ISSUE 45 - NOVEMBER 1999

INTRODUCTION

Please note that both the web site and e-mail addresses have now changed (as detailed below). Using TRA surplus funds (yes, at £4 we still generate surplus funds!) we have acquired the domain name www.railcar.co.uk and 100Mb of space. It gives us a more professional touch, and plenty of room for expansion.

The web site is very popular, with many browsers from home and abroad. It gets many compliments, and also many queries about all things DMU! The latest addition is an in-depth look at the Class 105s.

As promised, enclosed is a supplement on overhauling throttle motors by John Joyce (Llangollen Railway). He also asks:

"Any more requests for overhaul / repair details? On the list at the moment I have:

• Starter motor (need to source bits for these)
• AC8 Alternator (haven't got a spare one to overhaul)
• Fan drive gearbox (probably a bit too involved for average DMU group, including us)
• Exhauster (ditto - it's a surprisingly difficult job)
• Cylinder head (working up towards this one, doing some easier things first)
• Heater (urgh)"

John had posed the question in the last issue over the use of diesel during cold weather. There was an excellent response to that - thanks to everybody who contributed. We have put the replies on a separate sheet.

One thing that was discussed at the WSR meeting was 101/117 disposals, and it was proposed that a survey be done of the remaining vehicles to assess their conditions. It was suggested that we send out forms so that anyone travelling on a set could take details, send them in, and we would then publish the results. So remember, next time you go DMU bashing, take those forms with you...

Next month's supplements are likely to be a set of schematic wiring diagrams for a Class 117, but will be applicable to most blue square vehicles.

Most will have now seen the impressive article in the current (Vol. 9 No. 2) British Railways Illustrated on Stoke Cockshute depot, featuring lots of 104s. If you haven't, get it now!

Saturday 11th December is the deadline for Issue 46 of The Railcar.

THE RAILCAR ASSOCIATION

Railcars for 2000 Cavalcade?

As we went to press David Champion, Rail 2000 Chairman, contacted TRA. As a result of TRA's submission he'd like to include a first generation diesel railcar in the Rail 2000 Cavalcade between Darlington and Shildon 26/27/28 August 2000. 

Transport costs to and from the North East will be paid by the organisers and, in principle, owners will be able to drive their vehicles in the Cavalcade. However, because of space constraints, he can only accommodate a bubble car or railbus, which narrows the options down a little!

So, any volunteers out there? Tony Fox has agreed to provide Rail 2000 with a list of bubble cars and railbuses which will be in operating order in August 2000 and whose owners are willing to participate. Contact Tony (01473 890511) to confirm your interest. Once the list has been submitted it's up to owners to enter direct negotiations with David Champion, who will probably want to view proposed exhibits before making his final selection in January 2000.

David also talked about "innovative proposals" for other events in the area, to be associated with the Cavalcade. These would present further opportunities for additional heritage diesel railcar sets to make guest appearances. Details of these alternative attractions will be released to TRA in the next month or so as soon as they are formulated.

New publication

TRA has been approached to help with the proof-reading of a new publication listing all DMU/DEMU disposals.

Anyone with official information from BR and scrap yard records who is prepared to share that information should contact Tony Fox.

The kind of information that is required: BR source documents state a lot of 79xxx stuff was scrapped at Upperby, whereas it is believed that they actually went to Ward's and other places, etc.

HRA

We have had some communication with John Crane re. this organisation. It was one of the original TRA objectives to become a member. It was mentioned to him about our informal structure and no real funds, and the fact that the majority of railways where DMUs are located are already members. He states that we do not need to be a tightly-structured official body, and can be become an affiliate member at a cost that is suited to our means but covered their costs (for example £40). He is keen that one of our team should attend the meetings as there is so much that we can gain — perhaps more from the contacts that we would make rather than the official business. What do readers think?

