 The replacement wood was ordered in early 2001, with a quote of some £1,250 being obtained. The wood was ordered and arrived at Wansford on the 12th March 2001. This includes the large bottom sides that support the base of the coach body, with the length of wood required being some 30ft long - this is being made up from 2 lengths of 18ft joined using scarf joints. Some of the uprights in the apparatus area have also been made by laminating pieces of wood together, due to the fact that it is no longer possible to obtain the size of wood we require! Careful consideration has gone into making sure that this will be strong enough to handle the forces that the apparatus section of the coach receives when exchanging mail. |
 These two pictures show most of the wood at Wansford, carefully "sticked" to allow air to circulate. |
 Some of the new bottom sides placed on the frames to ensure that they fit correctly. Note the original bottom side to the left of the new wood, which was used to mark out the new one. |
 This close-up view of the new bottom side shows the scarf joint. This is the method used by the LMS to join two lengths of wood together. |
 A close-up view of one of the new bottom sides showing little droplets of resin. |
 This 'chunk' of wood is a section that will be going back on the coach as it is in very good condition. The only work required is to remove all nails and screws, any holes created by these will be plugged up. Any paintwork will also be removed.The purpose of this bit of wood (it takes two people to lift it) is to hold the apparatus bedplate. |
 A replacement part for the fitting side of the coach is shown along side the part it is replacing. Note how much of the original part is wasted, especially around the area of the tongue at the top. |
 The new bottom side is shown on the left, along side the original. This section holds one of the large pillars of the apparatus area, which takes two people to lift, let alone move and position. |
Overhauling the body - Apparatus end (Rebuilding)
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