ISSUE 21 - November 1997

INTRODUCTION

T-shirts - it is proving difficult to sort out the copyright situation. We will hopefully have good news soon.

Saturday 13th December is the deadline for Issue 22 of The Bulletin.

NEWS

Livery Variation - Three Class 101 units have had the area above the orange safety line on the cab fronts repainted black - in line with the roof. 101 693 (51192 + 53266) was first noted on 6th Nov., 101 688 (51500 + 51231) on 12th Nov and 101 691 (53171 + 51253) on the 18th

Another 108 at Ruddington - Class 108 DMCL 50645 has been purchased by the Nottingham (GC) DMU Group from its owner on the Bodmin Railway.

Bournemouth Open Day - Further to previous mentions, Mark Grimes has received an application form for stand space at this event on 16/17th May 1998. It states that stands will be limited, and dealt with on a first come - first served basis. A weekend stand costs £100 and he would like a joint DMU stand, with as many groups as possible particiating. the space is 10ft x 10 ft, suitable for 4 or 5 groups. He needs to know by Christmas if you are interested.

1998 DMU Day - This is provisionally booked for June 27/28th. The Llangollen Group plan a formal meeting on the Saturday evening followed by a slide and film show. On the Sunday the second train will be DMU-worked all day and it is hoped to run different unit on each of the four 15 mile long turns with perhaps a seven-car thrash at some point. The group plan to sell all inclusive tickets for the weekend which will include admission to social events and supper on the Saturday as well as unlimited train travel.
Units in service should be the Class 108, the Class 127/105 hybrid and Bret Rogers Class 121 bubble from Tyseley (subject to availability).

Spares Theft - Spare have been stolen from the Dean Forest Railway. If you are offered items such as vacuum gauges, speedos, etc. please contact the DFDMU Group.

Preservation

Mid Norfolk DMUs - Class 108 DMC 51572 and DTC 54224 are now complete except for one engine. This should be fitted shortly, making the unit available before Christmas. These are owned by Railcar Enterprises, as are Class 122 55006, Class 100 DTC 56301, Class 101 DMC 51503, Class 119 DMBS 51073 and Class 111 TRBS 59575. All are based at East Dereham Station Yard.

East Lancashire DMUs - The 110 took part in the September diesel weekend, the October Thomas event, and some filming for an ITV programme scheduled to be shown in January. It has had some running maintenance done but is otherwise serviceable. Re the 105 (described as a colander!): DTC 56121 was found to be riddled with rush on the lower bodyside. They decided to replace the area below the window level and the front of the cab and the full length of the secondman's side has had the panels cut away. Some uprights are being replaced and most of the others have had to be ground and trimmed. All surfaces have been primed and undercoating is in progress ready for re-paneling.

West Somerset 103 - On DMBS 50413 work has started on fiddly bits in the interior such as handrails and fuel pipe covers. On DTC 56169, apart from two small sections, the first class saloon has been re-panelled in plywood. Ceiling panels have been made up and fitted. In the rear saloon work has started removing the old screw and bolts heads from when the interior was ripped out during decontamination. The interior metal work has been de-rusted and painted in primer and undercoat.

Dean Forest 108s - Congratulations to Chris Bull who has passed his DMU driving examination. Work on DMBS 51914 has revealed that all doors have the same part rotten or damaged. It was thought bets to replace these but a suitable local tradesman could not be found. Chris Lings (MRC) managed to source the correct wood and manufacture replacements.
Previously an on-train catering service operated from the guard's van. It was decide to improve this service by removing a few seats of DTC 56492, replacing them with a buffet counter.

Llangollen DMUs - October was a very busy month for the DMU Group with services being railcar-operated for 23 of the 31 days - covering a total mileage of 1150. 127 DMBS 51618 +105 DTC 56456 are now fully back in traffic and have been used on a number of service days. The Class 104 is out of traffic for a B exam and for DMC 50528 to be reupholstered. Wickam DMBS 50416 has been outshopped at the MRC with original gutters reinstated and with a coat of green paint. this project is now at a standstill while fund-raising continues.

Strathspey DMUs - Floor repairs have been carried out to Class 107 DMC 52030, which will allow the seats to be replaced over the Winter. the operating season has ended with all scheduled services worked by Class 114 DTC 56047 and Class 107 DMBS 52008. 52030 was on standby but not required. The 1998 timetable is expect to be similar to 1997:Saturdays from April to October but with services operated by the Class 107 twin and running into the main Aviemore Station.

For Sale

Video - The Llangollen DMU Group suggest "How To Drive A Heritage DMU" video as an excellent Christmas present (they receive some of the proceeds!). It is available from Voyager films on 01484 841814. Its costs £18.50: credit cards are accepted.

• If you can help any of the following groups with their needs or information, please e-mail us at editor@railcar.co.uk

WANTED

Class 108 Spares - 2 doors, 2 alternators, luggage racks, some light fittings, 1 voltage regulator, 1 radiator, heaters and EP valves. Nottingham (GC) DMU Group.

Class 108 Power Car - an example preferably in working order. Dean Forest DMU Group.

Air System - source required for the bellows and valves assembly for cylinder-mounted compressor unloading valves Class 107 Ltd.

Locking Device - has anyone any ideas on a locking device for the fuel filler caps on DMUs, remembering that the cap itself is threaded? Llanelli & District Railway Society.

QUESTIONS

Colours - Does anyone know what colour the cab detonator and flag tin boxes were painted when DMUs were first delivered? Most DMUs now seem to have a clear plastic ones. Two tin boxes recovered from EMUs seem to been painted light green. Were DMUs originally the same?. Williton Traction Group.

Injector coding - explanation wanted regarding the coloured spot painted on the Leyland 680 injectors. White, yellow & green have been note - what do they mean? Dean Forest DMU Group.

Livery - details required of the original Brunswick green with whiskers livery for 107s. Cleaning down of underframe paintwork has revealed the dark brown paint solebar of DMCL 52031. Can anyone confirm the exact colour and the extent of brown painting of 107 underframes? When was the brown replaced with black? Can anyone provide a definite list of colours for exterior components? Does anyone have dimensions for the driving end whiskers? Class 107 Ltd.

Answers

Engine colours - the only significance in the different paint colours is the overhaul workshop. I believe Derby used pink and Doncaster possibly used green, whereas years ago everything was painted silver. Bitton Diesel Group.

Class 107 Livery - Could the brown paint on the underframe of Class 107 Ltd's 52031 simply date back to the early days of all over blue, when black was displaced, for a short period, as the underframe colour? Bitton Diesel Group