ISSUE 6 - August 1996

INTRODUCTION

The 101 Appeal's rail tour to Stranraer has been cancelled, mainly due to lack of bookings. A combination of the location (Scotland), an early Sunday start and conflicting events put paid to what would have been another good DMU event/gathering.

Circulation of the Monthly Bulletin is now up to 29. This covers about 25 different groups and is quite encouraging.

Looking back through some old railway magazines we discovered that an interesting fate befell Cravens power car M51729ne of the Rolls-Royce batch. Who can tell us more about this?

Remember to have your submissions for the next edition ready in time for Saturday 14th September. Running dates and certain other items will be repeated until they become out of date

NEWS

N. D. R. M. The Museum's application for National Lottery Heritage funding is being prepared with the support of several organisations and individuals. Accountants are preparing a professional business plan; a firm of well-known quantity surveyors is producing detailed site costings for the whole site free of charge; site plans are being made using 3-D computer graphics. Breckland Council (via their Funding Officer) are supportive, as are the East Anglian Tourist Board. It is also hoped that matching "partnership" funding can be obtained from Rural Development and 5B Development money.

2nd NATIONAL DMU DAY This event looks likely to take place at the Midland Railway Centre, some time in August next year. The resident 127 and 114 will both be in traffic. The Wickham unit should be on display also.

Negotiations are taking place with another group with the aim of bringing in a bubble car. Any groups interested in bringing vehicles (at their own cost) can be accommodated as it should be possible to run 3 or 4 units at one time. Further details next month.

PRESERVATION

STRATHSPEY CLASS 107 TWIN Work has concentrated on 51990 with some welding done to body panels and preparations made for repainting into green. Some mechanical repairs also done.

N.D.R.M. Class 119 51073 has been subjected to a thorough cleaning inside; with all rubbish cleared out some useful bits were found. All glass is missing so the window openings have been covered by polythene sheeting while new glass is sourced. Class 100 56301 has also been tidied up inside. Bubble car 55006 should be entering service in the autumn; whilst 55009 is receiving attention inside and out. Some new panelling has been fitted to the main saloon and the roof has been stripped ready for a repaint. Siding space is being organised for the collection. A short siding for working vehicles and a longer one for the "long-term" projects.

ICKNIELD CLASS 122 55003 It was started up, on both engines, on 22nd July and moved under its own power for the first time in preservation. The car is currently confined to a siding but was then due to be coupled to a 117 power car for test running out the main branch line. The throttle motors need attention but the main work this summer is to make the gutters and windows watertight.

MIDLAND RAILWAY 127 59609 This has had its gangway ends removed and plated over to bring the car back to as-built condition. The roof has been repaired and painted and the exterior is being prepared for its repaint. Internally, refurbishment of the main saloon is reasonably complete and awaits new linoleum.

BO'NESS CLASS 126 Air tanks have been removed, insurance tested and refitted. One, per car, had to be removed by creating a new floor hatch. Repainting of the power cars has commenced. Will this be the only DMU currently in Rail Blue?

WANTED

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

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

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

Brake bands Does anyone have any spare gearbox brake bands for a Class 114? Any bands from a gearbox fitted to a Leyland Albion-engined unit would do. Midland Railway Railcar Group.

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 Photographs of Class 122s (55003 especially) from building to present day. W55003 Group.

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

Engine information A number of Met-Cam cars have had their Leyland 680 engines replaced with TL11s from Pacers. Were any modifications made to accommodate them? What vehicles are involved? Iain Munro (K & WVR), Flat 11, The Grange, Ferrybridge Road, Knottingley, WEST YORKS WF11 8JE.

For Sale

Destination blinds These can be made by Norbury & Co. Ltd., Denbigh (phone 01745 813020 / 815453). Also, we would like to order two-character headcode blinds (A to D and 1 to 9) from Norbury and have been quoted the following prices for bulk orders: 6 blinds @ ±35 each; 12 @ ±20.40 each. VAT and carriage to be added. If any other groups are interested let us know. Dean Forest DMU Group.

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.

Prints A3-sized colour prints of a painting of Class 108 vehicles E50599 and M56491 are available at £10 each. D.U.P.A. Ltd.

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.

Answers

This occasional column will feature replies to questions posed in earlier issues.

Coolant BR uses ethylene glycol (cat. no. 7/29204) mix: one part antifreeze to three parts water.

Drawings/diagrams 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.