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ISSUE 67 - SEPTEMBER 2001
INTRO
I'm sure we all want to thank Mike Evans and Brian Smith for the superb DMU weekend. Well organised and lots of fun. Well done.
Saturday 13th October is the deadline for Issue 68 of The Railcar.
NEWS
CLASS 103 The Railcar Association has received a letter from Greg Beecroft, Estate Surveyor at Rail Property Ltd., about the Class 103 Park Royal DTC 56160 currently on BRB (Residuary)'s land in Dunstable (the former AWD siding). Basically, the vehicle is regarded as abandoned and RPL now wish to dispose of it. It has been partially stripped of asbestos at the behest of the local Environmental Health Officer following exposure by vandalism. RPL anticipate that the vehicle's future may be of interest to preservationists. Key paragraphs from the letter appear below.
Anybody interested should contact Greg in writing at Rail Property Ltd., 14 Pentonville Road, LONDON N1 9RP.
"The vehicle was one of a number deposited on BRBR's land without permission in February this year. In April we discovered that it still contained blue asbestos and this was exposed due to the poor condition of the internal panelling. This asbestos has been stripped from the vehicle at the company's (RPL's) expense.
We have been attempting to establish who owns the vehicle but all those who have had any involvement with it in the past claim that it is now the responsibility of someone else. While we shall continue to explore avenues to recover the cost of (asbestos removal) work, we are having to treat the vehicle as abandoned and consider options for its disposal. The vehicle still contains asbestos, though I am advised that this does not present a hazard.
The company is willing to facilitate the vehicle going to a new and responsible owner and I should be obliged if any interested parties could contact me in writing".
SIDELINES Issue 55 of the HRA newsheet contained the following DMU- related items (thanks to Chris Bull for pointing these out):
EWS Engineering has recently authorised two new operators; a steam loco group and W55003 Group (DMU).
Suspect asbestos found on Class 121 DMU; concerns all first-generation DMUs.
Defective oil delivery pipe on Class 101 DMU fitted on engine overhaul.
For further details on these three items the contact is Lyndsey Lee on 01332 265129.
SUPPLIERS
The Suppliers list has had a substantial update, and is available on the web site.
HEADCODE BOX RUBBER The Dean Forest DMU Group have sold out of this material as advertised last month. If anyone would still like this it can be ordered from: L J A Miers & Co Ltd, Hawkesden Road, St Neots, Huntingdon, CAMBS. PE19 1QS. Tel 01480 211177. The weather strip is PW5048 and the filler strip PW5013. Minimum order is 30 metres of each. Total with carriage was £51.50. Three metres are required for a 4-aspect headcode, so each only costs £5.15.
LIGHTBULBS Frank Nicholas reports on a nationwide supplier for 24-volt bulbs. Newey and Eyre (known as Ross Electrical in Scotland) can supply pearl or clear in most wattages in either BC or SBC fittings, usually next day from their subsidiary group Nationwide Lamps. Try the Newey and Eyre web site for their on-line catalogue at: www.neweyandeyre.co.uk. Frank states that although the bulbs BR used are 28v, these 24v ones are more than adequate as modern day equivalents, and work just as well in Mk 1 coaches.
PRESERVATION
DEAN FOREST DMU GROUP The line has now opened its extension to Tufts Junction, requiring two train operation, so a DMU is operating every operating day opposite steam until the end of October.
TELFORD STEAM RAILWAY Not much progress lately, as work is concentrating on Mk 1 coaches. The operating pair (50479 + 50531) have made several sorties up the line to bed in the recently-adjusted brakes. An intermittent vacuum problem seems to have cured itself with a bit of WD40 down the brake pipe and a bit of use. A lot of cleaning in 50479 still needs to be done, and a thorough overhaul of bodywork on 50531 before the set can re-enter traffic, hopefully next year.
The Eastern vehicles (50556 and 59228) have had batteries charged and lighting circuits tested again, and a couple more windows replaced. A broken spring was replaced earlier this year, and some spare parts are needed to complete the mechanical side of things, namely the reverse bevel pinion and housing assembly. If anyone out there has a BUT final drive that is bust, it could help the restoration of a unique lump of 104.
- If you can help any of the following groups with their needs or information, please e-mail us at editor@railcar.co.uk
WANTED
Start buttons - CAV standard type black plastic ones with 'START' engraved in white. We need eight of these to manufacture a drivers panel, as the Derby Lightweight had a start button for each individual engine in a formation. We don't expect anyone to have eight, but if each group could spare one or two? Stuart Mackay
Horn - the large one (note unknown!) for a Class 108. Nottingham (GC) DMU Group.
Luggage racks - preferably from a 108, but any considered. Nottingham (GC) DMU Group.
Alternator - For a Class 108. Nottingham (GC) DMU Group.
Final drive parts - reverse bevel pinion and housing assembly required. Telford Steam Railway.
MkI Spares - if any group has any MkI coach spares, suitable for a SK or BSK, there is cash waiting for these. Telford Steam Railway.
Leaf springs — for a Class 121. Graham Petts.
Help — Would anybody be willing to purchase a 101 driving car for spares, so that I may obtain the cab section for display in my back garden? Obviously subject to the asbestos situation. If so, please contact me. Also any Class 101 observations from the Manchester area would be most welcome. Keith Mitchell.
Pictures — I own the Class 110 on the East Lancs Railway and I would like copies of pictures of Class 110s in traffic, and of my set in particular, or information on some of its workings. Allan Schofield, scudfield@aol.com.
Pictures — Any Class 101 pics, particularly interiors and in the Skegness area. Sharon Gray.
Exhauster — For the Middleton Railway: I am seeking a standard rotary DMU exhauster. EM2 Locomotive Society.
FOR SALE
Water pumps and rectifiers — 3 brand- new unused water pumps suitable for Leyland Albion 900 series engines £75.00 each, plus 4 RUG IIA rectifiers (need cleaning) hence £25.00 each or will exchange for final drive casing (complete) and/or driver's window(s) suitable for Class 117 or 122. W55003 Group.
Seats — from Class 101s: free, but must be uplifted ASAP or they will be skipped. Williton Traction Groups.