ISSUE 37 - March 1999

INTRODUCTION

Following a request for a Smiths heater fault-finding guide, we would appreciate any material whatsoever on DMU heaters to copy for future Railcar supplements.

This month's supplement is taken from the BUT Spare Parts Catalogue (AEC Section). These three pages gives details of the equipment fitted to power cars, as well as some other interesting information. It only goes into any detail for AEC equipment, Leylands are just "Leyland". If anyone has the Leyland section please let us know. Also, can anyone help identify what the "BUT DTO no." refers to.

One known error is the Met-Cam cars E50270-89 which are believed to have always been fitted with Rolls-Royce engines. (Thanks to Mac Winfield for that).

Future issues may include further detail differences between some of the other equipment listed.

Who's seen the various (and varied) reviews of the Brian Morrison book? There was the harsh judgement from Rail Express contrasting with Traction's favourable opinion. However, the "best" was Railway Magazine. CJM thought it was wonderful and would become a standard reference for enthusiasts and modellers. Not a bad word about it - none of the errors were highlighted. We suspect that Colin J Marsden was one of the experts consulted before publication...

Saturday 17th April is the deadline for Issue 38 of The Railcar.

"The Railcar Association"

We have provided Railpart with a TRA Monthly Bulletin distribution list. Before the end of March their Graham Rogers will send to all groups a list of surplus material and invite postal bids. We don't yet have any details of just what will be on the list, or what the rules for bidding are.

You should have noticed in the latest edition of RAIL (p56) a reference to Waterman's old 117 3-car and Bubble 55032 being up for sale by Rail Charter Services Ltd. Deadline for "serious expressions of interest" is March 19th. Contact info. is in the article.

4th National DMU Convention

You may have also seen in a recent RAIL that the WSR had had requests for a "guest" DMU for this year's event, with the ELR's Class 110 being suggested. This was based on early plans for the September Diesel Gala. If the D&EPG hired in three locos from the ELR it would cost about £750 in transport costs to tag on a two-car DMU for the Gala and the convention. If the cash could be raised there were thoughts of bringing back the Cravens. But, even if it was ready in time (which it wouldn't be) the price was still far too high, and they wouldn't been able to cover costs let alone make a profit for the WSR. The next plan was to see if the GWR Railcar No. 22 could be brought down from Didcot. Having three events (WSR steam Gala, WSR Diesel Gala and the DMU convention) during September and the first week in October, the cost could be spread over the three. The WSR board and Didcot were keen for it to happen. But when planning the move in a bit more detail problems arose. Because of the low body work No. 22 could not travel by road. The railcar could have been damaged during loading and unloading. Getting the railcar to the WSR by rail, with no other locos in the train from Didcot to WSR made the unit cost very high, an estimated £3000! The train speed would be limited to forty miles-an-hour also. The people who look after No. 22, after closer examination felt that the rail journey might damage a very old railcar. So with the agreement of all parties it was decided that the well-being of the railcar should come first. So there will be no guest units at the convention this year. Robert Pugh and the rest of the Wiliton Traction Group would like thank Mark Smith (WSR General Manager), Mick Dean (CME Didcot), Paul Tucker (D&EPG) and the GWR No. 22 gang (Didcot) for putting in that extra bit of effort to try and make it happen. The spirit of co-operation was first-class and they really appreciated their help and support.

Contacts

Updates for Advisers contact list:

Delete John Stansfield (ELR) and all his details.

Change Gary Sutcliffe's (ELR) e-mail address to bhgsut@maybach.freeserve.co.uk

NEWS

NEW WEB SITE Class 107 Ltd have recently set up a web site. You can find this at http://members.aol.com/class107

PRESERVATION

CONTRACTORS Frank Nicholas (Oswestry DMU Group) has received back some door grab handles which he had sent for re-chroming and he says that the results are impressive. Although it took three months to achieve, the price was thought reasonable, £160 for 12 (price varied according to the amount of preparation), but the finish was "brilliant". The firm is: SYLMAR Electroplating Specialists, Unit 1, Rosscliffe Road, Rossmore Industrial Estate, Ellesmere Port, South Wirral, CHESHIRE L65 3AS Telephone 0151 357 4131 Fax 0151 356 5507.

He also says that his company overhauls compressors and exhausters. Prices again vary in relation to the amount of work required. Contact: Redhouse Engineering, Unit 3, Merseyton Road Workshops, Merseyton Road, Ellesmere Port. Tel 0151 355 7872

CHURNET VALLEY 104

The work done so far or in progress on DMC 50517 at Cheddleton:

• Burning and scraping paint off the solebars and red-oxide painting and a single coat of chassis black paint.
• Scraping & wire brushing of the bogies, electrical boxes located on the underframes, first coat of red lead.
• Replacement and/or removal and refitting of all windows and sliders, repair of window edges (welding inserts) and restudding the fixings.

