of the picture.
The bottom side of the end frame, note the badly wasted areas to the right. This section is being replaced.
The middle of this picture shows the bottom side of the apparatus area on the floor. Note the 'Mail' section of the coach lying beneath it.
A close up of the bottom side showing how much of the original section of wood has been cut away and also the amount of rot that has set in. Despite the good areas, this has had to be replaced.
The apparatus side of the coach after the sheet cladding and window frames had been removed. There is a sliding door (removed) just on the right hand side of the picture and one of the two external lamps used on TPOs with apparatus would have been fixed to the solid wooden area shown in the bottom right of the picture.
Another view of the framework
The sorting side of the coach after the sheet cladding had been removed. The nearest part of the coach is the area of the toilet, with the filler pipe for the water tank shown on the end of the vehicle. Note how the side of the carriage 'steps' out at the point where the letter fittings start.
A similar view to that above but with the end of the vehicle having had all the sheeting removed, a section of the roof removed and the apparatus area removed.
Another view showing the 'gap' in the roof and apparatus area. Note also the extra trussing used inside the coach to support the framework while work progresses.
Pictured in early 2001, the 'bottom side' bearer on M30272M can be clearly seen just above the steel framework.
The 'bottom side' in closer detail. The lower part of the picture shows the step-boards with the bottom side above it. It can be clearly seen why this needs replacing!
Another view of the 'bottom side'.
An interior shot of M30272M in January 2001 showing the floor area where sections of the cross members have been remove, so that the 'bottom side' (on the right) can be removed.
Another view of M30272M's floor area.
A view of the 'fittings' area. Note the 'angle iron' used to hold the sides of the coach in place. As far as we know, no other coach was constructed in such a way.
The inside of the coach with most of the roof removed.
While the roof was being removed Pete Silver (from Didcot's TPO group) was making drawings of the end of the coach and also removing all the screws used to hold each joint together.
"Holding the trophy"
The bottom side of the end frame, note the badly wasted areas to the right. This section is being replaced.
The middle of this picture shows the bottom side of the apparatus area on the floor. Note the 'Mail' section of the coach lying beneath it.
A close up of the bottom side showing how much of the original section of wood has been cut away and also the amount of rot that has set in. Despite the good areas, this has had to be replaced.