ISSUE 5 - July 1996

INTRODUCTION

It was good to meet a few of you at the Dean Forest (even those that arrived after the last train!). The event was productive for us as we got some more subscribers out of it - improving the usefulness of The Bulletin. See the report below.

Please support the 101 railtour if you can; it's sure to be a great day out and it's for a worthy cause. If this does not attract sufficient interest it may be unlikely that any similar tours could be run in future.

Progress is being made with the development of the quarterly Journal. A stock of articles and photographs is needed to start things off. It will be helpful if would-be contributors can start to produce in-depth articles on any aspect of DMUs. Photos are certainly welcome. It is hoped that the first issue will appear in the autumn.

Remember to have your submissions for the next edition ready in time for Saturday 17th August. Running dates and certain other items will be repeated until they become out of date.

NEWS

CLYDE HERITAGE COASTER As part of their fund-raising, the NDRM's 101 Appeal has organised a railtour using 2 X 2-car Strathclyde 101s on Sunday 25th August. The Caledonian Blue unit requested.

The itinerary is as follows: Glasgow Central (08:43 pu); Barassie Junction (rev); Kilmarnock (rev); Stranraer Harbour; Byrehill Jct.-Dubbs Jct. (freight-only); Ardrossan Harbour; Saltcoats (rev); Largs; Shields Jct.-High St. Jct. (freight-only); Springburn; Cowlairs Curve; Glasgow Queen Street (16:02 sd). Subject to confirmation.

Fare is £35 (adult), £19 (child). Photo stops and breaks included plus on-board refreshments and raffle. Every passenger will receive a souvenir programme. Enquiries and bookings (with SAE) to: The 101 Appeal, 20 Cranborne, East Herrington, SUNDERLAND SR3 3SQ.

DMU OPEN DAY This Dean Forest event was very worthwhile and was enjoyed by those that did attend. Unfortunately, few groups organised displays or stands; perhaps, like ourselves, this was due to a lack of time. The displays that were set up gave interesting views of the groups' activities. A lot of people left after the trains stopped and this reduced the opportunities for people to "gather together" and improve links between groups. This did not spoil the evening for those remaining and many a story was told after a few beers!

The freshly-repainted 108 unit performed well for its nine return trips affording many opportunities for travel and photography. Special run pasts on the high level line at Norchard and the availability of lineside passes added to the occasion.

We have to thank the DFDMU Group for taking this significant first step in setting up an event of this nature. They put a lot of hard work into organising the day's activities. The general feeling was that this should become an annual event hosted by a different railway each time. Any volunteers for hosting the Second National DMU Day?

PRESERVATION

STRATHSPEY CLASS 107 51990 Body work receiving attention prior to repainting in green. The worst of the Sandite has been cleaned from the interior. Some floor repairs required and linoleum has been sourced.

EAST LANCS CLASS 110 59701 Window, roof vent and internal ceiling replacement has been concluded. Work continues on de-refurbishing the interior including seats. Painting will commence soon.

PRESSED STEEL HERITAGE LTD Based on the Colne Valley Railway, this group are the owners of 51138, 51151 (116), 51347 (117) and 55033 (121). They have made significant progress with the mechanical overhaul of the cars. Internal restoration of the 117 is now largely complete with external work to restore to lined green livery underway. Work is also in progress in the bubble car. One cab is nearly complete together with the brake van.

DIESEL UNIT PRESERVATION. ASSOCIATES LTD Owning four Class 108 cars at the E. Anglian Railway Museum, this group hopes to operate a Sunday service on the Railtrack-owned Sudbury branch. One of the cars (M50599) is the pioneer of the Class. The mechanical overhaul of 52053 was completed for it to be used in the museum over Easter. A replacement engine should be fitted to 51568 during the summer.

LLANELLI CLASS 116 DMU GROUP One twin unit has moved to the Glos. Warks. Railway on long-term loan. The unit remaining on the Swansea Vale Railway is presently in Red Oxide livery and made its first test run on 30th June with no problems.

WANTED

Seating To provide seating for two Class 107 power cars we are interested in acquiring seating for approx. 120 people in 2 or 3 seat configuration. My Little Sprinter Ltd.

Photographs Class 108 original interiors. D.U.P.A. Ltd.

Circuit Diagrams Set of diagrams for Class 116 DMU. Glos Warks Railway DMU Group.

(Editors Reply: Any drawings for DMUs of all types can be obtained from Railway Documentation & Drawing Services Ltd., Drawing Supply Bureau, Itchen House, Railway Technical Centre, London Road, DERBY DE24 8UP; telephone 01332 263083.)

Gasket Sets Can anybody supply details of stockists/part numbers for AEC engines. Swindon Diesel Preservation Society.

Spares Window glass and window rubbers (all sizes). Small lamp shades/glasses (5'' hemispherical) for main saloon No 1 end. Door fittings mainly inside door handles/opening mechanisms.

Information Full wiring diagram. Painting specification (green). Photographs of Class 122s (55003 especially) from building to present day. Coolant specification (anti-freeze/water mix etc.). W55003 Group.

Interior details We need information and photographs of Class 104 saloon internal decor and seat material patterns (maroon with orange stripes?, as built) throughout their lives, together with B.R.C. & W. works drawings and photographs of vehicles being built. K. Dowd / R. Simpson.

P. A. system For use in a DMU, or any parts to make up. Dean Forest DMU Group.

For Sale

Seats Class 108 seats and Class 116 seat frames. Llanelli Class 116 Group.

Seats Metro-Cammell seat frames may still be available. East Lancs DMU Group.

Spares One BR cat 52/18835 generator and associated Tonum electrical control board (Type S300/T2 serial no. T229518). For sale or exchange. W55003 Group.

Drawings & Photographs I have obtained various works drawings and photos of the Metro-Cammell Class 101 and 111 and Yellow Diamond DMUs of which copies will be available at cost to whoever is interested. K. Dowd.

Aluminium extrusion We require a quantity of 'H-section' aluminium strip used in joining Formica panelling. The minimum order for this is twice the amount we need for all four vehicles. Estimated price is approx. 50p per metre. Any groups that may be in need of such material should contact us for further details as the pattern may be suitable for other cars - costs could be shared. Swindon Diesel Preservation Society.