ISSUE 31 - September 1998
INTRODUCTION
We hope to print the contact list next month, which also includes people's specialist skills / knowledge. If anyone has not returned their form and wants to be included, please do so.
Included with this issue is a copy of a document detailing bolts to be used for gearbox suspension. Many thanks to Chris Bull for this. It is also interesting in that it shows which gearboxes were fitted to different vehicles. If anyone has similar documents they would like to share they would be much appreciated by other TRA members. Also, can anyone shed any light on D173 gearboxes?
Saturday 17th October is the deadline for issue 32 of The Bulletin.
"The Railcar Association"
At the third Annual Convention in Llangollen a committee was created to review the formation of a national organisation for DMU preservation groups. Following many weeks of informal discussions, the Formation Committee had its first formal meeting at the NRM in York on 5th September.
The Committee's recommendations are listed below. In summary, an organisation is proposed which first and foremost provides a mechanism to improve communication and co-operation among groups. Where appropriate, actions would be taken on behalf of all groups at a 'national' level.
Recommendations:
1. Name to be "The Railcar Association", abbreviation "TRA".
2. Mission statement: "to promote co-operation among railcar owners in the UK and to further their mutual interest...".
3. Scope will include DEMU, EMU, BEMU and Railbus as well as DMU owners.
4. The TRA will have no assets and few operating expenses. Accordingly no direct subscription will be payable to TRA, membership being achieved only through subscription to the Railcar Monthly Bulletin.
5. Railcar is to be the main method of communication among groups in TRA.
6. TRA's committee structure is to be minimal and functionally based. Because TRA must have a national contact point for external communications, a Chairman and possibly Secretary will be required. Other TRA officers will be: Technical Co-ordinator, Sourcing and Procurement Co-ordinator, Railcar Editor and 5 or 6 Regional Co-ordinators. Each of the latter will be responsible for ad hoc communication (i.e. to complement Railcar) with preservation groups in a specific area of the country. The Regional Co-ordinators will be proactive in raising nationally any local issues which have relevance to all groups.
7. Meetings: the annual DMU Convention will be TRA's 'AGM' at which policy decisions and annual objectives will be set. Officers and Co-ordinators will meet at quarterly intervals between conventions to chart progress and deal with any issues requiring attention.
8. Communication will be at three levels: Directories (contacts, skills, technical information, etc., distributed to all groups, regularly updated by appropriate Co-ordinators and aimed at satisfying most needs for information and assistance), Railcar Monthly Bulletin (for news items and specific requirements not satisfied by the Directories) and the Co-ordinators (for urgent communication to and from groups).
No decisions were taken at the York meeting on the mechanics of setting up TRA and the appointment (election?) of officers and co-ordinators. The obvious way for this to be done would be at the annual convention, but an alternative process will have to be adopted for the creation of TRA. The Formation Committee will be turning its attention to this topic as a matter of urgency.
For the time being members of the Formation Committee are covering any issues which arise. For example, action is already underway to establish contact with Angel Train Contracts, Railtrack and Railpart to discuss availability to the preservation movement of redundant vehicles and spares.
At this critical stage, the Formation Committee would appreciate comments on its recommendations. All railcar preservation groups are requested to complete the enclosed questionnaire and return it to Tony Fox at the address shown. They should indicate acceptance or otherwise of each recommendation and of course add comments where desired.
4th NATIONAL DMU CONVENTION
A date has been agreed with the West Somerset Railway for next year's convention. As we get nearer the time more details will be available. A draft notice for the event follows:
WSR, in conjunction with The Railcar Association and the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group
September 25 & 26th 1999
With a total possible DMU mileage over the weekend of over 200 miles.
Agenda:-
Saturday 25th
Class 115/117 Diesel Multiple Unit train operating in three- and four-car formations.
Model railway operating, featuring DMUs in the Bishop Lydeard (BL) Station Visitor Centre.
13.00 The Railcar Association, Area representatives meeting in the BL station Visitor Centre meeting room.
14.00 Formal meeting in the BL station Visitor Centre meeting room.
15.30 Slide show including the WSR DMU fleet through the years (all interesting DMU slides especially welcome).
Tea, coffee, pies and sandwiches available in the station shop.
18.00 Class 103 Park Royal DMU trip to Washford with a visit to Williton Depot.
19.30 Inter-DMU group skittles match at the Washford Inn
22.30 Return from Washford to Bishops Lydeard
Sunday 26th
DMUs will be operating service trains in two-, four-, six- and eight-car formations featuring class 103/117/115 including a trip on the not normally used section to Norton Fitzwarren.
NEWS
DRAWINGS RDDS have now decided not to clear out their old drawings, considering it cheaper to pay the high storage costs rather than determining which of the many thousands are obsolete. Many drawings are reused in other vehicles, further complicating matters. However an agreement has been reached that will allow railways with charitable status to purchase drawings at a more reasonable cost of approx £20 each. More details next month.
NEW BID FOR 100 56301 Mark Armstrong, who set up the First Generation DMU Group to save the final Class 118 when it was in peril, would like to gauge interest in buying this DTS from Railcar Enterprises. Anyone interested in joining him in this venture, please contact him.
NORTH STAFFS DIESEL GALA Contrary to reports in the railway press the Class 104 set will not be operating at this event.
