ISSUE 34 - December 1998
INTRODUCTION
This month's insert lists Railtrack's DMU vehicles. They were extracted from the full list they sent us, as promised, which also listed coaches and EMUs. Also included was a list of stock for disposal (and awaiting removal), although the only DMU listed on this was 54182 at Buxton, sold to K. Dowd & R. Simpson. This is due to be moved from Buxton on the 20th Dec. We have to stress that all TRA contact with Railtrack must go through Mervyn Rogers (01277 652179). They will advise us when further DMU vehicles are planned for disposal.
Saturday 16th January is the deadline for issue 35 of The Railcar.
"The Railcar Association"
Merry Christmas! A message of Christmas cheer to you all from TRA's Regional Co-ordinators, formed for the most part from the ex-Formation Committee. David Aldridge and Matthew Smith deserve a special mention for agreeing to volunteer to join the team, covering their respective parts of the country.
An appeal was made in the last edition of The Railcar for all preservation groups and operating railways to get in touch with their Regional Co-ordinator to set up mutually satisfactory communication links. To date, response has been patchy around the country. So, here's a New Year resolution for you all - just do it!
We've had an exciting six months setting up TRA and building our internal grapevine. High spots have to be the exploratory meetings with Angel Train Contracts, Railtrack and most recently with Railpart. All have gone very well and reports on the meetings have appeared in The Railcar. The visit to Railpart is covered elsewhere in this edition. None of these organisations was fully aware of how well developed the DMU/EMU preservation movement is in the UK, but they are now! And TRA has firm promises of close co-operation, when the time comes, over the disposal of vehicles and surplus parts stocks. So far, so good.
TRA has achieved one key objective during 1998 - to be "minimalist and non-bureaucratic", to quote the man from Gloucestershire. We are up and running, but are we doing everything we could be doing? Are there additional avenues we should be exploring? Being non-bureaucratic means that we don't have a formally constituted committee which meets regularly to contemplate goals, strategies, navels and the like. Our organisation relies on vibrant groups and individuals who feel strongly enough about issues to push them forward for general review and action. We have a communication mechanism (the Regional Co-ordinators) and an outlet (this publication). So, if there's anything you'd like to air, the opportunity lies before you. Another New Year resolution...?
Best wishes to all for a successful 1999, as we start preparations for that final flood of first generation DMUs to hit the preservation scene!
Meeting With Railpart at Doncaster on 11/12/98 by Graham Thornton (ELR).
Present at the meeting were myself, Paul Moxon, Paul Ellis from TRA and from Railpart: Graham Rodgers, Janet Grimes and Andy Jakes.
We began the meeting by introducing the concept of TRA and how it had come into being.
We outlined the fact that there are now over 200 vehicles in preservation in this country. At first we explained that we were interested in only first generation DMU vehicles and spares for such. We then were informed of the current Railpart procedure regarding stock items such as we would be interested in. This was enlightening to the extent that there is very little of their stock that is ever written off - although we did discuss the probability of the mass withdrawal in 2000 of the current fleet by Angel. This prompted the reply that this would be the time when the majority of their first generation DMU stock would be disposed of. We offered to keep them posted on developments to ensure they were aware of the fleet withdrawal date.
Graham Rodgers is currently undertaking a review of the first generation DMU catalogue stocks. This he is expecting to complete and supply us with a copy by mid Jan. There would then follow a consultancy period where the various departments within Railpart would be asked to write certain items off. This would be completed by late Jan / early Feb. This would then enable Graham to put out a tender list, which would only come to TRA for dissemination. Initially we have given our addresses as contacts to speed up the process. Graham was happy to copy the information to more than one of us.
Andy Jakes also added that he would be willing to assist where necessary with part numbers i.e. if we had a number he could tell us what the item is or if we had parts he could help with identifying them. Obviously we would keep this to a minimum.
Two areas where we could be of assistance are:
As can be seen from the above there is an avenue that has not been explored inasmuch that we were not aware that this facility existed and although we did not get any prices it would seem that service / exchange may be a cheaper option than repair in some cases.
One minor point that came to light was that Railpart have just engaged a company to manufacture Smiths heater glow plugs - these are now in stock.
One thing that was asked of us was that if these transactions were to go ahead, as a large business, Railpart would expect prompt replies to tenders and also prompt payment and removal of any purchased items from site.
