For some time RRRG had two ETH/Auxiliary Generator sets at an electrical contractors in Birmingham, along with two traction motors. The company had been contracted to overhaul one of the ETH/Auxiliary Generator sets for use in 50030, the intention being that they would do it as an infill job. Unfortunately following initial part stripping of one of the sets, little work was undertaken. Finally in the summer of 2008, we were advised that the generators were outside of the normal type of equipment that they dealt with and as such whilst they were capable of doing the job, it would not be economically viable for them to fit it in between the large contract work that they were undertaking for the main line railways. As such arrangements were put in place to have the generators moved. Here the lorry tractor unit is seen recoupling to the trailer, which turned out to be a tricky exercise as the trailer had settled slight under the weight, resulting in the trailer being unable to recouple. Andy Rowlands watches proceedings as the tractor shuffles backwards and forwards attempting to recouple. 20th October 2008.

The recoupling exercise was made more tricky by the tight location, and the fact that the tractor unit was blocking the road. Fortunately its only a minor road, but at least one person exited down the pavement at the side of the lorry, fortunately they were driving a Mini. 20th October 2008.

With the tractor unit finally coupled to the trailer the full load is ready to leave. The items are from left to right, ETH generator end plates (under the tarpaulin) Auxiliary generator field windings/body, traction motor armature, traction motor bodies, partially stripped ETH/Auxiliary generator set and complete ETH/Auxiliary generator set. 20th October 2008.

The two generator sets are seen loaded and ready to leave for Heanor. 20th October 2008.

The load is seen shortly after arrival at Bowers, being unloaded by their yard crane. 20th October 2008.

The items were initially offloaded into Bowers' drop zone, before being taken into the workshop for assessment and for the better of the sets to be overhauled. 20th October 2008.

Here we see the partially stripped ETH/Auxiliary generator standing in Bowers workshop, shortly after offloading. This set is the better of the two, and will be overhauled for use in 50030 Repulse. The other (complete set) has suffered flashover damage at sometime. 20th October 2008.

At this stage other than removal little work had been undertaken on the Auxiliary Armature. 4th December 2008.

The auxiliary generator armature is seen following cleaning, baking and repainting, it is seen mounted on a temporary shaft that was used to mount it on the lathe for undercutting. The commutator is at the far end and has been masked to protect it from paint. 17 February 2010

By December work on the ETH/Auxiliary generators was progressing nicely. The partially stripped (better condition) ETH/Auxiliary generator set had been completely stripped down, and had passed a Megger test. Here the ETH armature is seen standing on stands in the workshop in the process of being cleaned up. 4th December 2008

The brush box end of the ETH generator body is seen showing the field windings following initial cleaning of the unit. 4th December 2008.

Unfortunately when removed from the field windings, the ETH armature banding was found to be suffering from the effects of old age, and showed slight damage and weakening. 4th December 2008.

ETH Field windings had also had some initial cleaning undertaken and are seen alongside the Armature, the long shaft protruding toward the camera is the mounting for the Auxiliary Armature which had been removed. 4th December 2008.

The ETH Generator for Renown is seen stripped down, this has proved a useful template to assist with the refurbishment of the generator set for Repulse. Once 50030's generator set is completed, this one will be put back together with a good Auxiliary Generator, and put to one side to await its turn in a few years time. Unfortunately, this will be a far larger job as the ETH has significant damage to its armature, as seen in the next picture. We have since acquired a far better condition ETH generator for use in 50029 leaving this item as a repairable spare. 17th February 2009.

Other work undertaken was to strip the poorer generator set, check all of the components, and to enable any parts to be cannibalised off this set if necessary. Here the two armatures are seen, Auxiliary to the left and damaged ETH to the right. 4th December 2008.

This picture shows a closer view of the damaged ETH armature. 4th December 2008.

This view shows the condition of the field windings on the poorer of the ETH Generators and some of the damage that it has suffered. 4th December 2008.

The fan end of the poorer ETH Generator showing the sooty condition of the internals. This generator is the worst of the generators that will eventually be needed for Renown, the good news is that repair is possible. We have since purchased a much better condition ETH generator for Renown which will be coupled with a good condition ex-Class 37 auxiliary generator but the set pictured is retained as a repairable spare. 4th December 2008.

Damaged ETH Armature for Renown, unfortunately these machines are rare, and the other ETH Armature owned by Renown Repulse Restoration Group is also in a poor condition, which will force a significant repair when a machine is overhauled for Renown. The Auxiliary is less of a problem being common with a Class 37. We have since acquired a far better condition ETH generator for use in 50029. 17th February 2009.

Another view of the Auxiliary generator field windings and case, the other Auxiliary Generator case is seen to the left on the floor. 17 February 2009