101 CHANGES HANDS DMC 51503 has been sold to Matthew Smith by Railcar Enterprises. It will join original partner 51434 at the Swindon & Cricklade Railway.
PRESERVATION
BO'NESS 126 Five years after the set last carried passengers, the two power cars returned to traffic for the line's Diesel Gala on 5th/6th Sep., with one trip each evening. Even though the Formica panelling is not yet fitted, the seats were put back into the DMBS only (the DMS is still untouched after asbestos removal). Every one of the 52 seats were filled on the Saturday and many favourable comments were received. Internal work will now commence on the TCK 59404.
WEST SOMERSET 103 The angle-iron required to construct the toilet compartment on DTC 56169 has been delivered. Work has started making up the angle-iron structure to support the water tank and walls. A small team is continuing modifying and painting the ex- class 101 second-class seat frames into maroon.
The notes that appeared in RAIL come from an unofficial source, quoting that the unit will be painted into Rail Blue over the winter. If they can get into the paint shed next month the plan is to repaint the trailer car into its original all-over green!
RAILCAR ENTERPRISES Asbestos has now been removed from Class 111 Buffet 59575.
A decision has been made to retain Class 119 DMBC 51073. It will be restored at East Dereham. Two engines have been obtained from MC Metals.
WANTED
Information - were the Class 122's fitted when new with chrome plated or plain brass passenger door handles. Our ones on 55009 are chrome plated although this was done during their working life. Mike Boakes.
DMU power car - to cannibalise, preferably a Class 108, must have final drives. Railcar Enterprises.
Headcode mechanism - four- digit mechanism suitable for a Class 108. Gwent 108 Group.
Book - does anyone have a copy of a book "Diesel Multiple Units: Eastern England" by S.E. Smithson, published by Becknell Books in 1981? It is mentioned in the Golding book bibliography and we would like to borrow a copy. Editors.
Control box - fire circuit control box, suitable for a Class 108 No. 2 engine. NRM DMU Volunteer Group.
Corridor connection - 1 short BS DMU corridor connection in operational condition. Williton Traction Group.
Linoleum - about 25 feet of good condition plain (rail?) blue linoleum. Williton Traction Group.
Information - on WR DMU set numbers pre-79 for historic articles on Class 116/120s. Mac Winfield, c/o Dean Forest Railway.
Spares - door handles and a destination box indicator suitable for Class 118 51321. Shackerstone DMU Group.
EXCHANGE
Light Fittings - 20 circular light fittings, as fitted to DMUs including Class 108s, unfortunately only two glass light shades. 15 ceramic Eddison (screw fitting) bulb holders, ex-EMU or possibly DMU. Williton Traction Group (103).
Luggage racks - we have two 11' 6" lengths of aluminium luggage racking that doesn't fit our 107. We would like to swap this for two lengths of racking 3" wider that has nine of the square-section intermediate support bars instead of seven. Class 107 Ltd.
Luggage racks - 2 Class 101 racks (square aluminium tubing). Williton Traction Group.
FOR SALE
Fabric - we have two rolls of BR Spec "LIONELL FR3" in Arabian Blue. The rolls are 137cm wide and approx. 18-19m long. This material was once used on internal walls / buffet bits and also on the top 1/3 of seat backs (moquette on lower 2/3). It is a smooth fabric, slightly stretchable to ease covering seats, arm rests etc. and fire retarding to DOE spec. Offers please. Dean Forest DMU Group.
Alternator parts - A supplier for alternator parts is Leyland Auto Electrical & Diesel of Meadow Works, Cocker Road, Walton Summit Industrial Estate, Bamber Bridge, PRESTON, PR5 8AL. Tel 01772 695000 Fax 01772 626015. The Llangollen Group has just purchased a pair of brushes for ±17.39 + P&P for their AC8 alternator.
Class 108 - DMBS 50982 and DMC 52061. Offers invited (phone after 7 p.m.). Llanelli 116 Group.
DMU lettering - we now produce a range of self-adhesive lettering targeted at DMUs, locos and coaches. Initially the range will be built to specification with an emphasis on the Rail Blue era, with numbers, data panels and double arrows, etc. As all orders are built to individual spec., the number sets come as one panel with no lining up of individual characters required. The company can also supply all types of sign, banner and graphics, including car stickers.
For a quote or for more information, contact Alan Deans on 01292 671767 (FAX 671867) or write to P.S. Business Promotions, Ladykirk House, Shawfarm Industrial Estate, Skye Road, PRESTWICK KA9 2TA.
Vacuum oil/air separators - two, suitable for Class 115. Phone after 7p.m. Railcar Enterprises.
Single seat cushions - in BR blue/green moquette, 20" x 19" x 5". ±5 each, to be collected from Preston or delivered. Class 107 Ltd.
Engine spares - parts available for Leyland TL11 engines. Please contact ASAP. Class 107 Ltd.
QUESTIONS
55009 - does anyone have any details of this vehicle's movements or working locations after Laira in 1991? Mike Boakes.
110 trailers - can anyone confirm whether or not some centre cars moved to Haymarket in their "dying days". It is believed that they were not actually used in service. John Miller c/o Swindon Diesel Preservation Society.
NEXT ISSUE : 21st October 1998