WINTER IN FOND-DE-GRAS (part2)
In the first part we gave an overview of the activities necessary for the resumption of seasonal traffic. These were traditionally supposed to begin on May 1, but Corona has forced the start to be postponed to an unknown date…..
Volunteer activities in Fond-de-Gras are also suspended until further notice.
A number of projects are therefore on hold.
Maintenance of diesel locomotive 7309 “Atlanta”.
This locomotive, acquired by the Belgian State Railways (SNCB) in 2004, performs its service outside the normal timetable, but is regularly called upon. While maintenance was limited to the usual interventions, it was time to take care of her in more detail: The various filters were replaced, the fuel injectors were sent to a specialized SCNB workshop for inspection and repair, the engine settings were checked, etc. For these tasks, for which there is hardly any expert knowledge at Train 1900, we enlisted the help of a Belgian expert who is well known in the circle of railroad preservationists: Mr. Pierre Herbiet. In addition, the main organs of the braking system (levers, etc.) were handed over to SNCB for revision. A date for recommissioning cannot be given, but in principle the locomotive should be ready to start operation.
Revision of steam locomotive 507 “Energy”.
The examination of this locomotive after the expiry of its five-year term at the end of 2017 suggested major work on the boiler. After obtaining various opinions, replacement of the firebox and part of the firebox (outer shell of the rear part of the boiler), as well as minor maintenance work on other components, proved to be appropriate. While much of the work could be done on site or with the usual subcontractors, the work on the boiler had to be contracted out to the workshop in the UK, with whom we had worked on more than one occasion. The investment is, of course, considerable and beyond the owner’s means. An agreement between the owner and AMTF, which regulated the work and the future use of the locomotive on site, made it possible to obtain support from the Ministry of Tourism.
In February, the boiler finally returned to Fond-de-Gras and was placed on the chassis in a makeshift manner. Adjustments were made for its proper installation and attachment, and an ignition test was to be conducted. At this point, when all preparations had been made, the lockdown came….
Overhaul of the steam locomotive ADI 12
This locomotive underwent a major repair from 2007 to 2012.
Since then, it has covered more than 6,000 km without incident. However, as its five-year period has expired, it has been compulsorily decommissioned since November 2018.
The plan is to have her back in service by 2022. Until then, a number of interventions are required: replacement of the tube bundle, replacement of some spacers, correction of the imperfect steam distribution during reverse operation. In addition, all the fittings must be overhauled in order to have an equally reliable locomotive for the next five-year period.
From now on, the pipes were dismantled, the accessories such as compressor, electric turbogenerator, water levels were removed and their revision will continue… In the basement of a member, which is less bulky. In the meantime ….
Restoration of the locomotive AEB 5 (renumbered 6).
This locomotive was on display within the ARBED Belval site from 1974 to 1993.
As it became more and more dilapidated and ARBED was no longer interested in investing in its preservation, AMTF bought it and moved it by crane and low loader to Fond-de-Gras in July 1993. Since then, she was parked protected in the back of the depot, waiting for an opportunity.
In 2019, it was thought that it was time to take a closer look at its condition and, if necessary, set up a project for its complete restoration.
The first step was to excavate the boiler to see its state of preservation. A rough cleaning revealed no obvious anomalies, either on the fire or water side. The drawers were opened: no major negative findings. This probing is being done in stages to avoid being left with a pile of parts after a complete disassembly and the possible conclusion that restoration is not feasible or at least difficult to fund. As with the other projects, the work is suspended.
The two long-term projects at the ProActif workshop, which is also out of work, are on hold:
Railcar ex DB VT 95 669 aka 551.669.
This project of a major overhaul had become necessary due to the long service life without major interventions. It was 1996 when the railcar was transferred from the Chemin de Fer des 3 Vallées (B) to Fond-de-Gras. Some unavoidable repairs were carried out and years of intensive use followed.
At the beginning of 2015, the railcar entered the ProActif workshop.
Currently, the engine-truck part is completed: Overhaul by specialized workshops of the diesel engine, all auxiliary units, axles, engine axle, springs, shock absorbers, brake system components. Internally by ProActif: cleaning, stripping and painting, reassembly, renewal of all pneumatics, reassembly of the engine truck under the body.
Body side: removal of the entire interior of the passenger compartment, removal of the corroded floor panels and the exterior of the body, renewal of the access steps, repair of the doors, stripping, cleaning and painting of the body framework and the roof.
In front of the containment, the adjustment and renewal of the cooling and heating lines was prepared. Waiting for the resumption.
Prussian side door car “Abteiwon”.
It would be a long-term project, AMTF was aware of that when it acquired this car from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Eisenbahngeschichte (DGEG) in Bochum in 2007. This model had been ubiquitous on the Luxembourg rail network until about 1960, but not a single example had survived. This was the motivation to tackle this project together with the ProActif team, which already had experience with several vehicle restoration projects. The starting signal was given in January 2013.
To date, the entire mechanical part (chassis, suspension, shock and drive, brakes) has been worked on.
It was clear that the condition of the wooden structure required a complete renewal. The old structure served only as a model and for the recovery of metal parts. This structure with the doors and the roof was finished, including the fabrication, the base coat and the fixing of the external sheets. Inside, ProActif has rebuilt the internal partitions, whose installation, largely completed, had to be interrupted in mid-March.
When work can resume on this project, it will be another two years before the car is back in service.
AW 28.04.2020.