After a buffet lunch we were taken on a guided tour of the facility which was quite an eye-opener, as I had not realised just how big the place was. We were shown the glazing stores first then the main stores (huge). Full of lots of carefully ordered aisles - all palletised. We noticed some DMU items but the way the store is set out is that as a part arrives it gets allocated a location and is stored there, so there is not a DMU area as such.
We then were shown the service / exchange facility. Railpart do none of the work on these items - it is all contracted out - but there were R14 gearboxes on display. After this store we went to the large component area where lo and behold, 680 1575 and TL 11 Leylands were on show with spare 56 and 58 cabs!
All-in-all we three think that we had a very worthwhile meeting and as we have now broken the ice and lets see what develops. As in the Star Trek film "First Contact" we think that we may be able to assimilate Railpart as part of the NRA collective.
Contacts Updates for Advisers contact list:
Chris Bull's (Dean Forest Railway) mobile should read 0374 474 114.
Gary Sutcliffe's (ELR) e-mail is now bhgsut@maybach.freeserve.co.uk and mobile number 07979 000902.
NEWS
T. NORBURY & SONS This headcode blind manufacturer which had went into voluntary liquidation has now been taken over by Percy Lane Products, keeping the same premises etc. Percy Lane already produce "Overton Destination Equipment" and Beclawat Window Frames" for rail vehicles. Contact Mrs Ann Gibbons, Supervisor, Customer Services Team, Percy Lane Products, Overton Division, Brookside, Friar St., Wednesbury, WEST MIDLANDS, WS10 0RE, Tel. 0121 556 0262. The Dean Forest Railway have now reordered and groups that ordered through them should receive a demand for money for the goods which are due around Christmas.
BOOK REVIEW By Stuart Mackay - This long-awaited book held much promise, touted as the definitive book on our beloved DMUs. After several delays to the publication date, and a £5 rise in the price, the book has finally been released. Despite Ian Allan announcing that it would only be available by mail order from themselves until around March '99, it has been seen for sale in our local bookstore.
Latterly the book had been advertised as a photographic book, and what a fine collection of pictures it is. Each DMU class has its own section (there is also a section covering the pre-nationalisation cars), and each section begins with a few brief notes, before a range of photographs in which the captions go into a bit more detail.
Most welcome are the few pictures of vehicles under construction, and interior pictures when new. Most liveries are covered in each section, including a good selection of my favourite livery, the early blue with small yellow panels. All pictures are B/W, and few bigger than postcard size. One or two of the pictures are badly cropped, but on the whole are very well presented. While the majority of the pics are by the author, a great variety of other sources has been used, and only around 20% have been published before.
While Brian Morrison may be a renowned photographer, he doesn't appear to have much knowledge of DMUs. The book is riddled with errors, myths and missed opportunities for interesting information.
Some of the errors are blatant, like the first picture in the Class 119 section which shows a high-density set, and a Class 129 in the Class 112/3 section. While these are easily noticeable, more worrying are the mistakes that people do not recognise, which they then take as fact, especially when considering this book will become a DMU reference book. The interior shot in the Class 110 section is of a Class 104. The WR is said to have been allocated 6 Class 126 buffet cars with the 12 power cars, when it had 2 buffets and 2 TFKs. And so on. It's a great pity that someone with knowledge of DMUs could not have checked over the book before printing.
I have compiled a list of errors and additional information, which can be found on the website, or by sending me a SAE. If anyone finds additional stuff, disagrees with any of it, please let me know! Once everyone has their say, and we feel we have a definitive list, we will include it with a future Railcar.
COMPONENT OVERHAUL Chris Hatton, mentioned in the last two issues, has now subscribed to the Railcar. As a former volunteer in DMU preservation, with a fair degree of experience, he feels he can be of help with the supply of consumables and reconditioned components. His company offers a "costed repair" arrangement for any component being overhauled. Groups would pay for what was defective and replaced, plus labour, obviously keeping costs to a minimum. He feels the following could be repaired cheaply:
starters, alternators, fuel injection pumps, injectors, exhausters, right angle fan drives.
To keep the cost down the original would need to be in a reasonably complete condition.
If there was sufficient demand they may overhaul the following:
engines, gearboxes, new bogie / brake components, replacement steel bodyside sections, recon. door locks, runs of period moquette.
All this depends on demand and commercial viability. They can also source filters, belts, bulbs, etc. They also have a limited supply of new and used DMU spares. Contact:
PRESERVATION
LLANGOLLEN RAILCAR GROUP The Group has slightly changed its name in line with public expectations and the name being adopted by other first generation railcar owners.
