ISSUE 40 - JUNE 1999

INTRODUCTION

John Joyce asked for comments on the battery article, and whether people would like to see more. There were many favourable comments, and many pleas for more. Enjoy this month's supplement on alternators and generators. What's next John?

The NMSI has now granted TRA permission to use the class 114 graphic, as used above. This allows some other projects to proceed, now that we have our "image" finalised. Gary Sutcliffe (ELR), who promised to do the technical manuals asked for at Llangollen last year, is hoping to have something made up for the WSR event.

Two issues ago, Derrick Plyer wrote about "centres of excellence". He expands on this:
"John Joyce replied about enjoying the variety of jobs that arise in maintenance and repair. Now I did not mean to infer that because a heritage railway had achieved a reputation for experience in making a first-class standard of overhauling R14 gearboxes, and were willing to undertake contract repair or exchange units for other railways, that this would inhibit any individual or group from tackling their own overhauls. Each to his own I say, but there will be a number of societies who have the minimum of facilities, at least in the initial years, or lack of experience or time even to tackle an overhaul in order to get their unit back into service urgently. On the matter of R14 gearboxes for instance, I believe that it is desirable if not necessary to have a test bed facility to run the unit and complete adjustments prior to reinstalling on the railcar. Duplication of such equipment for a line that has only a couple of railcars would be hard to justify! I hope that when the time comes we will be able to give work to a member of our own movement at a competitive price and high standard so that we help support each other and achieve 'centre of excellence' recognition."

"It really is a matter of what facilities and experience are available and whether it is practical to offer to take on contract work for other bodies. An extra workload may, for instance, make paid staff viable or just justify the acquisition of machinery or specialised tools, gauges, etc. for which their own requirements may be marginal."

Saturday 17th July is the deadline for Issue 41 of The Railcar.

"The Railcar Association"

Bogies for sale Enclosed with this issue is a last minute inclusion from Angel Train Contracts, offering bogies for sale. It is strongly recommended that interested parties should make arrangements to view the bogies for themselves. Brian Smith and Mike Evans have seen them, as say of the complete ones, DD10/025 is from a No.1 (Drivers) end, and DD 10/108 is from a No.2 (Guards) end. The brake cylinder and some brake rigging are missing from all other bogies. Thanks for this information.

Annual Convention - help required We're going to try something different for the Fourth Annual Railcar Convention at the West Somerset Railway on 2/3 October 1999. TRA wants to ensure that suppliers of railcar equipment and related services are fully aware of potential business from the preservation movement. It's crucial that when the first generation business from TOCs and Angel dries up that suppliers don't close down production facilities without considering our needs. Of course, we'll never match the volumes of the mainline businesses (and certainly can't afford the prices they have to pay!) but there may be ways in which commercial suppliers could continue to do business with preservation groups.

So, we need to get in touch with as many suppliers as possible to invite them to attend the Convention (Rob Pugh can organise covered space for display stands) or at least provide brochures, etc., for a 'trade directory'. This exercise can only succeed if we all share our knowledge, so please contact Tony Fox with name, address, contact details and products/services for any suppliers you can recommend ('anthony.fox@which.net' or 4 The Wytchwoods, Pettaugh, Stowmarket IP14 6TB, Tel: 01473 890511).

Web Site The Railcar Association has had a cosmetic "refurbishment", hopefully giving it a more professional look. For frequent browsers, or for those with PC but no internet, we can provide the site on a CD-ROM, for a modest fee. Contact Stuart for details.

Brian Morrison Book You may have seen that the debate over the Rail Express review continues. In view of Mr Morrision's comments, we have removed the list of ammendments from the web site. Ones not thought too "pendantic" will be reinstated with information backing up each entry in our list. The lads from the Dean Forest have kindly sent us a list of amendments for 'Dawn of the Diesels Part Two' by John Spencer Gilks, and this can be viewed on the web site.

Contacts Update for Advisers contact list:

Bob Pugh - change group to Williton Traction Groups. New tel. no. 029 20891400 and new post code CF15 9TE - these run in tandem with the old until April 2000.

NEWS

SANDITE VEHICLE SALE Our contact with Railtrack HQ, Mervyn Rogers, has spoken them about the sandite DMUs. Now that MC Metals has closed they are looking for another disposal contractor, and all of the sandite vehicles are being inspected for asbestos over the next few months. There is currently no disposal date for these vehicles, and we will be advised as soon as they become available. They will be available for purchase subject to the results of the asbestos examination.

CLASS 100 DTC SOLD 56301, formerly owned by Railcar Enterprises, has been sold to the Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust. It is planned to be on static display at County School station once cosmetically restored, possibly as a tea room and shop. The group has a web page on the vehicle at http://web.ukonline.co.uk/Members/rj.cullen/56301.htm . They would also like to know if 56301 was the first DMU vehicle to enter preservation?

CLASS 117 CARS PURCHASED From the Bletchley clearout Brett Rodgers & partner have bought DMS 51375 as a replacement for Class 121 DTS 56285, to run with 55034. The fact that 51375 is in very good condition was a major factor, as well as the increased power/weight ratio, hence the reason for deciding to refurbish the power car rather than the trailer. 55034 is expected to be certified for Railtrack in October with 51375 the following year.

DMS 51386 has been purchased by Matthew Smith (Swindon & Cricklade).

LLANGOLLEN DIESEL GALA The Llangollen Railcar Group has asked us to point out that there is likely to be no DMU diagram at the July gala.

