ISSUE 49 - MARCH 2000

INTRODUCTION

A couple of web-related items: on the auction site Ebay UK there have been some interesting items appearing lately, such as a maintenance manual for Classes 201-207 (on offer for just £5 when I Iooked), and a Class 33 manual. Look in the collectibles section, then select trains, railroadiana (!!!), paper. It's worth watching out for other items. On the Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire Transport Review ( www.leytransport.i12.com ) web site are new pictorial sections on 101s/105s/120s and showing all the DMU classes that have visited Skegness.

Saturday 15th April is the deadline for Issue 50 of The Railcar.

THE RAILCAR ASSOCIATION

Urgent — Feedback to Angel

Reference was made in Bulletin 48 to a request by Angel Train Contracts for our estimate of how many Class 101, 117 and 121 vehicles are wanted by preservation groups or individuals. Angel offer to provide status updates to those who nominate specific vehicles. So please email/phone your requirements, quoting specific vehicles where appropriate, to Tony Fox anthony.fox@which.net , tel: 01473 890511) immediately, so that we can provide Angel with this feedback. To help you make a selection, a list of Class 101 vehicles with their current condition is being built up on the Railcar web site. The list is incomplete but further information will be added to it day-by-day. Thanks to Gavin Booth for the information on the Scottish units gathered so far. Kevin Dowd, Rob Simpson and Paul Moxon have finished the survey of the Longsight units and their information will be on the web site in a few days. Anyone without access to the Internet should contact Tony to request hardcopy of the information once it's all gathered together. Sorry, we don't know very much about individual Class 117 cars now at Shoeburyness, but we're hoping to get a run-down on these from Angel soon, which will be added to the Class 101 information.

Angel have also indicated that they would prefer TRA to co-ordinate the early stages of discussions on the mass disposals. They cannot cope with a flood of individual enquiries. Purchasers would of course handle final negotiations on individual vehicles themselves. Please send your opinions on this approach, plus your thoughts on how we should handle discussions with Angel, to Tony Fox. It's important that any actions we take represent the views of the majority of TRA members. Anyone willing to join a small work group (not a committee, we don't have those, do we?!) to review members' feedback and liase with Angel should also contact Tony.

NEWS

101 LATEST Further to Kevin Dowd's 101 guide in the last issue, Evan Green-Hughes noted L840 back in service on the 1st March (it now has a brand new wheelset). 101655 was also back (it had not run since December) but looked as though graffiti artists had been having a go at it and this had been harshly cleaned off car 54062. He also noted that Balfour Beatty were advertising for a driver for a Class 121 for the South of England — presumably for the ex-Longsight Sandite.

On Wednesday 8th March the green set (101 685) operated 2A06, the 06:03 Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport, and 2F91 07:13 Manchester Airport to Liverpool Lime Street. The first heritage unit in Lime Street for many years: it caused a bit of interest! Here it changed diagrams, working the 2A20 09:28 back to Manchester Airport, although it was terminated at Oxford Road where 150 149 took over. The 101 went ECS to Stockport Carriage sidings, and was working Marples services in the afternoon. (Thanks to Kevin Dowd for this bit.)

108 MOVES Class 108 DMBS 53628 and DTC 54223 left the East Anglian Railway Museum on Mon 6th March and arrived at the Keith & Dufftown Railway at midnight the following day. When they were loaded up great care was taken not to cause any damage to vacuum pipes and fuel tanks, which DUPA had previous problems with.

117 LATEST 117 702 is still at Bletchley and will be moved to Shoeburyness ASAP after 19th March. 51400 is also at Bletchley and is to be moved soon by road when road works outside the depot have been completed. This vehicle is almost complete except for interior fittings but one of the engines is hydraulically locked.

Units 701, 704, & 706 are all at Shoeburyness complete and "servicable". All of the Scotrail 117s were due to move south from Perth to Shoeburyness in two trains on 7th and 9th March. They are all complete except vehicles in 117 310 (still formed as a 3-car) which have been robbed of various small parts but not engines and gearboxes. Unfortunately some windows got smashed whilst in store at Perth. The remaining vehicles at Shoeburyness are in a bad state, all have at least one engine / gearbox missing, several windows broken and are stripped of most internal fittings.

EPPING ONGAR RAILWAY This line is due to start operating (subject to HMRI approval) on the 8th April. Their Class 117 will do six return trips every Sat., Sun. and Bank Holiday until further notice. There is a flat fare of £2, giving unlimited travel on day of issue (£1 for children/Senior Citiizens/UB40s and New Deal railcard holders.)

HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND

The Wickham unit has just received the paperwork through from the HLF authorising the project to commence. The delay was mainly due to the case being transferred to the new Wales office. The Swindon unit is in the process of being completely stripped down. It has had an initial inspection by RESCO with a view to main line certification. The editor would welcome hearing from anyone who has copies of any CEPS or other overhaul instructions that can be used in this process.