Railway World Contributions

It is John Crane who compiles the preservation items for Railway World and he also enclosed these guidelines:

"I try to give DMUs a good mention in Railway World but I do like to hear from the individual groups so that I get news promptly and that it is the confirmed story 'from the horse's mouth'. I do a mailing, as you know, a couple of weeks before I put the stuff together. Alas with all my other activities, I do not have time to ring around everyone — I also find that information over the phone tends not to be accurate either as received or as given, a quick note tends to receive a little more consideration. I have to also admit that I am not keen to take stuff from society magazines: 1) They may not want widespread coverage; 2) it is often weeks (months) out of date so is ridiculously late if I use it and 3) I do not have time to scan magazines for possible interesting snippets."

We're sure that the same will apply to other magazines as well. Heritage Railways magazine's editor Robin Jones is keen to see a lot more DMU information in the mag, and I'm sure if we all sent him information regularly there would be justification for a DMU column.

NEWS

UNIFORMS The Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway has acquired, for its museum collection, a 1960s Diesel Driver's uniform consisting of serge overcoat, serge trousers, green cotton drill jacket and green cap (picture on the web site).

They would like to kit their DMU drivers in authentic clothing and are now investigating the idea of having the cotton drill jackets and the caps made as 100% authentic replicas of the original - using the ones in their possession as patterns.

To bring the price down, they are suggesting that a bulk order be made, in various sizes, and to do that they need orders from outside their railway. If this initiative is successful they would consider the serge overcoat and trousers as the next phase.

They stress that the plan is entirely non-profit-making and simply exists to provide authentic kit for drivers of preserved diesels. If you are interested please contact David Barlow, 7 Rossall Drive, Fullwood, PRESTON PR2 3SL

DMU GROUP NIGHT OUT From Bob Pugh (Williton Traction Groups): "All of us in Somerset enjoyed the DMU weekend, it was great to have a weekend off and enjoy ourselves. Nothing much to report on the Park Royal this month. We thought we would have an end of season "DMU Noggin and Natter" evening in the Lycum Tavern, Malpas Road, Newport. The Tavern is about 100 yards on the Newport town side of the M4 Motorway at junction 26, next to the tunnels. Meet about 19.45 hours on Tuesday 14th December. All TRA members and friends are welcome. Please bring photographs of your units and anything of interest."  

WEARDALE RAILWAY Latest Weardale Railway Society mag announces they've looked at two 141s at Doncaster and were impressed. Must have given up on 117s...

PARTS & SUPPLIERS

TIMKEN Alan Pace from the Dean Forest Railway gave us this contact: Gary Badland, Technical Sales Representative, Timken Rail Services, 16 Quorn Way, Grafton Industrial Estate, Northampton, NN1 2PN Tel. 01604 627015, ext. 240, e-mail badlandg@timken.com.

PRESERVATION

CHURNET VALLEY RAILWAY Work still concentrates on Class 104 DMC 50517. The extensive welding to the front 2nd man's side of the cab is now complete, and the glazing has been refitted. Unfortunately the laminated screens proved too thick for the original style fixings, and after cracking one pane, Kevin Dowd reluctantly refitted the original toughened units.

There has been a new hardwood floor fitted to replace the (almost) non-existent version that BR had put up with in the dying days of the unit's life, and the handbrake pedestal has been cleaned, sanded, and refitted, (albeit with much cursing from Dave Arrowsmith who was under the unit at the time).

The wooden cab back bulkhead has been sanded, filled and given a coat of grey primer. The fibreglass cab roof moulding has been refurbished (by Roger the welder) and primed and refitted (assisted by a couple of the steam chaps, who lent a hand with hammers, chisels, wooden props, and helpful suggestions !).

The blockboard for the driver's desk has been cut, and the cab rebuild can now commence in earnest.

There is a nasty rumour that Kevin may be seeing more of his front room floor, when the refurbished cab pipes, and thingummies (technical term for the vac valves etc. under the driver's desk) are refitted. (Watch out Kev, Fiona will have you decorating that room next !!).

