March 2026 update

With the windows previously removed, the frame work has since been rust treated, primed and is awaiting the attention of some filler in various places. The inside has also been rubbed down and given a coat of primer.

All cleaned down and primed, ready for some filler in a few places

Inside of the No2 end cab showing the cleaned up area with a coat of primer applied

Whilst we was stripping down the inside of the No2 end cab around the drivers side, we found that the wooden mouldings around the windows have suffered badly from water ingress. Upon some investigation from the team we found two main area's of concern, one being some welding blow holes caused by welding of the angled gutter strip down the cab and a rather large hole in the cab roof. Both areas have now had these area's attended to, new wood work will be required before the cab goes back together.

Some of the blow holes in the metal which have caused the water ingress into the cab

Another hole that's caused us problems, sadly this is what we was expecting from something 65 years old.

With some new steel work added in above the door and the batch on the roof, work can now continue on getting this area fully cleaned and primed.

Work continues on the bodyside steel work at a great pace, as you may have seen from previous postings that the bodyside has not faired well with age with large areas of corrosion. Sadly most of the large bodyside grills have suffered with corrosion over the years, the frames have been pushed out causing the aluminium grill slats to become distorted.

With the old section of body removed, and the frame exposed, this area will now be cleaned, rust treated and painted before a new steel work is added.

And just like magic and new section of steel is added in place

Member's of the team hard at it on the bodyside of 37003. As you can see one of the exposed grill area's showing the rotten frame work behind.

A new section of steel work having been cut to size is test fitted before being welded into place.

The stripped down No2 end cab of 37003, showing some original green 1960's paint coming through

60 years worth of dirt and filth, including a mars bar rapper from 1987!!

A removed sand box cover, having some new gaskets made for it. The metalwork will now be treated painted before it al gets refitted at a later date.