ISSUE 32 - October 1998
INTRODUCTION
The above image is copied from BR posters from the late '50s which advertised new DMU services. We have used this identity in several issues now and on the web site, and opinion in TRA is that we continue using it for letterheads etc. There was a range of similar designs, does anyone have any good copies of similar ones that we can scan?
Two contact lists are enclosed. There are notes with the Regional Co-ordinators list but the Advisor list requires explanation. This contains those volunteering to give advice in their "specialist" areas. Contact advisors directly if assistance is required in these areas. If further help is necessary, or for any other matters, contact your Regional Co-ordinator.
Many thanks to Chris Bull from the Dean Forest Railway for the loan of the book "Diesel Multiple Units: Eastern England" by S.E. Smithson that we appealed for last month. Many thanks also to those that sent us details of the 110 trailers at HA.
We have received a request to print current DMU Working Diagrams. Our contact at Corkerhill may help us there; can any of you help supply the others?
Very few preserved DMUs still have their AEC engines. Do any groups have engines that were bought for spares in case they purchased an AEC-engined vehicle? Some groups are desperately short of complete engines. If any are now surplus to their owners' requirements, please contact The Railcar.
A snippet from a source that shall remain anonymous - "a new word for the Oxford English dictionary - A RAILUROPHOBE someone that loathes, hates & detests railways e.g. most MPs, Dr Beeching, railway widows etc. Originates from ailurophobe someone who hates cats. stick an r and there you have it a railurophobe!"
We are also told that Robert Simpson is losing interest in 104s, ever since he bought that bus...
Saturday 14th November is the deadline for issue 33 of The Bulletin.
"The Railcar Association"
TRA Formation
The Formation Committee report that the response to last month's questionnaire was very positive, there being a clear endorsement of the Committee's proposals for TRA formation (see last month's edition for these in detail). Accordingly, the first actions will be to set up TRA's grapevine by appointing Regional Co-ordinators and to release the first versions of the Subscriber and Contacts Directories. Actions also underway are to establish relationships with Railtrack (a meeting has been arranged at their HQ on Monday 16 November 1998), Railpart and ADtranz Derby (Mervyn Rogers has made contact with both companies and meetings will follow) to let them know what TRA is all about and to begin a dialogue on vehicle and parts disposal.
Visit to Angel
During September Tony Fox, Mike Evans and Chris Marsack met Angel Train Contracts at their headquarters in Victoria. As a result both Angel and TRA now have a clearer understanding of each other's views on the disposal of heritage DMU vehicles. Disappointing news is that the 117, 121 and 101 vehicles currently in service will not automatically be offered for sale when Class 170 and other new rolling stock is delivered. Angel's preference is to re-lease these heritage units when they come off lease. If this cannot be achieved immediately then Angel will store them on secure premises, in serviceable condition. Disposal will occur only when all re-leasing opportunities have been explored.
Good news is that terms of leasing contracts require TOCs to return vehicles in sound condition and suitable for further service, so anything acquired after storage should be in good order. Angel confirmed that they will sell only to accredited asbestos disposal contractors, not directly to the preservation movement. Although agreeing to consider light decontamination work being done 'on-site' to avoid expensive and unnecessary movement of vehicles over long distances, Angel didn't hold out much hope of this, emphasising that adherence to regulations is of paramount importance.
Angel confirmed the supply chain for vehicle parts and ownership at the various stocking points. This is very useful information when we plan for the acquisition of material as it becomes obsolete. Briefly, Angel own everything actually on the vehicles; the TOCs own consumables and 'wear and tear' items in depot stores (buying in from Railpart or other suppliers as necessary); Railpart own repairable items (e.g. brake components, control equipment) and have stock at depots, in Doncaster and at suppliers being refurbished; Sparesco, a company wholly owned by Angel and the other train leasing companies but trading through Railpart, owns major items such as engines, gearboxes and bogies. Finally, ADtranz Derby, Railcare Springburn and other major Works will continue to maintain stocks of various items so long as DMU overhaul work justifies it.
Publicity
Look out for information about TRA in the railway press. Mike Evans has sent out a press release as part of our drive to make the preservation movement and others aware of our existence.
NEWS
NEW DMU BOOK PUBLISHED The new Brian Morrison book, entitled 'British Rail DMUs and Diesel Railcars: Origins & First Generation Stock', should now be available. Published by Ian Allan Ltd., this hardback has 500 illustrations on 256 pages and the RRP is £34.99. It is described as a "definite photographic record charting the history of first-generation DMUs".
MOQUETTE The ELR BUDMUG chaps have had extensive discussions with a manufacturer about producing the green fleur-de-lys pattern at quite reasonable rates. They are expecting to place an order for early next year. At a cost of around £10-12 per metre (rolls come in 100m lengths 60 inches wide) the cost per car would be around £1000). The minimum order is normally 400 metres, so this is an ideal opportunity for groups that require small quantities. A large order would also reduce the cost dramatically, and possibly allow for the production of the blue type for first class. For further details contact Graham Thornton at the ELR on 0161 764 6360 (evenings).
ELECTRICAL OVERHAULS The Llangollen Railcar Group have been in contact with Leyland Auto Electrical & Diesel (Units 220/221, Walton Summit Ind. Est., Bamber Bridge, PRESTON, PR5 8AI Tel. 01772 338583) and the firm claims to be able to recondition anything electrical for DMUs (alternators, starters, heaters, etc.
