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Added 14th February


Added 21st December


Added 7th December


"...communication, co-operation, preservation..."

The Railcar Association is formed of owners of preserved multiple units. This site is dedicated to the history, technology and preservation of first generation DMUs.
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May Issue of Railcar Bulletin
Chris Moxon has produced the next issue in the new generation of TRA Bulletins: it can be found here. Contributions for the next issue can be sent to Chris at railcar@live.co.uk.

Moquette
The Epping Ongar Railway are looking for some rolls of moquette, preferrably BR blue/green refurnish a number of their vehicles including 117. They are also after off-cuts / left overs of NSE type blue to do some repairs. If anyone has some spare or interested in combining for a new order, please contact Simon Hanney at
simonhanney@hotmail.com.

Lifting Brackets
RVEL has a set of 4 DMU lifting brackets for sale (sensible offers only). They are currently certified for insurance purposes but would require a 6 monthly to be OK for the purchaser's own insurers. Contact richard.morris@rvel.co.uk.


DMUs to hire or sell?
Dave Smallwood would like to hear from anyone that has a 2-car set to hire out or sell. Contact him at
dave@dorsetofficesupplies.co.uk.
Jonjo O'Connell would also be interested to hear from anyone that has a railcar available for purchase, contact him at jonjo.oconnell@googlemail.com

A mexican railroad and need to buy 4 or 5 dmu for use in a small line, contact Juan Viladroza at railmexico@gmail.com

Overhaul Documents
Does anyone have any of the following documents? We can swap copies of others if we can get copies of these. stuart.dmu@gmail.com
Engineering Instruction MD/10 - Provision of tail lights

Engineering Instruction MD/80 - Brake cylinder trunnion brackets

Engineering Instruction MD/98 - EP Control relay panel

Engineering Instruction MD/160 - Exhaust system

Engineering Instruction MD/278 - Trico windscreen washer equipment

Engineering Instruction MD/348 - Cab heater and demister motor circuit

TP/TS/0319 - Overhaul of Final Drive


Liberia
The fate of the LAMCO Swindon Inter-City vehicles has been a mystery for some time but this picture http://www.larsjohannesson.com/photo/albums/liberia-bilder/Yekepa_Industrial_Area/12_Railbus_End_Station.html shows rusting shells that have been well stripped of almost everything. Five vehicles were exported, one crash damaged vehicle was pushed into a swap many years ago, and the pics show at least three of the other four surviving in March this year. The railway has been re-opened by Arcelor Mittal and, if they haven't already, will no doubt be cut up as the company clears up the site.


Seats Available
The Mid Hants Railway Vintage Carriage Group have some ex-Cravens seats formerly from 51681 or 2 (Rolls Royce engined type) which had been fitted in their Bullied 4367 coach when the army used it as an inspection saloon at Long Marston, presumably acquired from nearby Birds of Long Marston. They would like to offer them to a good home in return for a donation to their funds as it would be a shame to scrap them after surviving so long. If anyone is interested contact Martin Sims at mpsbodmin@aol.co.uk or 07792528462.


Preserved Railway Stock List
You may be interested in this comprehensive list of all preserved vehicles around the country, which has over 17,000 entries www.preservedrailwaystocklist.org.uk


2010 Railcar Convention
Next year's event will be hosted by the DMU Group (West Midlands) at the Severn Valley Railway, and the dates have been announced as the 7th to 10th October. The outline plan as follows (subject to confirmation):
Thursday 7th           Driver Experience (Limited to fully experienced drivers from heritage railways)
Friday     8th           Timetabled public passenger service.
Saturday 9th           Timetabled public passenger service.
Saturday 9th           TRA annual meeting to be held at Engine House, Highley at 14.00. There will be at least one steam path this day, and a special DMU service Kidderminster to Highley and return.
                              Evening DMU service to Bridgnorth at 19.00 for F&C meal on arrival.
Sunday  10th         1960's annual Classic Vehicle event, with mixture of DMU and steam services a la 1960's.


Spoon And Handle
Karl Bowman from the East Kent Light Railway is after a reverser "spoon" and brake handle if anyone has any spare. He's also after spares for their 101 if anyone can help. karl.bowman@doverport.co.uk


Book News

Modern Locomotives Illustrated
We keep hoping that there will be an issue of the excellent Modern Locomotives Illustrated looking at some DMUs in detail - in the meantime there's a section on First Generation DMUs in the first annual. It can be ordered here from Amazon for £12.59 (rrp £17.99).

Blue Pullman
The classic volume on the Blue Pullmans by Kevin Robertson has been reprinted. Available here from Amazon.

