Windscreens arrive and trial fitted

After some delay, Cheshire Vehicle Windows have supplied the new windscreens for "279" and these have been trial fitted today. They are similar to ones supplied to Blackpool Transport previously for cars 700 and 717, but they taper slightly towards the top of the screen.
Although they look a little 'severe' in appearance at the moment, once the authentic rounded corners are attached at the top of the windscreens and the surrounding panelling is fitted, the Railcoach should start to come together.

Destination Boxes arrive

Four destination boxes have been manufactured specially for 279 by Indicators International in Northern Ireland. They have already been fitted with former Railcoach blinds as illustrated and the boxes will be fitted to the main cab frame. A surrounding steel frame then needs fabricating which will then finally allow the roof dome to be constructed.

Rewiring of the cabs continues whilst delivery of the new cab windscreens is expected in the next couple of weeks.

Frame ends fitted & panelling starts

Both frame ends have been fitted onto the main structure this week. Handbrake columns have been fitted in both cabs and the car's glazing has been fitted - with the surrounding timberwork in the saloons in progress. Work has also started on the panelling of the tram.

Panels are on-hand for the area underneath the windscreen whilst Blackpool Transport has lent us the Balloon-car roof dome in the hope that a panel off this cabn be used to create the Railcoach roof dome where it meets the former sunshine roof.

Steel ends fabricated - and ready for fitting

Two new steel-framed cabs, fabricated offsite at South Shore Metal Fabrications, arrived today and have been put into position ready for fitting. There are some minor tweaks to undertake, but once these are complete, the ends can be panelled and glazed. In the interim, handbrake & controllers will be put into place and painting of the cabs has started.

Plenty of seats inside the car...

Partly to satisfy a need to ensure the seat frames were all correctly aligned, but also to inspire us further along the road to completion, a trial fitting of seat backs was undertaken today. It certainly transforms the internal appearance of 279 - making it look much more complete. A full set of seats are to be retrimmed at the BusWorks in Blackpool in the traditional dark green tram moquette.

Swingover seats refitted

Swingover seat frames have been refitted to 279 this week, following powder coating and modifications to fit the seat rail fitted to '679' when it received bus seats. On the exterior repanelling of the cant-rail has started whilst at South Shore Metal Fabrications, the steel-framed ends are progressing well. But more of that next week...

New half-drop windows fitted

Eight new half-drop window units, fabricated by Cheshire Vehicle Windows, have been fitted to 279. The units were ordered after problems sourcing sufficient original units for 279 and the need to fit toughened safety glass. Interior woodwork has been revarnished and refitted, whilst 24 swing-over seat frames have been repaired and powder coated in green gloss ready for refitting.

After a false start, South Shore Metal Fabrications are fabricating new cab frames for 279, based on photos supplied and an original cab end from Balloon Car 717.