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ISSUE 70 - DECEMBER 2001
INTRO
Apologies for the lateness of this issue, work and festivities got in the way a bit!
I wish everyone the best for the New Year.
With regret I have to announce that, with immediate effect, the subscriptions for this publication have risen to £7 per annum, with £2 per annum for extra copies. This is due to me losing our free copying facility. But this price is still totally non-profit making, it only covers the costs of copying, postage and the web site. Remember that you do not need to subscribe to read the Bulletin — it is available free for all to view on the web site.
Saturday 12th January is the deadline for Issue 71 of The Railcar.
NEWS
103 SOLD Alfred Roberts reports that DTC M56160 has been sold by Rail Property Ltd., although they have not disclosed to whom other than a group in North Wales. Alfred states that he will make the DMBS available to the new owner if they wish it when it is in a better condition.
CONTACT Peter Nicholson, classic traction columnist for The Railway Magazine now has a new e-mail address: classic.traction@btopenworld.com
TRA
2002 ANNUAL CONVENTION The dates for the 2002 convention will be Friday 8th, Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th of November. The format is expected to take the usual route of Driver Day on the Friday, followed by a tour of the railway Sat. Morning and meeting Sat. afternoon, followed by a visit to a local hostelry for supplies: liquid and solid! Sunday should be a free day as normal. There will certainly be one Class 108 to play with, possibly more.
DEAN FOREST DRIVING EXPERIENCE The date for this has now been set for Saturday 18th May. Further details, including how to book, will appear soon.
PRESERVATION
CLASS 107 LTD The group has an agreement in principle from the Bridgend Valleys Railway for the hire of their second 107 set (Maisy 2). 52025 will be moving from the Swindon & Cricklade Railway as soon as secure storage is available at Pontycymmer, and 52006 or 52005 will be following later. An actual start date has not been set for services as there is still a lot of work to be completed before trains can run on the branch up to Pontycymmer.
The guard's compartment refurbishment of 52005 has nearly been completed. The ex-Dean Forest 108 cage has now been successfully fitted. Most of the various bits have been used, but in different order to the original installation. The end gangway corridor return pieces, which are timber on the 108, were found not to reach the corridor on the 107, so these were extended by the addition of a spare piece about 12" wide that was originally at the saloon end of the 108 cage. The mesh panel beyond the limit of slide of the cage door had to be cut off and the remaining mesh butted up against the panel with the pie warmer on. The cage door was fitted and a final closure piece about 12" long fitted between the return pieces and the cage door post piece. The completed screen is fixed to the roof steelwork with new brackets and the old brackets have been cut off. It is fortunate that 107s have a continuous metal angle piece allowing fixing of the new frame anywhere along the length.
TELFORD 104s The operable pair (50531 + 53479) had a brief day's work recently to cater for a visitor from Mexico. Despite lack of use this year, there were no major problems from the unit. Work will start on the refurbishment of 50531 this winter, as it looks like the unit will be needed for service at Easter. All the radiators have been drained for winter and woodwork purchased for the interior of 50531. Proposed work will include bodyside patches, interior repanelling and a major overhaul of the cab electrics.
- 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.
FOR SALE
Drivers Manuals — Dated February 1981 BR 33056/13 issue 4 for DMMU trains (Except Class 126 White Circle) — one mint copy. Dated September 1978 BR 33056/2 issue 5 also for DMMU trains (except Class 126 White Circle) four mint copies available. Contact Martin at mrhd9019@aol.com
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.