ISSUE 9 - NOVEMBER 1996

INTRODUCTION

A few bits of good news this month with further vehicles assured of a secure future. The most significant of these being the rescuing of the W.S.R. Cravens 105 by the East Lancs. This is another of the rare DMUs requiring a complete asbestos strip and its restoration is not for the faint hearted. We wish you luck!

The quarterly Journal announced as being published "in the autumn" in Issue 5 is now planned to appear early next year. It was realised that the original proposal would not be viable. Also, the N.D.R.M. were planning a similar newsletter. The two schemes have been combined and The Railcar Journal will now appear under the Museum's banner. Rather than burst onto the scene as an expensive glossy magazine, the idea is to start at the lower end and build up, through time, to something like that first envisaged. The Railcar will still cover all that is happening in DMU preservation and, having more than two pages, will allow more detailed articles to be used. So, can you all start scribbling to provide a supply of material for Issue 1, please!

Saturday 14th December is the deadline for Issue 10 of The Bulletin.

NEWS

ANOTHER BUBBLE CAR SAVED

News from Llanelli is of the purchase of Class 121 W55026. Latterly 977824, in use as a Sandite unit for Railtrack. It was moved from Tyseley to Upper Bank works, Swansea Vale Railway on 15th October. Restoration will start immediately and anyone interested should contact W. Des Thomas.

N.D.R.M.

Progress has been made with DMU accommodation on the Mid-Norfolk Railway. One siding, long enough to hold four vehicles, is ready for use with another awaiting inspection. This will allow the first vehicles in the collection, currently spread far and wide, to be brought to the Railway. Two of these will be Class 108s 51572 and 54224, recently acquired from the East Kent Railway Museum.

101 APPEAL RAILTOUR

Following the problems with the aborted tour in the summer, there is, understandably, a reluctance to attempt a future tour. However, organiser Mark Grimes would like all interested in a tour around old haunts and unusual track in N.W. England to write to him, pledging support for this venture. Those responding would receive booking forms before an advert in the railway press brings wider publicity. Due to RRNW unit availability, the tour should be in April, May, September or October. Money raised from this will go towards the purchase of green 101 685. As DMU events like this are few and far between, please contact Mark with your views.

PRESERVATION

N.D.R.M. 122 55006

After arrival from MC Metals with no major parts missing, this car required only minor attention before doing three runs between Yaxham and Dereham on one engine. Other engine yet to be assessed. Repainting into green has begun. Inside, both cabs have been refurbished and work has started on ceiling panelling.

N.D.R.M. 119 51073

A source has been found for an R14 gearbox, a good set of batteries and possibly cab gauges. Most of the missing parts have now been located.

WEST SOMERSET 103 50413

Wall panels are now being fitted in the saloon next to the cab. The next job will be to replace communication chain, valves, fittings and panels lost after asbestos removal.

BO'NESS 126 51043

Rewiring work has brought both saloon heaters back into service. Three new interior partitions have been built to replace those destroyed. No. 1 engine has been removed for attention.

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 & Information - Pictures and allocation details re Bubble Car W55006. Mike Evans.

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.

Gearboxes - We would like to trace a source of SE4 gearboxes. East Lancs DMU Group.

Gearbox - We require an R14 type gearbox. Northampton & Lamport Railway 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.

Glass - all unused. For sale/exchange.

BR Cat. No. Qty. Size (mm)

018/070292 1 5x256x314

143322 1 5x327x330

147030 11 5x320x400

9-147110 1 5x332x340

9-147105 1 5x332x346

9-9-31631 4 5x547x397

18-70281 2 5x545x395

1470072 1 5x624x630

9-148042 1 5x298x340

9-148042 3 5x715x596

152777 4 5x1028x754

151965 1 10x1024x850

W55003 Group.

Brake cylinders - A supplier for consumables is Railway Wheelset & Brake of 280 Bawtry Road, Wickersley, ROTHERHAM. Tel. 01709 542907. They stock rolling rings, sealing rings, neck rings, release valve diaphragms, piston rods, cylinder neck bushes and canvas rod covers. They can also supply vacuum pipes and hose rubbers. Contact: Mike Hart. Information from Llangollen DMU Group.

Questions

When replying, we would prefer that you do so through The Bulletin rather than directly. That way, the information will reach any other interested parties.

How do we find out what type of 150h.p. AEC engine we have? They must have a series number. Also, does anyone know the type, code number and supplier of the oil filters? Williton Traction Group (103).

Answers

We would support the idea of a Bubble Car Convention in May / June 2008. Plenty of time for us all to save up for transport costs! Any ideas as to where should it be held? South Devon Railway Diesel Group.

(Editors: Are any of the other Bubble Car owners willing to consider this when the time comes?).

To W55003 Group: Re roof painting. A bare metal repaint seems to be the only realistic option in the long term. Our experience is that when sound-looking paint is scraped off, the galvanised surface is often damaged.

Scrape off all paint paying particular attention to the welds, rubbing down as you go, covering rust and scratches with Finnegan's No. 1 to keep out overnight moisture.

Pay special attention to the mastic-type seal between the aluminium guttering and the bodyside. Make sure you dress the mastic before priming. Ensure that any mastic squeezed out by tightening of the guttering bolts is not clogging the gutter channel. We have drilled this in numerous places along its length to aid drainage.

The priming coat is Micaceous Iron Oxide and then we used a dark grey undercoat with Executive Dark Grey on top. All are available from Williamson's of Ripon. Each coat used approx. five litres per roof. We only used about one litre of Finnegan's for spot patching.