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ISSUE 71 - JANUARY 2002
INTRO
An appeal - please send us reports of what you are doing, or anything else to fill this newsletter!
Saturday 16th February is the deadline for Issue 72 of The Railcar.
NEWS
103 MOVES DTC M56160, which had been 'abandoned' on Rail Property Ltd. land at Dunstable, has moved to a new home on the Denbeigh & Mold Junction Railway. Initial work will concentrate on refitting glass to the windows and a coat of paint. The site is planned to be open later this year, and trains are hoped to be running between Bodfari and Afonwen, a distance of three miles, in about ten years.
PRESERVATION
DMU GROUP (WEST MIDLANDS) CLASS 108 The group have started internal work on DTC 56208. The lavatory has been stripped to a steel frame and damaged plumbing ripped out. All the tank connections were leaking, ceiling panels sodden, and the roof had popped its rivets. But better news is that the original formica was just covered in emulsion paint and is stripping off easily. A vacuum cylinder has also been exchanged.
MIDLAND RAILWAY CENTRE The space is the C&W shed vacated by 55028 has been taken by Class 114 DTC 56006. It is having new ceiling panels, tungsten's refitted, seats recovered, light body repairs and a repaint into green. Could this be the first preserved DMU vehicle to carry the cycling lion emblem?
NORTH - NORFOLK RAILWAY As well as the Class 117 (which is receiving overhauled gearboxes) the line has two W&M railbuses, 79960 & 79963 (interestingly the former has the fuel tank from 79962, the later the tank from 79964, the two preserved on the K&WVR!).
After more than a decade out of use, 79960 has had an extensive internal refit by the railways staff, and now 'contractors' are working on the mechanics. The Knorr braking system is being replaced by a more 'British' Davies & Metcalfe system, a modification done to 79963 some years ago, and a decision is awaited on whether to replace the Buessing engine (with an AEC or Leyland).
RUDDINGTON 116 DMS 51151 is in the shed for a roof repaint, after cleaning back to bare metal.
- 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 still have a spare Tyseley DMU blind (black background, white lettering, fabric 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.