The Gloucester 100 set is to stay at the Midland Railway Centre until at least next summer as asbestos stripping has revealed that some work to the structure of both cars is required. The opportunity will also be taken to renew much of the outer skin below window level. The work will be undertaken at the MRC on a contract basis but will not start for some time due to other commitments at the centre.
At Llangollen the work to restore the interior of the class 104 set (50454 and 50528) is now near to completion. The remainder of the wooden panelling in the DMC has either been restored or replaced and a new ceiling is being fitted outside the toilet area. The whole set has now been reupholstered since it entered service. The DMBS has had exhaust repairs, including a new section of flexible pipe.
The DMBS of the class 108 set (51907) has also had exhaust repairs which have necessitated specialist welding on one of the silencers. The no. 2 alternator has been rebuilt and is currently being rewired and replaced. The DTC has had a replacement headlight fitted after the original rotted away and the blanking plate on the former headcode box has been removed and resealed, similar work has also been carried out to the join between the metal and glass fibre parts of the roof.
The class 127 power car (51618) is now running well following the fitting of a new injector pump to the no. 2 engine. It has also had some minor repairs such as a new drop spring in one of the side windows. The Cravens trailer (56456) has had a refurbished gear and direction controller fitted. A long-standing fault on this car which caused the tail lights to fuse may have been solved with the discovery of chafed wires in the loom under the frame - but not before the entire circuit was renewed from the fuse box to the lamps themselves!
The Llangollen Railway has announced that next year there will be three weeks in May during which Railcars will operate trains each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in addition to the three weeks in August when the Group operates Monday to Friday. There are also numerous Saturday dates as well as mixed railcar/Steam days. The community trains which serve local villages on Saturday evenings will continue except in February and November this year.
The group aims to build a purpose-built depot at Corwen, two miles beyond the present terminus of Carrog. The Railway plans to apply for a Transport and Works Order for the Carrog- Corwen section in the New Year.
WEST SOMERSET 103 During the last week in November DMBS M50143 was moved from the back of the "Tarmac Shed" (or Doniford Road as it's sometimes known) to the main Diesel depot complex alongside Williton station. 50413's visit was to be a short one as two weeks later it moved on to Washford - the home of the Somerset and Dorset Trust - where it will be seeing out the winter.
The DTC M56169 now resides inside number 2 shed at Williton. The roof panels have been rubbed down and resealed before being painted with a roof-sealing membrane called Temalac HRA 150 made by Kemra Coatings. Although the roof is sealed the group are keen to put on another coat in the spring, when the weather is a little warmer, to give thicker coverage. The finish of Temalac HRA is a very bright
aluminium and will have to be toned down before the car goes into service in the early summer.
The corridor connection has been removed ready for re-canvassing, with the hope that a local sail maker will be able to do the job. This has also allowed the coach end to be examined, revealing more corrosion than expected, especially near the toilet. Patches have been welded in to the body framing and sides. The whole of the coach end has been primed and undercoated ready for top coat painting in the spring.
All of the doors have been removed ready for refurbishment, probably by Cranmore Traincare and Maintenance Services on the East Somerset Railway. A considerable amount of rubbing down has taken place in the door apertures and body sides, much to the annoyance of the other D&EPG working members, as their nice clean blue locomotives are covered with green dust! The main areas of corrosion along the main chassis frame are the areas around the wooden steps. The treads were found to be saturated with water and well decayed. New step treads will be made up during the next month.
The corrosion around the two-aspect route indication panel was also far worse than expected. All three cab windows and their associated frames had to be removed to attack the rust, and a start has been made on replacing the top hat sections.
Many thanks to Gavin Booth of the SDPS Class 126 group for his help in locating the aluminium moulding we require for the interior window surrounds. Between us we have been able to come up with a solution, which although using two pieces of aluminium it will look very similar to the original.
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.
Control box - fire circuit control box, suitable for a Class 108 No. 2 engine. NRM DMU Volunteer Group.
Headcode mechanism - four-digit mechanism suitable for a Class 108. Gwent 108 Group. (Try a Class 47 locomotive which have 4-aspect codes - some are being scrapped at Booth's, Rotherham - Chris Bull, Dean Forest Railway)
Corridor connection - 1 short BS DMU corridor connection in operational condition. Williton Traction Group.
EXCHANGE
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)
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.