ELECTRICAL OVERHAULS II Also from the Llangollen is details of a chap who has just set up a bus restoration outfit somewhere in Birmingham but he is quite capable of doing engine rebuilds, starters, alternators and that kind of thing. He only charges for parts needing replacement, rather than a fixed price. Contact Chris Hatton, 2 Lock Keeper's Close, Walsall Road, Norton Canes, Cannock, Staffs, WS11 3UN. Telephone no. 01543 274458.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION The Severn Valley Railway have copies of workshop manuals for R14 gearboxes and RF28 final drives, and also general instructions for the operation of Class 108 units in duplicated form. Some of the hand-drawn circuits do not copy that well, but is good for general information. The small manual shows basic electrical, air, battery and control circuits, quick-release vacuum system and details of components. There is also a chapter on Rolls-Royce-powered cars. Prices for copying and despatch will be notified individually. If interested contact Trevor Daw from the SVR at the address in the contact section.
PRESERVATION
OSWESTRY 104 Work continues on this two-car set (50531 & 50479) despite the inclement weather. Lack of access to covered accommodation when needed, despite prior agreement, has caused the volunteers frustration; wasting both time and materials. No doubt everyone else out there feels the same!!
The replacement engine on 50531 was eventually persuaded to start, and requires the completion of the final drive unit to complete the basic mechanical repairs. Resealing the roof vent blanks has cured the vehicle of its annoying habit of letting in rain. This winter should see the start of re-panelling inside to improve the décor.
50479 is undergoing painting at present, hampered by rain and steam operating days. Hopefully the unit will appear in the 'white stripe' style sometime around Christmas. Despite not being fully operational or restored, the unit has run some 30 miles filling in for non-available kettles on the 400 yard demo line, as well as acting as yard shunter on numerous other occasions when the resident diesels refused to start.
DEAN FOREST 108 The group had a special 40th birthday celebration for DMBS 50619, with a special service and a power car-shaped birthday cake. The running season went well with only the occasional minor problem. The on-board buffet is proving to be popular.
WEST SOMERSET CLASS 103 The original interior guard's compartment door from DMBS 50413 has been rescued after spending several years in a hedge. It is thought that one of the contractors removing the asbestos had their eye on it. After a couple of weeks of drying out, paint stripper has been applied, revealing the previous coats of paint. Working backwards, WSR grey, BR corporate blue, BR grey, BR light green and finally Park Royal light grey. All the door fittings have been removed for refurbishment.
Work continues in the lavatory of DTC 56169. The toilet compartment framing is taking shape. A toilet flush tank has been obtained from a redundant mark 1 coach but still required is a single roof header tank. Electrical wiring in the cab has been tested and a fault to the jumper cabling repaired.
LLANELLI SETS The line had a successful running season with its Class 116 two-car set on the Swansea Vale. Unfortunately the group visited the line on the 10th Oct they found the set had been vandalised. They require to replace some parts that they didn't have in stock, as detailed in the Wanted section. Its next runs will be Santa trains in December. The 108 that was up for sale will now be kept: the DMBS restored and the DTC cannibalised. The Class 122 is getting attention to leaking gutters and also to the body. The interior has been stripped to fit new window surrounds.
ESSEX RLY TRACTION GROUP
The owners of Class 103 50397/56160 and Class 100 56317 have formed the "ERTG". They are interested in most vehicles that have worked in Essex, mainly live rail electrics and DMUs, but definitely not 25 kV stock. They also own car 22624, a London Underground District Line R38 Surface Stock Driving Motor Car, and CP class Driving Motor Car 24256, and are pursuing Class 100 DTC 56106 (DB977161) at Crewe. The group is assessing three sites to base its operations, and has been offered Class 104 50556 on long term loan, London Underground Cravens 1960 stock Driving Motor Car 3908 (once part of the Epping - Ongar branch "little red trains") and 1938 tube stock trailer car 4929. Further details can be obtained from Mick Northfield, 47 Lingfield Drive, Rochford, ESSEX SS4 1DZ Tel. 01702 545034.
WANTED
Parts - required for the Derby Lightweight restoration: 2 radiators (including fan and propshafts), 2 auto feed valves, dynamo for trailer car (bogie-mounted), pulley (multi V belt split type) and voltage regulator for the above, complete set of brake rigging for one axle of leading trailer car bogie, 8 primary and some secondary springs for the trailer, power car bogie, trailer bogie, and a fabricated steel type battery box. DLPG.
Class 108 spares - seat squabs upholstered in purple material, either with red fleck (used by WR) or orange/yellow fleck (preferred); one whole long section of luggage rack for middle saloon of composite car, with brackets; 2 alternators. Nottingham (GC) DMU Group.
Formica - any spare pieces of a blue laminate that was used in some first-class saloons. Pattern is a light blue and white linen effect, believed to be called 'Blue Linen'. Nottingham (GC) DMU Group.
Final drive steel dog - suitable for Class 122 55006. Railcar Enterprises.
Gearbox parts - top gear friction plates for an SE4 box (to be used in 'Taurus' ex-Otis Euro Transrail loco at Ordsall Lane in Manchester). Anglesey Traction Group c/o Antony Marsden, Press & Public Relations Officer, Anglesey Traction Group, 72 Pear Tree Court, Salford, M6 5AX
Information - were the Class 122s 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.
Spares - EP valves and the brass retaining brackets into the dynamo control box. To replace parts stolen from Class 116. Llanelli DMU Group.
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.
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.
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
Service manuals - (For sale or exchange) photocopies of the service manuals for Messrs. Self Changing Gears Ltd gearboxes of types R14 and SE4. In colour where appropriate, including photos of the various bits under assembly. Oswestry DMU Group.
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.
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.
QUESTIONS
55009 - does anyone have any details of this vehicle's movements or working locations after Laira in 1991? Mike Boakes.