ISSUE 39 - May 1999

INTRODUCTION

Kevin Dowd will be getting two-character route indicator mechanisms manufactured. If anyone else is interested in these, please contact him ASAP. Obviously, the cost will decrease for a combined order. Kevin would also like help in locating a supplier of 2BA brass barrel nuts, which are used to hold in the window frames in Class 104s. They were originally made by a firm BL&W Ltd.

This month's supplement is a technical article written by John Joyce of the Llangollen Railcar Group. This is on the web site (with colour pictures) along with one on alternators (next month's supplement). John would like some feedback from you on the article:-

  • does this stuff interest anyone?
  • is it aimed too high/too low?- I aim to cover from basics to what anybody reasonably competent could be expected to do
  • anything else mechanical or electrical which is worth writing about e.g. component overhauls? I have in mind to write about a starter overhaul when I get around to taking the dud one of 50454 and rebuilding it.

After last month's item on "centres of excellence" by Derek Plyer, John states:

"I was pondering on the idea of 'centres of excellence'; to me at least, the enjoyment of working on DMUs is the variety of work which turns up over a period of time, with associated skills to be picked up. Recently we have had: AC8 alternator overhaul; heater rebuilds (four so far, but I'd not want to make a living out of that! filthy job); welding and panel-bashing; re-upholstery; various mechanical components replaced; interior repanelling and repainting; rewiring; plumbing; brake cylinder overhaul; heater control panel redesign with a microprocessor; PA system design and fitting. And of course the 127 engine swap.

Coming up in the not-too-distant future we have alternator conversions for the 104; starter overhaul for same; major body surgery for the 104 in places (makes the 108 look like a kids' day out!).

I suppose the point is that the variety of things to be tackled is the fun of it. Virtually everything can be done by a group of people with a few brains and something like a workshop, from minor maintenance to component overhauls. The biggest problems of course are time, followed by equipment and workshop space. Personally, I would be at least almost as happy working on diesel locos, or even old cars or buses..."

Saturday 12th June is the deadline for Issue 40 of The Railcar.

"The Railcar Association"

4th National DMU Convention Jim Poor (Gloucester Railcar Trust) mentioned: "We seem to be establishing people who have gained expertise in particular areas, so workshops based on the West Somerset DMU fleet and how people have resolved particular problems might be of great interest, e.g. things to look out for, restoration master classes, how to finance things, etc. This will encourage the sharing of information and hopefully lead to closer working between the various groups."

Please address any comments to the Editors or Bob Pugh.

Railpart We've spoken to several people who ordered stuff from the Railpart sale. All were quite happy with their dealings, although the opinion was that the prices were not that cheap, the items hard to identify, and the use of a carrier rather than post, needlessly pushed costs up.

NEWS

CLASS 126 LOTTERY APPEAL Many of you will have seen mention of the Scottish Railway Preservation Society / Swindon Diesel Preservation Society appeal in RAIL.

The four Class 126 vehicles were left as empty shells by the asbestos removal, with most of the interior destroyed or dumped by the contractors. They were certainly not sympathetic. The vehicles had been in preservation since 1983 (79443 since '72!) and due to the asbestos no proper bodywork could be done, resulting in inadequate repairs. Coupled with falling numbers of active members, it was estimated to take at least ten years to restore the four vehicles.

Two years ago an application was submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund. The initial application itself took six months of paperwork. Total project cost was approx. £300k, and involved sending the four vehicles to an accomplished restoration firm. A certification body was to be used as a third party to ensure the work was to a satisfactorily high standard, and of course had the benefit of a possible main line ticket!

After the standard six-month wait HLF replied, stating that they considered the project worthy of funding, but wanted to reduce their 75% share to 50%; the remainder to come from 'partnership' funding, for us to increase the volunteer commitment on the project (this is given a sum - £150 for a skilled person per day - which counts towards the SRPS contribution), and also to increase the educational benefits of the work. The application has been revised, in collaboration with the HLF, to just send the two power cars for professional work, while the two trailers are restored in public view at Bo'ness. This gives increased education and volunteer input.

