Issue Number Twenty-five March 18th, 1998

INTRO

The Web site has received some positive feedback. It can be viewed at www.poohsticks.demon.co.uk.

We are in need of photographs to use for it. If you would like any of your pics available for the world to see, please send them to us. They will be returned after they are scanned. Although we are restricted in the amount of photographs we can show, it will allow us to rotate them.

PRESERVATION

EAST LANCS

The Class 105 DTC 56121 has had the front below the windows completely replaced. The whole of the front was ground and wire-brushed back to the bare metal and a coat of green primer applied. The stanchions have all been repaired, replaced or otherwise made good along the secondman's side. These have also been primed and bitumen applied. Inside, the communication chain has been returned to its mountings and the panels in front replaced. The ceiling, apart from the toilet cubicle, has been insulated down to the level of the communication chain. The first class saloon and front vestibule have had new ceiling panels fitted complete with cleaned original light fittings. The four marker lights are in the process of being fitted and wired.

No work has been done to the Wickham as parts are required.

LAKESIDE 110

Set still going strong, annual mileage approximately 200. Only problem recently has been water in the heater solebar connection box. This year it will be used mainly for charters, as it does not have enough seats to operate service trains.

LLANGOLLEN DMU GROUP

The Class 127's no. 2 engine threw a rod a few weeks back, thought to be due to overheating. It had to be rescued by the 03 (a bit of rare haulage for the Thomas weekend!) The engine now has two large holes in it, and a banana-shaped conrod! A spare engine has been located at the Great Central, but hasn't been run for around 15 years, so it is to be stripped and examined. It is not known whether the engine change will be done to allow it to operate in the April diesel gala. Class 104 DMC 50528 has had some new woodwork and upholstery fitted in the 1st class section. The 108 now has a working pie warmer!

EAST ANGLIAN 108 50599

In Jan. '97 Diesel Unit Preservation Associates Ltd. moved this pioneer 108 vehicle into the East Anglian Railway Museum's restoration shed for "defurbishment" back to its near-1958 condition. It will be returned to the lined mid-green livery with bogies and underframes painted to replicate Derby works photos.

The sanding and repair of the bodywork revealed some odd features. The upper cream lining around the cab front was applied as per those on Class 114 vehicles, following the window line instead of sweeping downwards in an S shape. The car was painted in three different shades of green before receiving Rail Blue. The first was fairly light, followed by a very dark green and finally a mid shade of green. The exhaust system seems to have been the original style of the early Derby Lightweights, it is planned to replicate this.

The solebar, bufferbeam and ancillary equipment has been cleaned and primed which revealed the original colour of the solebar as that of the bodywork. The bogies have been needle gunned and primed and the brakegear refurbished.

The original-style two-character headcode box is being redesigned and built, the trial fitting really setting off the front end look of the vehicle.

The interior has had the 1970s strip lights removed and replaced with original pattern tungsten lights, these were recovered from scrap EMU vehicles. The saloon immediately looked better with this change of lighting. Orange and blue Formica is being replaced with original green panels recovered from one of the group's other vehicles, or by new material. Door panels will be replaced with wood effect Formica. One other odd feature on this vehicle is that the partition door between the front and middle saloon is an early Derby Lightweight pattern with aluminium trim instead of the standard door with varnished wood trim as fitted to all later Class 108 vehicles.

It is hoped to finish the external restoration in time for the vehicle's fortieth anniversary in July 1998; it is planned to use it during the Museum's Diesel Day on the 19th July.

WANTED

Drawings / photos - we plan to replicate the original style of exhaust system on pioneer Class 108 E50599. We would appreciate any drawings, photographs, etc. to assist in this matter. Diesel Preservation Associates Limited.

Lamp bezels - these are required for fitting the centre and roof headlights to our Class 105. It is the angled part that attaches the lamp onto the cab. East Lancs DMU Group.

Buffer overhauls - details & telephone number required for a company that will do this work. Dean Forest DMU Group

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.

Headcode Numbers - we would like to borrow a roll of these numbers from a four-aspect headcode, so we can get copies done for Class 108 DMBS 51914 (two aspect ones are different). Dean Forest DMU Group.

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

Spares and information - suitable for Class 117/108. One type R14 gearbox and replacement batteries. Also details of the paint spec. for green livery, engine / transmission manuals, and drawings and electrical schematics. Northampton & Lamport Railway DMU Group.

QUESTIONS

Ozonair Filters - does anyone know of a source for these? They are a metal grille filter used on the heater air intakes on some DMUs. Swindon Diesel Pres. Society.

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 clear plastic ones. Two tin boxes recovered from EMUs seem to have been painted light green. Were DMUs originally the same? Williton Traction Group.

FOR SALE

Springs - We have four new DMU springs, but not sure which class they come from (they are different from our 108 ones). Could anyone help us identify them, or would anyone like to buy them? BR CAT No 14/32045. They have 8 4" wide 1/2" thick leaves. (2 at 60", 1 at 50", 42", 34", 26", 18" and 10"). The centre section which wraps around the leaves is 5" x 3". Dean Forest DMU Group.