Blue Pullman Supplement
A supplement to the excellent Kevin Robertson book on the Blue Pullman is now out. Containing a further 100 pages on the sadly missed vehicles featuring previously unavailable material and unseen photographs, it can be ordered here from Amazon for £9.77 (rrp £13.95).


Flickr Multiple Unit Group
Chris Adams has set up a pool for multiple unit pics on the popular pic hosting site Flickr. Covering all sort of MUs - EMUs, DMUs and  DEMUs in traffic and preservation, there's already over 5,600 there. You can find it at http://www.flickr.com/groups/819676@N21/pool/.


You Tube clips
Perry from the Helston Diesel Group (Park Royal unit - http://www.helstondieselgroup.co.uk/) advised as about two superb videos on youtube, one shows the last train arriving at Perranporth station in 1963 formed of what appears to be a 3 car 118 and a 2 car 118 and the other video showing 2 seperate films that are on board a DMU on the same line in 1963.


For Sale
3-car 115, 2-car 117, Class 47. All at Barry depot. Also a cab cut off from a 101. Contact Carl at 01656 740262 or Carl.Hookings@ntlworld.com for details.


Rhodesian Wickhams
I don't feature a lot of foreign railcars here but this item was interesting http://www.sandstone-estates.com/interim/a_sad_end/The_Wickham_Railcars_of_Rhodesia_Railways.html. You can see a lot of similarities in the body between this Wickham and the twin sets they built for British Railways. If only someone could produce a picture of some abandoned Swindon units in Liberia! Thanks to Geoff Ingram for the link.


Blue Lenses
Ritchie Marcus (Battlefield) has had a batch of the 1 inch diameter blue glass lenses for the cab engine and air/axle light fittings made from  glass from the original patterns, and is offering these for sale. They cost £5 each, inclusive of VAT and postage. Contact him at rjmarcus@doctors.org.uk


Wickham Yahoo! Group
Jonathan Flood has started up a new Yahoo! Group, discussing all things Wickham – Railcars, Railbuses, DMUs, Trolleys, Trailers etc. It's at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WickhamofWare.


Video Clips
As video clips are nearly as common on the internet nowadays on the likes of You Tube, then perhaps DMU clips should also be listed here? If anyone wants to send in links, send them to here (links only, no clips/files!).
This one - Vehicles stored at Thornton Junction including 101s, 120s and the Mexican Bean unit.
This one - Class 101 51188 and 51505 2-car unit + bubble car 55006 arrive into Wirksworth simultaneously.
This one - Class 101 51188 and 51505 2-car unit + Class 117 51360 and Class 108 56224 leave Wirksworth together.
This one - Fire drill onboard M55006.
This one - The last train arriving at Perranporth station in 1963 formed of what appears to be a 3 car 118 and a 2 car 118
This one - Two separate films that are on board a DMU on the line above in 1963.
This one - A Southern unit.


Metalastic Bushes
These are used in the mounts of most Leyland 680 / AEC engines. Two fit on the engine, and two on the vehicle. A new batch of these have just been made, and available in sets of four at a cost of £115 (including VAT and P&P). There are just eight sets available, if you are interested please contact  stuartsellar @ blueyonder.co.uk.


Yahoo Groups
For those that are not aware of the Yahoo DMU groups available, the main ones are:
101DMU - "This group is for anyone interested in Class 101s (Metro-Cammell built diesel railcars). Anything relevant to these trains is welcome. Other types of first generation DMU are also acceptable. Report all your sightings, and share news, information, photos and opinions." 
1st-gen - "1st-gen is a forum for owners and operators of 1st-generation DMUs (and anyone else interested). Particular topics are requests for information / technical help and parts for sale / wanted."
mueg - "MUEG is an E-mail group for people interested in Multiple units of all types, ie EMU DMU DEMU. We cover both old and modern, and also heritage railways which these are used on."
Blue Pullmans - "A group for anyone interested in the erstwhile British Rail Blue Pullman sets which operated between London and Manchester / Birmingham / South Wales."
Thumpergroup - "News, views and latest information on ex-BR Class 201, 205, 207 and 210 DEMU's, also Northern Ireland '80' and 'castle' class DEMU's - all carrying English Electric 4SRKT engines."
Wickham Of Ware - discussing all things Wickham – Railcars, Railbuses, DMUs, Trolleys, Trailers etc. 

Acknowledgements: Many thanks are due to the many contributors to this site. Particular thanks are due to John Joyce (Llangollen Railway) and Mac Winfield (Dean Forest Railway), and to the NMSI for the use of the Class 114 image.

Copyright information: The written material on this site may be freely copied and distributed provided the source and original contributor (if applicable) are acknowledged. All pictures remain the copyright of the photographers. The copyright for the Class 114 image used in TRA emblem remains with the NMSI.