As stated in the appeal, raising this £30k will attract £180k of Lottery funding, enabling a project now totalling £320k to proceed. It may seem a huge sum to raise, but already the appeal has brought in almost £10,000, leaving just £20,000 to secure before the end of July. For this deadline, serious pledges can count towards the total.

There is not enough space here to detail all benefits of the project succeeding. The Class 126 vehicles certainly are "different": the only Inter-Cities preserved; along with a solitary Class 120 at the GCR, the only Swindon vehicles; the only surviving DMUs with compartments.

Any offers of support, please contact swindon@railcar.demon.co.uk

MC METALS Most of you will know that MC Metals has now closed. Ian McDonald, owner of W55003 (ex-MC Metals) and W55001 says "would you please put something in the Railcar thanking Jim and his staff for all their assistance.

I know the spare parts cost a good rate but without Jim's help and attitude the DMU preservation movement would not be so well- stocked as it is today with spare parts of all varieties.

I'm sure this goes for all groups or individuals who have had dealings with him.

If it doesn't, they don't know what they've missed."

It is sad that we have lost this avenue of spares. I'm sure we all wish Jim and his staff the best for the future.

ASBESTOS HANDLING On a slightly more positive note, this is mentioned in the latest issue of the Heritage Railway Association 'Sidelines'. "The new regulations are clear, you must not do anything with white almost as stringently as blue, so if you have a partition, roof or building with a large quantity to remove, you will have to get a contractor, with all the specialist equipment to do the job. However, if you are just removing a panel behind a seat or a length of pipe bound with it, consult your local inspector."

"It is worth noting that some Councils have special dumps where you can deliver bags of asbestos board etc. that you have removed from your private property, to try to stop people just dumping it anywhere."

Thanks to Chris Bull (Dean Forest) for sending us copies of Sidelines.

MID NORFOLK The line has now been opened for the 11 miles from Dereham to Wymondham. Details of the new timetable in the running days section.

PRESERVATION

TELFORD 104 All the injectors have been serviced and refitted in an attempt to cure the excessive white smoke problem. However, the batteries are now refusing to start alternate vehicles. Having cleaned the injector tips on 53479, and repacking the exhaust silencers, the smoke problem has been virtually cured. 53531 will undergo the same treatment.

A Leyland Albion block c/w injector pump, starter and injectors was 'donated', with the comment that 'it might be useful'. If anyone is interested in it, contact Frank Nicholas.

SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY 108 Running maintenance has been carried out on the three power cars but the planned heavy maintenance on DMBS 51941 is deferred. Winter work concentrated on TBS 59250 (converted to a Buffet-Bar five years ago), saloons have been refurbished and catering areas improved to new hygiene standards. Heating and lighting systems have been rewired. This involves taking down the ceiling panels and replacement with new material.

Both gangways' scissors connections have been rebuilt. The steel holding them to the headstocks had broken away at both ends. The scissors mechanism had drooped and would not line up properly when coupling. The gangways were jacked up and after the replacement of rotten metal and timber the job was sealed against future water ingress with hot bitumen.

WANTED

Bogies - information about a source of spare Class 108 trailer car bogies. D.M.U. Group (WM).

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 just now 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).

FOR SALE

AEC Spares: radiator, radiator fan, cylinder heads, fuel pumps (refurbished), pistons (some still new in boxes), conrod & pistons, pistons, conrods, head gaskets, rocker cover gaskets, rocker covers, EP valves (offset), water pumps, RH drive coupling, starter motor, tappet mechanism. Also new 'Beclatite' internal window rubber (50p per metre). Railcar Enterprises.

Class 121 Driving Trailer car No. 56285, ex. Sandite vehicle DB977486. Body in quite good condition, no asbestos, some window frames missing. Bogies complete with brake gear except for vacuum cylinders. Interior gutted but spares available including seats. £1500.00 ono. Contact E. R. Smith 01635 862738 Fax. 01635 874394.