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ISSUE 72 - FEBRUARY 2002
INTRO
We are saddened to report that Matthew Smith died on the 30th January.
Saturday 16th March is the deadline for Issue 73 of The Railcar.
NEWS
CLASS 103 Alfred Roberts has offered DMBS 50397 free to the Denbigh & Mold Junction Railway to join DTC 56160. It may go temporarily from it's current location of Coventry Steam Railway to Appleby Heritage Centre until it can be accepted at Bodfari.
PRESERVATION
CHURNET VALLEY 104s In DMBS 50455 the group have dropped and recovered the internal ceilings, repainted them, fitted new light bayonets, part rewired and refitted the ceiling panels. They have stripped the plastic lighting mounts, cleaned and repainted all of the heater duct covers, and refitted (straightened) the last eighteen inches on the secondman's side.
50455 had had a rather nasty smash in the 80's and was repaired (bodged?) at Cardiff Canton (the bodyside is almost half an inch out of alignment in the front saloon!)
The have de-seized the sliding saloon doors, and stripped and repainted or revarnished as appropriate, replaced the panelling in the guards van, (two panels renewed) and refitted all of the wooden window surrounds.
In DMC 50517 Kevin is about to order some new Lacewood veneer panels for the interior of the motor composite and a combination of scrap, salvaged, and cut-down (Lacewood) panels are to go back into 50455 (very soon, we hope!).
A subsequent exploratory visit to the timber suppliers resulted in a less than perfect match for the 1st class saloon's Rosewood veneer, so Paul was duly instructed to photograph the ex-1st class bulkheads in the other (stored) units.
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A picture of some real wood veneer, from 50494- (for all of those of you DMU owners with wipe-clean, non-varnished low-maintenance Formica covered panels !) Paul Moxon |
The veneer company now think that what we have is not Rosewood but Rose-Zebrano, which has apparently, a totally different appearance to it.
Rob Simpson spent most of a day re-sealing the four vents over the front saloon of 50517, as the recent heavy rain has managed to find a way through the insulation onto the recovered hardboard ceilings.
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Rob resealing roof vents on 50517 Paul Moxon |
Unfortunately a setback was suffered on 26th/27th January, when someone broke into the DMU, and stole a quantity of power & hand tools and a 24V battery charger (which was brand new).
The two power cars have been recently coupled up to the centre trailer which is currently doing duty as a general parts store, so they can get at the seat frames to repaint them for 50455, and strip the cushions & backs for recovering for 50517.
On Sunday 3rd Feb. the stock at Oakamoor was shunted around and 50437/50494/56182 coupled together for the first time. An aim is to eventually combine these three with the 3 car they are working on, and thus beating Frank Nicholas's record of 4 DMU cars of the same sort coupled together !
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50437 + 50494 being shunted to join the sandite unit. (note the slightly green tint to the bodysides - the result of 3 years storage in a damp valley!) Paul Moxon |
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Ex-Sandite car, 56182 after being |
The Railway board are pressing them to finish the unit for April/May, possibly for driver training to take place, so they are currently pushing on with jobs that affect the ability to run the unit.
They need to replace both rear exhaust pipes on 50517, find the leak on 50455 & repair, replace one of the bogie brake springs, finish off '517's cab, replace part of the guards flooring, fit new brake blocks… the list goes on and on and on…
LAKESIDE & HAVERTHWAITE The Class 110 is still in working order, but overdue a repaint (last painted in 1992). It is awaiting its turn for attention in the shed. No change on the 107 front.
LLANGOLLEN RAILWAY Class 104 DMC 50528 has almost had its D exam finished that's been ongoing for a couple of years now, and now the ceiling in the saloon is falling down as it's so damp.
An afternoon was spent swapping the reverse air pressure switch with one from 'stores vehicle' 50447 as it had been possible to get air & axle light with no air.
An attempt was made to check the safety valve pressure by blanking the unloader off, resulting in the unloader giving up completely!
50528 seems very prone to crud in the EP valves despite having changed the control air filter.
NORTH - NORFOLK RAILWAY W&M railbus 79960 had a successful test run with it's new brake system, it's first run down the line for many a year. The C&W staff now have to complete the internal refit, and it is hoped to be available for traffic from April.
The 117 twin has had it's two overhauled gearboxes fitted, and all four heaters brought back to life. Engine oil changes were done, but a few days later several gallons of water was found in one of the sumps.
- 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
Fluorescent Lighting - the strip lights and defussers 4 x 2 lights and 7x 1 light for sale at £10 each including plugs and inverters. Derby Works-Built DMU Group.
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.