ISSUE 7- September 1996

INTRODUCTION

Circulation of the Monthly Bulletin continues to grow and is now up to 32. This now covers about 27 different groups looking after 103 vehicles.

Cravens power car M51729 - we posed the question last issue about this vehicle's fate. After withdrawal the front third of the car was grounded and used as a paint store in a yard next to Great Yarmouth South Station.

Remember to have your submissions for the next edition ready in time for Saturday 12th October. Running dates and certain other items will be repeated until they become out of date.

NEWS

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 also be on display.

It should be possible to run a 25provements at Swanwick Junction station should be complete by April and will give three through platforms and a branch to base movements around.

Attractions for accompanying families include a farm park, a large country park and a museum. All are free once a ticket to the Railway has been bought.

PRESERVATION

WEST SOMERSET 103

After asbestos removal by a firm with no previous experience of railway work, this unit (owned by the D & EPG) was left as a bare shell. Also, a roof was leaking, windows missing, no floor, damaged cabs and many mechanical components were damaged or missing.

Originally it was estimated that it would take five years to rebuild, but after four years one car is not yet finished but the five-man team have made steady progress. So far both cars have had their remaining damaged interiors removed, metal work repaired and passenger communication equipment replaced. The exterior has been fully repainted for protection in green.

DTC 56169: all roof panels removed and re-riveted, floor fabricated and installed.

DMBS 50413: totally re-roofed, first two floor layers completed, ceiling panels fitted and lights installed. Uncovered side panels fitted in one saloon. Guard's van nearly rebuilt. The mechanics have been tested, repaired / refurbished and the car has moved under its own power.

Running days are still a few years away but the WSR has requested that the unit be in their anniversary celebrations in March 1997.

STRATHSPEY CLASS 107s

51990 has seen further progress on bodywork and roof repairs. It has been rubbed down ready for repainting and expected to be painted by November. Seats for this and 52030 have been obtained from Class 305s. These will be installed, in 51990 only, over the winter.

LLANGOLLEN 105 56456

Now ready following extensive bodywork repairs. The roof and frames have already been spray-painted. Likely to run during the October Diesel Gala, as part of a three-car set, with the 104s.

SOUTH DEVON 122 55000

Roof taken down to bare metal and repainted early this month. This car is to receive a full repaint into Regional Railways livery. Present thinking is that it will go green again for its 50th birthday in 2008! How's that for forward planning? The interior will go back in during the winter. No. 1 engine is to be changed in the next few weeks.

LLANGOLLEN GROUP

DMUs have run more than 2,500 miles so far this year. One diagram calls for 95 miles of running in one day (a preservation record?) and begins at 08:50 with shoppers' trains and ends at 24:00 after the evening "community" services.

There are plans for a stabling point at the new Corwen station when built in about four years. This will hold six two-car sets and feature sunken roads, etc.

The Group is looking for working members, particularly those interested in training for footplate duties. New Traction Trainees are sought to fill vacancies at the bottom of promotion ladder. This group is large by DMU standards and always welcomes newcomers. Anyone interested should contact E. Green-Hughes (address overleaf) or phone the Railway Trust on 01978 869143.

WANTED

Communication Cord - We require some of the Aluminium recesses that are fitted where the chain is open to view. Swindon Diesel Preservation Society.

Lights - Information on possible substitute manufacturer of original circular saloon lights on Class 122s. The original manufacturer was J. Stone (Deptford) Ltd, London. South Devon Railway Diesel Group.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Answers

This 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.

Engine information - From Ritchie Marcus (Shackerstone DMU Group). In the 1980s Scottish Region purchased new Leyland 680 engines. They were type 680/4041 - a non-turbo-charged version of TL11 Pacer engines. Initial output shaft failures were resolved by a design change. They have Friedman & Maier fuel pumps (vice CAV) and various other differences, but are fully interchangeable with earlier 680 versions and can be fitted without modifications. A 680/4041 was fitted to 55005 in 1994.

I do not know which cars these engines were initially fitted to, most I have seen are 101s but some 116/117s received them at Tyseley in the early 1990s. Presumably they entered the general 680 pool, but I would be interested to find out more.

4041s have rocker covers with squarer corners and three "stripes" on them; they also sound different with a slight "tinny" note.