PARTS & SUPPLIERS

HEATER PLUGS/SOCKETS After last month's appeal by the Dean Forest DMU Group, John Joyce (Llangollen Railcar Group) informs us that they are made by Cinch (try Cinch part no S2412DB), and can be obtained from Newark Electronics, an American company. In the UK he suggests ordering via Farnell (0113 263 6311).

CONTROLLER SPRINGS The Dean Forest DMU Group have now managed to secure these from a local agent. Samples were successfully tried and tested, so they have 100 of each type on order.

PRESERVATION

LLANGOLLEN RAILWAY The 108 is undergoing a D-exam with various items to attend to. The exam calls for the unloader to be blanked off to test the safety valve setting. Having seen in a defect book "unloader defective - blanked off with penny" they tried the trick, which worked! A penny is just the right diameter to fit under the nut which can be unscrewed by hand. Result: 105psi, according to the cab gauge; slightly higher than suggested 98psi but near enough. The No. 1 engine has slight water in the oil problems and will probably be swapped for a spare re-con at Easter.

The 127 did 'Daisy' duties at the Thomas weekend, being hijacked by a villain in Llan station. PC plod jumped on 'Coot' the pannier and gave chase along the other platform, apprehending Daisy and villain at the end of the platform, much to amusement of assembled children.

The 104 is stored pending bodywork repairs later this year.

MID-NORFOLK RAILWAY Class 122 underwent a gearbox change in February after it became very noisy, and a first inspection intimates a bearing failure. The change took two people 1½ days, using a large piece of hardboard over the trackbed and a pallet truck. The vehicle has completed 4,000 miles in service since April 1998 with no failures. A repaint is now due, and if accepted for Shildon 2000, this will be to exhibition standard. Class 119 51073 has at last had all its windows replaced with new backing and retaining rubbers, and work has now started on the exterior. 51572 awaits a engine cylinder head overhaul.

TELFORD 104 The sole surviving TBS, E59228, was successfully delivered on the 23rd of February. Within an hour of unloading, a coat of blue paint had covered most of the graffiti, thus giving the impression of an all-blue 104 set. Cleaning work has been undertaken to the inside, mainly to get rid of the accumulated debris and broken glass, and to sort out what is salvageable, and what is not. Some work has also been done underneath, replacing several fittings which have been removed whilst the vehicle has been stuck at Crewe: notably the Vacuum Isolating Valve, replacing missing hoses, and fitting new battery box covers. Amazingly, the batteries have held some charge, though replacements will be fitted in due course when the lighting circuits have been repaired.

		The TBS in all it's graffiti glory, during unloading
About an hour later, and it's all gone!

Work on 53531 and 53479 has been hindered due to a lack of electricity after the Santa Specials. 53479 had been used to provide extra seating, and the guard decided, against instructions, to use the lights and heaters. This combination proved too heavy and consequently flattened the batteries. Also, the mains supply lead was left out and crushed, thus leaving half the site without power. It is hoped that this will be repaired before the unit is due to run after Easter, as most restorers know how heavy batteries are to lug around, especially the twin pack type.

The unit has been rostered to run once a month after Easter, but this may be increased if the diesel loco is used on other duties. See the Telford Steam Railway website for details of running dates during 2000.

WEST SOMERSET 103 DMBS 50413 is still stored at Williton. No work being carried out apart from regular battery charging and engine start ups. On DTC 56169 current work is concentrating on the making up and painting of replacement internal heating ducting. New interior door panels are being made and varnished to replace the damaged originals.

The Class 50 Society are leaving Williton, so the Williton Traction Groups name is reverting back to Diesel and Electric Preservation Group.

CLASS 309 DIAGRAMS

Following last month's Class 101 diagrams, this month Kevin Dowd has sent in details of the Class 309s.

 FAREWELL TO CREWE

A report by Frank Nicholas (Telford Steam Railway). Photographs to accompany this article can be found in the gallery.

Unless some rich benefactor is found, the last mainline appearance of a Class 100 DTC, a 101 DTC and a 104 TBS took place on Saturday 19th February when three vehicles stored at Crewe were moved through the station from the South carriage sidings to Adtranz, and then to Gresty Lane Freightliner terminal, hauled by DRS Class 20s.

The vehicles involved were Class 100 DTC, M56106, a Class 101 DTS (with flourescent lights and original first- class seat frames), and the sole surviving Class 104 TBS, E59228, with three Mk 1s from Riviera Trains providing brake force.

Initially booked for an 07:00 move, delays meant that the intrepid gricers were well and truly frozen by the time the formation went north through Crewe station to the Adtranz works, were the 100 is to be cut up. Phone calls to helpful staff on the train told us that the return was going to be about 12:30, then we were told they were coming off the works. Cameras were primed, but nothing showed. A long wait then followed, until the Class 20s appeared from the south with the Mk1s, but no DMU cars. It was later found out that they had used the avoiding lines, thus effectively avoiding the gricers, owners and restorers...

