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ISSUE 69 - NOVEMBER 2001
INTRO
We often get asked how we can produce a monthly newsletter for £4. Well, unfortunately after nearly six years (has it really been that long?) the price is set to rise. There are some factors still to be sorted out and I will make a further announcement in due course.
Saturday 15th December is the deadline for Issue 70 of The Railcar.
NEWS
119 MOVE The Cross-Country vehicles owned by the Gloucester Railcar Trust are moving from the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway to the Swindon & Cricklade Railway. The DMBS has already moved, with the DMS soon to follow.
YELLOW PERIL While 977860 (960 012 / 55028) is undergoing work to see it being the second track survey camera unit for Balfour Beatty Rail, another 121 has been converted for the same purpose. 55029 is owned by GTRM and operated by Omnicom Engineering Ltd. It has had significant bodyside alterations and finished in an overall (even including the roof!) bright yellow, only relieved by some decals. Meanwhile 55028 will emerge in the Railtrack (who still own it) livery of lime green and blue.
DERBY WORKS-BUILT DMU GROUP Enclosed is an membership leaflet for this new group, based at the Midland Railway Centre. The second colour newsletter is now out, and for a limited time new subscribers will receive copies of the first two issues in addition to their year's subscription.
141 113 This set has now arrived at its temporary home of the Midland Railway Centre. After a few minor faults were sorted out, the set operated on the line on the 13th Nov. for its new owners, the Llangollen Railcar Group, who were also inspecting progress on their Wickham set.
117 MOVE Vehicles 51351 (ex-L415) 51397 (ex-L418) and 59520 (ex-B430) are now owned by John Down. More recently, it appears that 51351 worked in the West Country (though still in NSE livery) whilst 59520 worked ex-Tyseley (T308?) and still remains in GWR brown and cream. They have moved to the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway. These vehicles were formerly owned by Alan and Tracy Lear and "stored" at Long Marston after use on the Chinnor & Princes Risborough line.
The first two vehicles arrived at the P&B on the 25th Oct., and the DMBS the next day. Following attention to some roof leaks which have given rise to localised skin/frame separation, a rotten guards door, a damaged jumper receptacle and a leaking fuel tank (amongst other things), it is planned to return the unit to service in Spring 2003 in green and whiskers.
John appeals for any advice members can offer in repairing a leaking fuel tank (e.g. what are the safety implications of welding).
117s STILL FOR SALE? Despite earlier reports that these were all sold, the rumours are that a bulk export sale has been cancelled due to an embargo on that country, so vehicles are once again available.
PRESERVATION
BOLTON ABBEY 107 52006 and 52031 have seen use over the October half term week when traffic figures were good, with around 800 visitors riding on the unit during the mid-week running days.
Bodywork and internals on 52005 are nearing completion. The cab and guards compartment still needs restoring but the passenger saloon is nearly ready for
lino. Other work to get it operational will be finished over the Winter. 52005 may stay at Bolton Abbey with 52006 leaving to join 52025 to operate on another railway (as yet nothing has been agreed). 52025 will probably not now come to Bolton Abbey, but go direct to the railway hiring it, for repainting there. Incidentally, pairing 52005 and 52031 will restore the original set 107 444 of BR days, although this is not the reason for doing it.
CLASS 126 The two power cars (51017/43) at Heysham continue to be plagued by asbestos problems. During the original asbestos strip of nearly ten years ago a lot of the material found its way onto the underframe equipment and it has got to the stage that Lancastrian Carriage & Wagon have stopped work on them until they are cleaned underneath by an specialist firm.
Renewal of wiring continues on TCK 59404 at Bo'ness. The vehicle has now had a full set of coach board brackets fitted (between bodyside lights and cantrail).
- If you can help any of the following groups with their needs or information, please e-mail us at editor@railcar.co.uk
EXCHANGE
Anyone out there want to swap destination blinds? We have a spare Tyseley DMU blind (black background, white lettering, fabric type), and a spare Devon and Cornwall Sprinter blind (white background, black lettering and narrower width, plastic type). Will not sell, exchange only. Dean Forest DMU Group.
WANTED
2-car DMU — Power twin or driving-trailer, preferably without too much restoration work required. Railcar Enterprises.
DSD springs — for power controller. Any ideas for supplier or can anyone let me have an odd spare? Railcar Enterprises.
Start buttons — CAV standard type black plastic ones with 'START' engraved in white. We need eight of these to manufacture a driver's 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? Derby Lightweight Preservation Group.
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.
Mk I Spares — if any group has any Mk I coach spares, suitable for a SK or BSK, there is cash waiting for these. Telford Steam Railway.
Pictures — Any Class 101 pics, particularly ones of the Lowestoft – Ipswich sets with aerials on cab, or any ScR ones. Sharon Gray.