ISSUE 33 - November 1998
INTRODUCTION
We recently acquired a book of DMU diagrams (showing the plans of the seating layouts etc., not workings!). The book, depending on its accuracy, shows up many mistakes in other publications. It also sheds a lot of light on many vehicles, as well as creating many new questions!
Does anyone else have a copy of this? The nature of the book dictated that it be updated regularly with pages inserted or removed as need be, so any copies left any existence are liable to be different. Ours has diagrams 519, 575, 576 and 578 missing. The only noticeably missing vehicles are Sc51781 - 7 (Class 120 DMBC) and their subsequent conversions which would cover two diagrams. If anyone can help fill in the gaps please contact us.
Apologies to Trevor R. Daw for not including his contact details last month for those interested in copies of workshop manuals. The group's address is now in the contact section. The D.M.U. Group (WM) have their Class 108 operating on the Severn Valley Railway.
Saturday 12th December is the deadline for issue 34 of The Railcar.
"The Railcar Association"
4th National DMU Convention
The West Somerset Railway have slipped the date back by one week to 2nd and 3rd October 1999. This is to enable the WSR Diesel Gala to take place a week before the convention, so that diesel fans can make a week of it! Robert Pugh apologies to all TRA members for the change, and hopes they will not mind too much, especially as it gives the opportunity for a TRA DMU photographic special on Friday 1st October.
Meeting with Railtrack
Mervyn Rogers and Mike Evans had a very positive meeting on 16th November at Railtrack HQ, Euston. Top of the agenda was of course Railtrack's plans for disposal of Heritage DMUs, other vehicles and surplus parts when the Sandite and Route Learner units are replaced by new Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPVs) during 1999 and 2000. Information gained and agreements reached were:
1. Railtrack believe that coordination of disposals via TRA will be of benefit to them.
2. They are keen to see vehicles go to the preservation movement, either for operation or cannibalisation.
3. They will provide TRA immediately with a definitive list, for publication in this bulletin, of all vehicles owned, their location and disposal potential, and will update Mervyn monthly with any changes.
4. The first MPV is doing well in trials and production vehicles will arrive throughout 1999. There is therefore potential for DMU withdrawals before the next Sandite season, i.e. about mid-1999.
ADtranz and Railpart
It has been established that parts stored on ADtranz premises actually belong to Railpart. Attention is now focused on a meeting with Railpart as soon as possible to review the supply cycle and stocking policy for all DMU/EMU parts and explore the options for disposal.
REGIONAL CO-ORDINATORS - YOUR RESOURCE
A reminder to Groups to confirm contact information with your Regional Co-ordinator as per the list in the October Bulletin. This will ease your Co-ordinator's workload and make sure that he knows the right person to telephone when urgent news has to be passed around. You don't want to miss out on any golden opportunities, do you?
NEWS
T. NORBURY & SONS Unfortunately this firm based in Denbigh, North Wales went into voluntary liquidation at the end of the summer. They have produced blinds for railway and bus operators for some 70 years but the modern 'dot matrix' destinations have removed the business.
The order for blinds placed through the Dean Forest DMU Group did not get completed, although they are in discussions with the original Mr. Norbury who made the DMU blinds the first time around. They are hoping for a buyer to take over the firm (Mac Winfield? - Eds), and will let Chris & the lads know the outcome this month. All would not be lost though as there is another blind manufacturer still working that can be approached.
FIRST GENERATION DMU GROUP This group has been talking to the EM2 group who had planned to cut up one of the two Drewry railcars. They have agreed to sell it to the FGDG pending their inspection. It is in a really bad way, but it is one of only two, so the group are keen to save it. They would like to hear from anyone interested in helping with this project. A home has been found already, and they have set up an Drewry appeal fund. Could anyone interested contact them?
The group now has a web site, www.fgdg.freeserve.co.uk, where further details can be found.
ESSEX RLY TRACTION GROUP The group isn't having much success in pursuing Class 100 DTC 56106. Replies to initial enquiries stated that the vehicle does not exist, and the latest reply is that "yes the car does exist, but is not for sale as it is still in service"!
116 ON THE MOVE Pressed Steel Heritage's Class 116 Nos. 51151 and 51138 returned to the Colne Valley Railway on the 7th November.
LIFE AFTER SILVERLINK? The Winter 1998 edition of the Weardale Railway Society magazine "Between The Lines" carries the news that the line (still in existence) between Bishop Auckland and Eastgate is soon to be purchased from Railtrack "at a much reduced price". Negotiations are under way with Northern Spirit to operate a service along the twenty mile route. And the rolling stock? Class 117s, to be hired from Angel Train Contracts "at a good price". At least they'll be on a preserved railway…
NEW DMU BOOK - AN UPDATE News from Ian Allan Publishing is that Brian Morrison's book 'British Rail DMUs and Diesel Railcars - Origins & First Generation Stock' is due for publication w/e 20th November 1998. But Ian Allan warn that in common with other books released at the same time it will NOT be available from the major retailers before Christmas. Stock should be in Ian Allan's own shops in Waterloo and Birmingham almost immediately, however.
The book is available by mail order direct from Ian Allan. Rapid delivery is promised. No discounts are available, but P & P are free. Cost is therefore £34.99; payment by cheque or Mastercard/Visa. Orders by post or fax only, not by telephone, to:
Marketing Department (ref. TRA), Ian Allan Publishing Ltd., Riverdene Business Park, Molesey Road, Hersham, SURREY KT12 4RG, Fax: 01932 266633
If any group can get together an order for a minimum of five books, these can be purchased via the Swindon Diesel Preservation Society for £29.99 inc. P & P, sent to one address direct from the publishers. Send cheques made payable to the Society to Stuart Mackay at the editorial address.
