4th NATIONAL DMU CONVENTION
October 1st, 2nd & 3rd 1999
Held at the West Somerset Railway, held in conjunction with The Railcar Association and the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group. There was a total possible DMU mileage over the weekend of over 200 miles. All pictures by Paul Moxon.

Friday

Friday was driver experience day. The WSR service set (Class 115) was chartered for the day, and ran one return trip from its base at Bishops Lydeard (BL) to Minehead, and due to a steam driver experience course ran the rest of the day between BL and Williton, making three returns on this section.

Each driver got a chance to drive on half of the line, so four drivers were let loose on the first trip and one each way on the rest. In between journeys there was plenty of tea (to calm nerves?) and a look around the Park Royal DTC at Williton and the Somerset & Dorset Trust site at Washford.

All drivers thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and many welcomed the opportunity to drive on a good length of line and to get the chance to take power in fourth gear! Despite it being a strange line to them and taking the controls of a strange unit all drivers performed admirably. The WSR have said they will repeat this driver experience if there is a demand and this looks like becoming a regular event at the annual gatherings.

Friday night’s entertainment was a slide show held by the West Somerset Railway Association in Taunton. A WSR DMU driver and First Great Western employee Chris Holland had a most professional collection of pictures from home and trips to the USA.

Saturday

The timings of the WSR DMU service allowed a return trip to from BL to Minehead before the formal gathering at 14:00 in BL visitor centre. In this centre the model railway had some member's DMUs – with a WR theme – a Class 117, 120 & 123. Unfortunately the railway had been vandalised shortly before and running was restricted a small part. TRA regional co-ordinators had a pre-meeting to get some of the nitty gritty out of the way before the days ‘entertainment’ started.

First up was a presentation to Jim McWilliams, who operated MC Metals. Jim was presented with a framed picture of one of the now restored Bubble Cars which had passed through his yard. He was thanked for the way he had helped almost every group with spares over the years. His wife Agnes was presented with flowers and after a short speech they went for a trip on the 14:35 DMU.

The next speaker, Ian Buck, was from Angel Train Contracts, who are the owners of all the Class 101/117/121s on lease to TOCs. He spoke of the formation of the company, it’s attitude towards the ‘conventional’ DMUs and how it is restricted in what it does with them when they are returned to them. As predicted, there was concern shown to the speaker about the disposal of these vehicles although an idea from the floor will be put before the ATC hierarchy and could be an ideal solution to secure the remaining vehicles.

Now running late, the remainder of the business was rattled through. Tony Fox gave a summary of the questionnaire responses, which showed that the association was working well and no changes were required, which all agreed. The relevant events of the forthcoming year were discussed and action decided.

As the only nominee, the 2001 event was decided to be on the Mid-Norfolk Railway, hosted by Railcar Enterprises. There was no AOCB, so it was on with the slides. Robert Pugh had an excellent selection showing the DMUs on the WSR over the years, and then some of his others were squeezed in.

The 17:30 departure was dictated by need to cross a service train, and this took us to Williton where the D&EPG have their base. We were allowed to have look around inside their new shed, the Park Royal DTC, and the ‘Swindon’ building, which contained one of the WSR Class 115 power cars, which had all the steel plate removed at the front of one side.

The Park Royal trailer car is undergoing restoration by the D&EPG, and they are doing a fine job. All the roof panels had been removed and resealed to make it watertight. New floor, walls and ceilings had been put in. The toilet compartment was being built. Their power car is in a similar condition.

The train then went onto Washford where the party went to the Washford Inn. A special meal of sausages and chips was laid on at a bargain £1.50. After that most people enjoyed their first ever game of skittles (not that it showed!). The DMU took people back to Williton and BL.

Sunday

The day began with a DMU run from BL to Minehead, where the WSR’s CME met us and took us on a tour of the engine shed. The statutory group picture was taken before departure on the return journey. This trip continued through BL and down the further two miles to Norton Fitzwarren (the junction with Railtrack). Back at BL most people departed for home although there was still the opportunity to do another round trip to Minehead.

Summary

Altogether it was a most enjoyable three days, and very productive for most. Many thanks must go to Robert Pugh for all the hard work put into the event.

51880 pictured at Minehead on the Saturday morning	51880 Arriving at Bishops Lydeard on the Sunday
Who didn't wipe their feet? The interior of 56169	The end of the line at Norton Fitzwarren

The 5th Annual DMU convention 2000

This years event is being held at the East Lancs Railway, hosted by the Bury DMU Group (BUDMUG). It is planned for the second weekend in October, and again should be a three-day spectacle.