A trip to Gresty Lane depot found the 101 and 104 parked in the yard for movement by road. The 101 is missing all its doors and most of its windows, and is apparently going to storage at Shoeburyness for its owners, Angel Trains. The 104 is missing glass on one side, and was due to move on Wed. 23rd Feb. to Telford Horsehay Steam Trust for storage and restoration.

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

WANTED

Free-wheel bearings - K&WVR DMU Group.

Photograhs - Has anyone out there got photographs of DMUs on the pier at New Holland, or East Halton and Barnetby areas in Lincs.? I have fond memories of DMUs in these area from my childhood. Stan Acaster, c/o Dean Forest DMU Group.

Seat cushions - black and grey squares for the first-class seats on 119 vehicles. Railcar Enterprises.

Tungsten lighting - with opaque shades and silver circles. Railcar Enterprises.

FOR SALE

Fuel Tanks - from a 117, complete with all fittings. May fit others. Editor.

Seats - free to a good home, otherwise they will be skipped. 2+3 seating, blue moquette, thought to be from a 101. Eric Maxfield, Tanfield Railway, 0191 274 2002

Pantry Car - Mark 1, ex-Royal Scotsman. Would be an excellent support coach. The vehicle had a £90,000 refit in 1990 and has only seen six months use since. Accommodation includes a double pantry with fridge and dishwasher, an office with safe, twin full en-suite bedroom, two single en-suite bedrooms that are inter-connectable, and a storage compartment big enough for a bed. A 240v supply is fitted to the compartments, and the vehicle also has a 3-phase 415v supply as well as the standard 24v system. It has good bogies, wheels and bearings, and would require minimal work for main line registration. Offers around £10,000. Lancastrian Carriage & Wagon.

Brake Feed Valves - we have overhaul kits available, costing £15 per set, which includes two diaphragms and one seal. P&P is approx. £1. We had only 70, 30 are now sold, and when they are gone... Dean Forest DMU Group.

QUESTIONS

Fire Extinguishers - Evan Green-Hughes mentioned 9-litre AFFF and FFFp extinguishers in issue 46 (page 2). Does anyone know about where to obtain these and at what cost? Dean Forest DMU Group.

Seals - We currently operate and manage a 10km section of the former Daylesford branchline, with one of our main objectives being the preservation of ex-Victorian Railways (VR) railmotors. In the late 1940s the VR purchased from Walker Bros. in Wigan a number of their railcars of 102hp, 153hp and 280hp. We are currently restoring a 153hp unit and have already done so an example of a 280hp unit which has been in service for the past 10 years.

This vehicle is powered by two 8LW Gardner engines and then via a Vulcan Sinclair flywheel, an R11C Wilson gearbox and then a tail shaft to reversing axle drives. We have however been unable to stop one of the fluid couplings leaking from the back seal even though they have been lapped many times.

As we have been unable to find anyone in Australia who can help us with this we are wondering if you know of anyone able to assist us with any knowledge they may have regarding this problem.

We have also found it impossible to find a replacement flywheel or parts here (plenty for 6L3s not LWs) if that should be necessary and we believe such objects may be more readily available in the UK.

Barry Fell, The Central Highlands Tourist Railway, P O Box 93, Daylesford, Victoria. Australia. 3460 or e-mail serm@ozemail.com.au

COMMENTS

From Chris Marsack, Pressed Steel Heritage Ltd:

Re. Final Drive problem: This sounds like something that we have experienced a lot of. If it is the same problem then it is the hardening or perishing of the two rubber seals in the final drive piston. These seals have a flanged edge which should flex back and forth when the dog moves, providing an airtight seal. When these get old the rubber hardens and sometimes splits, allowing air to rush past the seal and the dog fails to move correctly.

Other indications of this happening are a rapid loss of air pressure when reversing direction, (large) puddles of oil under a final drive for no apparent reason, lost dipsticks and grating of the drive when reversing direction.

All of these we have experienced, and most of our cars have had the seals replaced, some are about to be changed for a second time. I will say that they are a pig to change. You need to remove the piston cup from the drive and then work on the thing in situ in the drive.

From John Joyce, Llangollen Railcar Group:

Re. Final Drive problem: The air system antifreezing problem is a little more complicated than might be supposed. Many units (including our 104 and 108) have been modified to have the compressor air taken from the engine air intake. Search me how to antifreeze those!

I am a bit puzzled by the over-cooling problems; my suggestion would be to make sure 680s are fitted with thermostats. Admittedly ours don't appear to be! I have seen various BR maintenance instructions noting that they are normally removed, presumably because they don't flow well enough for hard use. On the other hand the 127's Rolls most definitely are fitted with thermostats.

NEXT ISSUE : 19th April 2000

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