The aim was to get a large gathering of ex-AFS vehicles for static showing and later the ring display. This we achieved as we had many varieties of AFS vehicles from many parts of the midlands and north, my own 326 included.
As you can see, 32 has been fully repainted and sign written. The tilt frame we had to have made from scratch using an original from another RL as a copy. The indicators are back where the delivery pics provided by John Thompson (author of the ‘Green machine’) from 1965 show them to be (very few RLs had them on the cheek panels, only tankers and fuel vehicles it seems, for some reason now lost in the mists of time). We’ve also popped it onto larger tyres which improves the economy and road holding no end. The larger truck mirrors fitted by Clywd Fire Brigade have gone as have the two tones on the roof, leaving quite a few holes which needed filling. The exhaust is longer so it doesn’t feed into the cab through the floor – quite useful, that…. The flashing yellows work and we now have two vintage fire extinguishers to use to help construct the extinguisher holders that were on the front bumper. The canvas tilt will follow when funds allow….!!
We think it looks good! It goes like stink although it’s a trifle noisy as it’s blowing at the manifold so we’re replacing the troublesome three-piece exhaust manifold with a one piece item later this week….
Further progress updates as and when, the next planned outing is the Nene Valley Railway transport festival in late July.
More Derby photos can be found here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mj_100/sets/72157634141372659/
32 in action in the ring:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mj_100/9063241218/in/set-72157634141372659
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