The first-class saloon is full of sundry woodwork, cab fittings, and assorted crap, but will be cleared soon to allow the fitting of the timber bars (that hold the veneered wooden side panels in place), insulation, and two more heater ducts.

The centre saloon has had all of the hardwood bars, window drain pipes, and lower insulation fitted, together with the four heater ducts repaired and riveted into place.

Paul Moxon had a real job trying to make the driver's side ducting fit properly, as the second man's side had gone together a treat, but the joint to the front vestibule looked like it had never, ever, matched correctly. A 'phone call to Kevin revealed that the old insulation around the so-called joint, had been badly charred, so it was assumed it had never been sealed and that most of the heat on that side must have escaped into Greater Manchester, through the ill fitted duct. This gap is now a thing of the past, as a steam chap donated a length of insulation wadding that has now plugged the void, and with an aluminium deflector plate riveted in place, the job should be a good one.

The ceiling panels have been screwed back up, after a frustrating afternoon when the yard at Cheddleton had to be shunted, and as the 104 started to move, the insulation being refitted to the roof slowly fell out piece by piece as the unit went over the rail joints, and the tape unstuck itself !! (Apparently, this job then stopped in favour of a tea break).

The ceiling cover strips have been sanded ready for priming.

The rear corridor interior panel has been varnished and refitted, as has the refurbished slider for the corridor door, and the small access door to the toilet valves and flush mechanism.

In the toilet, more wooden internal framing has been fitted, but there appears to be a leak from the block of wood that seals the toilet filler overflow pipe, so this will have to be sealed before the Formica can be refitted. (Rob Simpson is currently 'bogged down' in this particular area !).

The broken timber around the interior corridor connection (result of a shunting mishap) has been repaired.

The exterior bodywork has had countless fillings & sandings, and is now attired in a fetching shade of green undercoat. The corridor ends require further attention (fill & sand) to try to make them more presentable.

The chassis and running gear has had a second coat of paint, after finding that the original paint had not keyed properly.

A a recent photo of M50517 on its siding at Cheddleton accompanies this article on the web site.

DEAN FOREST 108 DTC 56495 was moved from the Northampton & Lamport Railway, arriving on the Dean Forest a day later than planned on the 13th, at 14:00.

By 16:30 they had a four-car set running! The four cars were in use on the line's Rally Day on the 17th. Work continues on preparing 51914 for passenger use.

NRM 108 The 1000th Derby-built DMU car Class 108 51992 has been fitted with a complete new front end. This was made by a local firm, and as a jig was made for this they can easily take further orders: GW Smith Fabrication, Unit G1, Elvington Industrial Estate, Elvington, YORK YO41 4AR. Tel. 01904 608 722. The vehicle has been painted green with whiskers.

This puts the DMU group in a dilemma with the second vehicle. They do not have a two-aspect headcode box for this, and the NRM has said that it therefore cannot be painted green to match as it would not be authentic. They would like to know if any green vehicles with whiskers ever ran with Rail Blue vehicles? Alternatively, does anyone have a spare two-aspect headcode box?

TELFORD 104 The unit was pressed into service during August and September, running on average ten trips per day. The usual minor problems arose in September after a trouble-free August.
A sticking throttle motor proved very annoying in early September, despite receiving attention the problem still persists intermittently, so the throttle motor will be swapped for a spare unit in due course, i.e. after the Santa Specials as Frank Nicholas ( who hates children!) is rostered to drive Thomas the Tank for six days.
Minor body repairs have been carried out to improve the appearance of DMBS 53479, though wear and tear on the saloon doors means that some substantial repairs may be needed before long. Access problems have meant that repairs to the leaking roof have been deferred to await space nearer to a power point. Likewise, a lack of a permanent power supply for battery charging has resulted in the partial failure of DMC 53531 as there was insufficient clout to start the engine, although there was enough to operate the lights and controls. This problem should be solved in the next year hopefully.
The unit is now in winter storage until Easter, when the season starts
again, hopefully with less problems than in previous years. All things considered, the move to Telford has been exceptionally pleasing, and to the folks at Telford, Frank would like to say thank you for making the unit welcome and allowing him to get some miles on the clock.

