Changes

Part of the restoration involved moving the body of 70759 from its original heavily corroded underframe onto the newly refurbished underframe of another Gangwayed Full Brake/Pigeon Van, No 70442 (formerly LNER 4069). A time lapse video of the move which took place on 12 July 2011 is available on [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjTLy7qBSf4 Youtube]. The restoration of 70759 has seen the larger van portion converted to 4 passenger compartments with a corridor and toilet; the small van and guard's compartment have been restored to 1950s vintage condition, and the original pigeon racks have been refitted. 70759 was shunted out of Bewdley C&W on Thursday 30/7/15 and was moved to Kidderminster on Friday 7/8/15 for further varnishing, and then to stay in the carriage shed whilst awaiting its turn in the mechanical workshop and Paintshoppaintshop. Its expected to enter It entered the paintshop on 14/12/15 for lining and lettering, further paint and varnishplus internal finishing. Half of the The seats have so far been upholstered in red & black cut moquette, whilst the reproduction frames for the oval mirrors have recently been delivered from Boston Lodge. The reproduction mirrors are on order. The batteries are in place and working, and LED lamp bulbs installed. On the mechanical side, the gangways have been refurbished prior to re-fitting, whilst the bogies have been refurbished and are almost ready for re-fitting.

Parts have been recovered from the body of 70442 for use in the restoration on 70759 and elsewhere, while the underframe of 70759 has been dismantled for spare sections, the centre portion having been being retained at Kidderminster carriage works as a strong and stable workbench.