ISSUE 35 - January 1999

INTRODUCTION

It's good to hear from the Plym Valley Railway this month. How about some of the other groups sending in their first report?

Saturday 13th February is the deadline for issue 36 of The Railcar.

"The Railcar Association"

It's been quiet on TRA front over the festive period. Graham Thornton (ELR) has identified some redundant material at Adtranz at Derby and so will be visiting them soon. We will keep you posted.

Technical Many thanks to John Joyce from the Llangollen for preparing an article on Generators and Alternators, prompted by the appeal for knowledge of batteries. This article is now on the web site, and Gary Sutcliffe from the East Lancs will prepare it as part of the series of technical sheets which should be finalised soon.

Contacts Updates for Advisers contact list:

Graham Thornton (ELR) mobile is 0973 104523 and now has e-mail, at gt_hymek@hotmail.com

John Joyce (Llangollen Rly), Clare College, Cambridge CB2 1TL; phone 01223 311436(H) 332728(W) until approx. Sept 1999. Long-term as on sheet. E-mail (preferred) jcjoyce@iee.org should be redirected to his current address.

NEWS

DREWRY RAILCAR SAVED The First Generation DMU Group has brought one of the Drewry Railcars from the EM2 Group. DB998900 is expected to move to the Northampton Ironstone Railway.

They would like to hear from hear from anyone who has information on the Drewry railcars, photos, documents or anything.

2nd GENERATION PRESERVATION Some members of the Suburban Electric Railway Association (SERA) are interested in bidding for one of the 457 driving cars being offered for sale by Porterbrook. They were wondering if any DMU enthusiasts are interested in combining these with a 210 power car, possibly re-forming 210 002 in preservation. Due to the location of the 457 it would be more beneficial for a combined bid for both driving cars to be made and so they would be grateful to hear from anyone who is considering getting into 2nd generation DEMU preservation to combine efforts. Their address is in the contact section, or they can also be contacted by e-mail at gsgleaves@easynet.co.uk

PRESERVATION

EAST LANCS 105 The Cravens DTC 56121 is coming on apace, they have now completed the bodywork from the cab front down the secondman's side (including fitting the windows at the rate of one a day) and around the gangway end. They believe the roof should have been riding on the chassis!

Lots of interior work has also been carried out with some of the wall panelling having gone back up. A major step forward was fitting the bog tank into the roof, enabling the bog walls to be put back up.

EMBSAY 107 Class 107 Ltd. are pleased to report that the commissioning trial run on 3rd January 1999 of DMBS 52006 and DMC 52031 at Embsay Steam Railway was satisfactory and therefore they will be in service at Easter.

The Leyland L11 680 power unit (1) has been reconditioned by ABE Diesels, St. Helens, and refitted. Included is a report from Class 107 Ltd inspired by Railtrack's "Near Miss" report No. 623 dated 9/10/98 concerning a Scottish Class 101 680/1 series throwing a piston!

KEIGHLEY & WORTH VALLEY The Class 108 should be operating the diesel turns for the foreseeable future as the Railbus that was in traffic has been stopped for attention to the floor.

It is anticipated that both the DMU and DRB will operate during the diesel weekend that is taking place on the 31st July / 1st August 1999.

PLYM VALLEY 117 Both cars (DMBS 51365 and DMS 51407) have now had their roofs painted with miceaceous iron oxide paint as suggested by several other groups in the Bulletin. They are currently being repainted back into green, with 51365 now in undercoat and most of the underframe equipment painted.

51365 has been started, after freeing up both engines which were partially seized, and replacing the two pole switch on the fire detection circuitry. The actual batteries that came with the units still need to be charged having been left for so long in the sidings at St Blazey. The unit had spent nearly two years dumped beyond the turntable, which is in front of the half round house after a derailment in the yard. 51365 has been given a few test runs on the line towing the DMS.

51407 still has to have new fuel tanks fitted, and the cardan shafts refitted, which were removed to allow for easier re-railing. The engines have been turned over by hand and seem to be free, but some switches need replacing in the cab before connecting any power to try turning the engines over on the starter motors.

One or both of the cars will probably form the initial passenger trains on the PVR, hopefully early in 1999, being propelled by the ex-Falmouth docks 0-4-0ST, to provide the steam interest for the general public.

WEST SOMERSET 103 The D&EPG Park Royal has received more donations to its restoration during 1998 than any other D&EPG locomotive in the fleet, and that includes the Western! They put it down to the profile of DMUs being raised by TRA and its friends.

While DMBS 50413 DMBS remains in store at Washford, the home of the Somerset and Dorset Trust, work is concentrating on the exterior body work of DTC 56169. Seven windows and their frames have been removed to allow the welding of new steel. The leading windows have suffered the most.

On the chassis both battery boxes have been rubbed down and repainted after some wooden supports had been replaced. Another coat of black paint is being put onto the chassis, as it is about six years since it was last painted, and is about 30% is complete.

WANTED

Window Rubber Bump Stops - does anyone know of a supplier for these items (that look like mini Rolos!) that fit to the sliding lights (windows). East Lancs Railway.
We could also do with a batch for the Swindon - and we're sure many other groups could use these. Keep us posted! - eds.

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). 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.

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)