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

WANTED

Two-aspect headcode box - urgently required for a Class 108 vehicle. NRM DMU group.

Bogies - Roger Gingell, Running Foreman on the Paignton & Dartmouth Railway, has contacted TRA to register an interest in acquiring bogies for Class 117 centre cars. P & D use these vehicles in their loco-hauled sets and require a pair of spare bogies for maintenance swap purposes.  Roger would also like to speak to anyone who may also be looking for such bogies, with a view to a joint approach to Angel or others for bulk purchase should the opportunity arise in the future. He can be contacted on 01803 553760 during office hours.

Thermostats - we are looking for two fire system resetting thermostats (the ones that sit over the fluid flywheel). Shackerstone DMU Group.

Class 119 Parts - appeal for help in locating any Class 119 parts which had been removed at Gwent Demolition. Railcar Enterprises.

FOR SALE

Rolls-Royce Engine - I have recently acquired an alleged fully reconditioned 6-cylinder RR 180hp horizontal DMU engine. It was apparently removed from a Doncaster works engine shop about eight years ago, and has never been fitted. It is complete — as far as I know — and still turns over. It has unfortunately been lying outside, but still has the protective film of engine paint over it. The inlet exhaust ports were still covered up. I would sell for approx. £650, although no reasonable offer would be refused. Chris Hatton. (perhaps a purchase for the people interested in buying 50291 - one more and it could be to returned back to a Class 111? - Eds)

Oleo Buffers - four for DMUs. They are the large diameter type (22"). In working condition. The backplate is 15" x 8", and the gap between the bolts is 11½ " x 5½". Dean Forest DMU Group.

DMU - Class 115 as a restoration project. Epping & Ongar Railway.

COMMENTS

From Gavin Booth (Swindon Diesel Preservation Society and bus restorer):

LEYLAND ARCHIVES The Leyland Archives are kept at the British Commercial Vehicle Museum at Leyland town. They are in good hands. (See below)

ENGINE PARTS We should probably be able to get 680 engine parts many years, if one knows where to look, given I can still get parts for bus engines almost 40 years after they ceased production. 680 railcar engines are similar to the horizontal 680s used in many road vehicles, (e.g. Leyland Leopard) many of which are still running, though dwindling. The main difference is in the fuel pump position, and sump fillers, which are moved to special positions to allow access from the side of the carriage. It would be of interest to find out from the Leyland Archives if there are any other significant differences so we can concentrate on getting the bits peculiar to DMUs.

NOTE - Leyland Auto Electrical and Diesel, as mentioned in the last Railcar, is not part of Leyland Motors - it's a separate company specialising in obsolete Lucas/CAV parts (a useful contact anyway).

LEYLAND SOCIETY AND AEC SOCIETY A new Leyland Society has been formed. It is in embryonic stages but looks like being very successful and may help TRA in two ways once it develops a) sources of parts and b) liaison with the Leyland Archives at the British Commercial Museum - they have an Archive Liaison Officer. Should TRA join as a corporate member (instead of each society joining)? It costs £18. Details from:-

-Membership Sec, Bruce A. MacPhee, PO Box 27, Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex, TN40 2ZG.

-BCVM Archive Liaison Officer, A. David Bailey, 7 Old Hall Close, Walton, Warrington, Cheshire WA4 6SZ.

Similarly there is already a well- established AEC Society. Again, should TRA join on behalf of its members with AEC-engined DMUs? Their journal has already featured rail vehicles on a number of occasions, and they also publish a list of Suppliers from time to time. Details from:-

-Enrolment Sec, Neil P. Musgrove, 4A Josend Crescent, Tirley, Gloucester, GL19 4EX.

A lot of the info published by these societies is only of interest to road preservationists, but TRA could keep an eye on the journals for anything of interest for DMUs and use these societies when appealing for help, info, parts, etc. What do people think?