RAILCAR ENTERPRISES With the opening to Wymondham on the Mid-Norfolk Railway the Class 108s and 122 have regularly run up to five trains a day particularly over bank holidays, mainly running as a three-car set. As the Class 108 set is a DTC & DMC they needed a DMBS. Not being able to secure 50982 from the Swansea Vale Railway, they have purchased 51360 (Class 117) from Rail Charter Services. Although it has stood for four years, and last ran on the ELR, it is complete and should be in traffic very shortly. Matthew Smith (Swindon & Cricklade) should soon be the owner of the other RCS Class 117, DMS 51402.

TRANSFERS Kevin Dowd intends getting sets of numbers and lettering as applied to green-liveried units. He has located the original manufacturer, Tearne & Sons of Birmingham, and wonders if any other groups are interested in placing a combined bulk order. These transfers, applied with varnish, will be cream with 1/16th black edging. The British Railways crest can also still be made by the firm. Contact Kevin if interested.

PIPE FITTINGS The Dean Forest DMU Group had trouble finding ERMETO fittings for fuel lines/pipes. They wish to thank Mike Froud (Class 107 Ltd.) for pointing them to HTS (Hydraulic Transmission Services) in Cannon Street, Salford, MANCHESTER. Tel. 0161 834 7666. They are also believed to have offices in Leeds, and they supply Longsight depot. The Group is now busy fitting new fuel pipes to M51914.

WEB SITES The Class 107 Ltd. site has moved to www.solopublications.co.uk/class107

The Williton Traction Groups have a new site at www.williton49.freeserve.co.uk

101 & 117 RUMOURS Apparently, additional Longsight crews have been trained on First Generation units, ready for extra units "coming south". This must mean the Scottish fleet...

PRESERVATION

BO'NESS 126 The unit is now back to full power as the missing No. 1 engine for DMBS 51043 has been replaced by an overhauled spare. Successful test runs have since been made.

Interior rebuilding has started in TC 59404 with attention to panels, framing and floor. Floor board laying and compartment construction are underway. Aluminium extrusion (used for joining Formica panels) has been specially made and will enable the fitting of panels to start in 51043.

PRESSED STEEL HERITAGE Colne Valley Railway - bubblecar 55033 in lined green livery is performing well this year in service and is operating most weeks during the summer. Class 116 DMBS 51138 was moved from the East Kent Railway with sister DMS 51151 in November 1998, and has now been repainted in lined green livery with small yellow warning panel. It has been refurbished internally including re-upholstering the seats following sabotage whilst on the East Kent Railway. We have acquired Class 117 TCL 59501 from Chinnor in vandalised condition, and the vehicle was refurbished and painted green at Mangapps Farm Museum at the end of 1998. 59501 was moved to Castle Hedingham in January and has now been fully lined out and cleaned. 51138, 59501 and 55033 will be used as a three-car set for the Thomas event for the last two weeks of this month. The seats in Class 116 DMS 51151 are currently being re-upholstered, and the vehicle is next in line to be refurbished and painted in lined green livery.

Class 115 TCL 59664 has been sold to Mangapps Farm Museum and moved there in January 1999.

Nene Valley Railway - the two-car Class 117 51347/51401 was repainted in blue-grey BR livery last Autumn and continues to perform faultlessly in service. It was recently used in the filming of an episode in the television series "The Bill" and "The Gamekeeper. We have bought Class 117 TCL 59508 for possible use on the Nene Valley Railway, making a three-car formation. The vehicle is currently at Shakerstone on the Battlefield Line.

SEVERN VALLEY 108 All cars are in service for the 1999 Rail Cruise programme. The heavy internal restoration of TBS 59250 was completed in time to commence regular running on 15th May. Trevor Daw wishes to thank DMU Group (West Midlands) members for their work carried out to put the unit into service. The first run of the season was well loaded.

Unfortunately it has been decided that the group cannot continue the full Club Dining service this year. To fill the gap, the dining staff will offer a specialised style of fish and chip menu. All seats are bookable in advance. Meals are served at table, with starter, main course, sweet / cheese and biscuits; wine, tea & coffee. This service will commence at Kidderminster and non-booked passengers will obtain their meal from train stewards on arrival at Bridgnorth.

The acquisition of running gear parts from Class 108 DMBS 50982 at the Swansea Vale Railway has continued.

TELFORD 104 The No 2 engine on 53531 was finally persuaded to start this. Hasty work to fill the radiator with water as the stop solenoid failed was rewarded with a nice clean exhaust and regular tick over until it ran out of fuel in the tank!

Crew training continues, gradually building up the hours and miles. The Telford crews are pleased at the set, as it easily manages up the 1 in 39, whereas their regular service motive power crawled up at 5 mph. Regular service may be only a few weeks away.

WANTED

Commode Rails - 60 of these are required for Class 117s to replace items stolen whilst at Crewe Brook Sidings. Railcar Enterprises.

Fuel Filters - we would like to find a source of the cloth element type for the first filter in the fuel line as fitted to 680-engined DMUs. The type is CAV BF11 BS599. They can be found in the BUT Overhaul Manual - section L56. Does anyone know if they still exist, and from where? Dean Forest DMU Group.

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

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

FOR SALE

Headcode rollers - we have a few rollers and small-diameter end caps suitable for two-aspect (not four!) headcode blind/boxes. They were rescued from Southern EMUs but will do for two-aspect DMUs. They are free to any good DMU homes. We can bring them to the West Somerset Event. Dean Forest DMU Group.

Window rubber - Beclatite internal window rubber (50p per metre). Railcar Enterprises.

Mileometer - axle journal fitting suitable for a Class 122. Class 122 No. 55009 Mid-Norfolk Railway.

Class 121 DTS - 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 ono. Contact E. R. Smith on 01635 862738 Fax. 01635 874394.