PRESERVATION
NORTHAMPTON 122 55003 This vehicle is still mechanically operational, having run satisfactorily on both days of the NLR's Diesel Gala on October 10th & 11th. Externally all welding, filling and rubbing down has been completed and the unit is now in green undercoat. Internally the main saloon has now been completely repanelled, retrimmed and seats refitted. The trimming will need to be refitted if draught excluders are fitted to the doors. The small saloon has all but a double pair of twin seats fitted. The panelling is complete except for one window panel which still remains to be completed after replacement of the external sheeting. All saloon doors require new panels and internal repainting. The guards van has been completely repanelled except for the area around the guard's seat. It still requires retrimming and repainting. The no.2 cab is more or less finished with the exception of panelling and repainting the doors. No. 1 cab has still to be finished but is fully functional.
WEST SOMERSET 103 The Williton "Mega-shunt" is due now, and if things go well it will place the trailer car in the paint shop for roof repairs and external body work repaint ("we will have to ask Rail the livery, as they seem to know more about it than us"). Approximately four steam locomotives and their boilers, two 115 DMU cars, two diesel locomotives and one slave unit, three coaches and 12 wagons spread over four sidings, have to be moved to get it into the shed! If this happens it will be followed up with a work week with lots of progress.
The first class seats frames from DTC 56169 are now completely refurbished. The small gang of seat restorers have started stripping down the second-class seats ready for modification and painting. The four first-class saloon lights have been refurbished and fitted but await testing.
It's five years since the roof was last sealed. Minor roof leaks have started due to the expansion and contraction of the aluminium roof sheets. This time they are going to try a roof sealing membrane called Temalac HRA 150 made by Kemra Coatings. A report on its success will follow in five years time!
They wish to thank the SVR DMU team for replying to their advert/ plea for blue linoleum and after measuring up they will be paying a visit to Bewdley to "do the deal".
RAILCAR ENTERPRISES Restoration continues on Class 119 DMBC 51073, new windows and rubber have been fitted.
BATTERIES A member of the Gloucester Railcar Trust was talking to a driver on a battery-operated mine railway about long-term battery storage. The driver advised that for lead -acid batteries they should be fully charged up, then an air line used to blow air into them to disturb the sediment. They should then be completely discharged, to get rid of the residue on the plates, and the acid removed before storing the batteries dry for up to a year. New acid should then be used and the batteries recharged. Have any other groups had experience of this? Is it a suitable method, or is there a better one? Please contact the editors or the GRT.
ELECTRICAL OVERHAULS A recommendation has come in from Mike Evans of Railcar Enterprises for Chris Hatton - mentioned in last month's edition. His business address is : B.M.S., Unit 4, The Garage, Redbrook Lane, Redbrook Lane Industrial Estate, Brereton, Rugeley WS15 1QV. Tel 01889 574524, mobile 07971 190933. Mike has already taken two fuel pumps for overhaul and the quote was half that previously paid. He also has DMU engine spares and assorted window rubber.
SUPPLIERS LIST AMENDMENTS Window rubber and rubber extrusion suppliers.
COH Baines Tel. 01892 543311
LJA Miers Tel. 01767 651085
PJ Donnely (Rubber Ltd.) 70 Soho Road, BIRMINGHAM B21 9SR Tel. 0121 551 6222
WANTED
Specifications - for overhaul of Class 108 bogies, that might be loaned/copied.
1) B.R. Specification for overhaul - Number 148 for Laminated Springs
2) B.R. Specification for overhaul - Number 166 for Laminated Springs
3) B.R. Specification for overhaul - Number 151 for Coil Springs
4) Axlebox overhaul specifications
SKF - CEPS 1002 & Timken - CEPS 1003
These specifications show details of spring curvature, deflection under load etc. so that an outside spring company can remanufacture to original spec. D.M.U. Group (WM).
Injector Pump - has anyone out there got a scrap Leyland/BUT engine block with an undamaged 'Injector Pump Casting' (Leyland part number 528800). Apparently this also carries the fan drive. These are still available new, but at a price that is slightly outside the group's budget! D.M.U. Group (WM)
Stones electrical control box - as fitted to AC Cars Railbuses. Does anyone have a spare of the above they would be prepared to sell or know of anyone who can overhaul our current one (fitted to 79978). (see above item re Chris Hatton - Eds). Colne Valley Railway
Photos - Prints or slides of 2-HAPs, BR Eastleigh 2-EPBs and 4-EPBs (but not in NSE livery). Also pictures of two-car Class 205s in green or all-blue. DC Kits.
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.
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 - 2 Class 101 racks (square aluminium tubing). Williton Traction Group.
FOR SALE
Seats - in red/blue stripe upholstery
14 three-seater backs
12 two-seater backs
2 two-seater squabs
Offers or swaps. Shackerstone DMU Group.
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.
Service 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. D.M.U. Group (WM)
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 third of seat backs (moquette on lower two-thirds). 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 - self-adhesive lettering made to specification with an emphasis on the Rail Blue era, with numbers, data panels and double arrows, etc. The number sets come as one panel with no lining up of individual characters required. 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.
QUESTIONS
55009 - does anyone have any details of this vehicle's movements or working locations after Laira in 1991? Mike Boakes.