Clean replate & refit heater ducting to rear saloon.
Removal and re-skinning of all interior roof sections, interior rewired, and cable for P.A. system provided.

• Refurbishment (strip clean & re-varnish) of all wooden window surrounds.
• Refit roof vents (plated over in later BR days, first-class saloon vents restored to original, (i.e. vented) condition, second-class remains plated but with vents refitted to original positions.

Strip out all cab controls etc. for floor/side pillars and door shut posts to be repaired/replaced. (i.e. rotten !) The picture shows the secondmans side front cab pillar showing the new inner and outer skin.

• Removal of fibreglass roof dome for repairs and repaint.
• Original (spring type) buffers shot blasted and straightened (off site) prior to replacing the Oleo ones at the cab ends.
• Drivers and second man seats removed for off site repair and/or reupholstering
• Cab controls and valves refurbished/painted off site.
• Extensive welding to vehicle body sides, and replacement of rusted inner strengthening bars.
• Filling around window edges, and grey priming, prior to rubbing down and application of green undercoat.

MIDLAND RAILWAY CENTRE

Class 127

• DMBS 51591 is completely refurbished and in running order.
• DMPV 55976 is in running order but internal stripping has commenced. Several small faults to be sorted out.
• TS 59609 is almost completely restored and should be back in service this summer. Rebuilding of the toilets is under way.

Class 114

• DMBS 50019 is out of service with no. 2 gearbox overhauled and awaiting refitting.
• DTC 56006 is in running order with recent attention to brake gear and bogie and is currently running with 51591.

This unit is in need of a major overhaul and this will include returning to original spec. - tungsten lighting, green paint, headcode box etc.

NRM 108 The NRM DMU Group wish to thank groups for trying to help them locate a fire control circuit control box, which they now have.

All four engines of the unit now run. The next task is to rewire the damaged fire circuit. Both cars were used as hauled stock during Thomas the Tank Engine's visit to York. The loadings were good and the 108 proved its worth.

SWANSEA VALE RAILWAY The Llanelli & District Railway Society's Class 116 DMBS 51135 and DMS 51148 are both fully operational and will be the mainstay of DMU operations for the coming season. A shop and cafe serving light refreshments has been installed in 51135 (in the brake van area). Both vehicles now in dark Brunswick green livery with speed whiskers and will run like this for the coming season with full lining being applied perhaps for next year.

The Society's Class 121 55026 is a runner, but is undergoing a major overhaul to the body panels, with a repaint into Brunswick green to follow. The interior has been completely stripped of all panels, insulation and wooden window surrounds. These will be replaced with new materials which are ready to be fitted. Seating will also be refurbished.

WEST SOMERSET 103 On DTC 56169 the aluminium window frames have been primed and undercoated ready for installation when the body work welding has been completed. Other interior work completed has been the refurbishment of the wooden door panelling. At long last the repainting of the trailer car roof was finished when it received its top coat of grey paint. Work is now concentrated on rubbing down the body work ready for painting.

• If you can help any of the following groups with their needs or information, please e-mail us at editor@railcar.demon.co.uk

ANSWERS

Further to previous enquiries on the long-term storage of batteries, John Joyce (Llangollen Railcar Group) writes:-

"I am part way (as always!) through an article on batteries and charging. It seems to be the biggest cause of headaches for a lot of people and assorted myths need getting rid of. Basic advice is to recharge once a month for a day (except vehicles with working alternators) and keep the electrolyte level correct with de-min water.

Long-term storage isn't something we've much experience of. DMU batteries are remarkably robust, particularly the old black rubber ones. We've got some which we've had stored for about four years now and still seem to be OK; the only advice I can really give is to recharge for one day a month.

Draining cells is a bit more complicated - not to mention environmental issues. (Oh no Sir, we wouldn't just empty the acid onto the ballast ... ahem ...) The plates will react with air if the cells are charged and then emptied, which is bad news; they need to be sealed under vacuum, I think. If discharged first, the plates are unreactive with air but the problem is that the sulphate may harden over time and then recharging is difficult / impossible."

WANTED

Battery Isolation Switch. Railcar Enterprises.

MTK Kits - does anyone have any of these lying about their cupboards unbuilt, or willing to sell finished models? We occasionally have people contacting us looking for them, and this month someone is looking for Class 100 Gloucester and Class 103 Park Royal sets. Editors.

Photos / drawings - Prints or (preferably) slides of Classes 304, 305 and 308. Also scale drawings or plans of ScR 303 and 311s. DC Kits.

Bogie drawings - Has anyone any drawings for the Class 108 driving bogie, re: arrangement of braking system?

Drawings are DE46302, and complimentary DE35459.

Also for the 108 Trailer cars, either DE34820 and DE35395 or DE35974 which is for the more modern bogie design.

We are also interested in any details of brake bushes and their relevant hardness, for our bogie rebuild project. 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

FOR SALE

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)