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ISSUE 74 - APRIL 2002
INTRO
This issues sees two railways appealing for operational units, and there has been another line in contact with us looking for one to restore. A good sign?
Saturday 11th May is the deadline for Issue 75 of The Railcar.
NEWS
UNIT WANTED - 1 The East Kent Light Railway is looking to purchase or lease a DMU set. For more information phone Paul Llewellyn on 01825 733577.
UNIT WANTED - 2 Class 1xx DMU wanted for Wensleydale Railway from July/August onwards. Ideally 3 cars, 4 engines, low density layout but others considered. Lease or purchase. Can consider undertaking paint/furnishing improvements but vehicle must be otherwise fit for reliable service. Line speed 25 mph, Railtrack registration not required. Please contact Steve Deane tel. 01296 696397 (eves) or e-mail: sdeane@riridium.u-net.com.
SUPPLIERS
BRAKE FEED VALVE KITS The Dean Forest DMU Group have had some more of these made and can give out to groups attending the DFR DMU driver experience on May 18th to save the postage.
RAILPART Most groups should have received the list of excess parts for sale. If not, contact Janet Grimes on 01302 388145.
PRESERVATION
DEAN FOREST 108 Chris Bull reports: "Unfortunately our repair on the compressed air unloader valve did not last more than 6 months after its rebuild and overhaul. We failed to get enough air one day ready for controlling the DMU. On inspection it appears to be the non return valve. We repaired the non-return valve by using a type of tap washer as a seal. This has now expanded, we think owing to the oil that is present in the air from the compressor.
I have been to talk to Dowtys seals who have suggested an alternative nitrile rubber compound as a seal. I have to take the whole thing down to them and let them make the washers to correct size on their machine. We will then have another go if all okay."
MRC - WICKHAM Work still concentrates on the DTC. All the external doors have now been either completely overhauled or built from scratch and fitted. The partitions are now in the process of being scratch built. None of the original works drawings exist, so dimensions have had to be worked out from photographs and the temporary fitting of a Cravens seat for scale.
- If you can help any of the following groups with their needs or information, please e-mail us at editor@railcar.co.uk
QUESTIONS
Pistons - One member of our DMU Group has been overhauling our spare Clayton Dewandre type PCGA246 air compressor off the Leyland 680 engine. On stripping down it was found that one piston was worn allowing the gudgeon pin to move up and down. On trying to get a replacement new piston for the compressor, we have now drawn a blank from all sources.
Clayton Dewandre were taken over by WABCO of Leeds but do not list
the part numbers for this compressor. Our local bus repair specialists
do not recognise the type of compressor or have it in their
catalogues. A phone call to one of the best piston suppliers in the
country, F W Thorntons of Shrewsbury also drew a blank.
Does anyone have a part number from say a Leyland parts book or other
source, or can point us in the right direction? Dean Forest DMU Group.
Heaters - We are having to rebuild another smiths heater after failure, the third one now. The flame ring has disintegrated in it and as we can't seem to get any spares from Railpart or Leyland Auto, we may have to reinvent the wheel and manufacture again. Has anyone else already started this and can give us some pointers as to the steel mesh and asbestos type compound used? We are thinking of starting with stainless steel and glass fibre matting type material to hold the flame. Any info useful please contact Chris Bull.
Air receivers - Does anyone know where new ones of
these can be made? There must be a few companies that specialise in
this up and down the country, who supply tanks to the trade. I require
two standard with part numbers, and are available off the shelf from
Leyland-DAF. However they are extremely expensive, so if I can find
out who makes them I can go straight to the maker, as I know the same
tanks are used for a number of other applications.
If any use:- Daimler part nos
25C111125 or 25C111126; Leyland DAF part nos D111126; Seddon Atkinson
part no 020389. Gavin Booth, e-mail: gavin.booth@spt.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
Rubber Connector - Does anyone also know a source for the non-standard size toilet pan to flush tank rubber connection piece? Class 107 Ltd.
Valves - Does anyone know a source for the little footpump valves used in the toilet sinks? They seem to retain water and freeze breaking the plastic top and both our spares are now broke, but repairable with a new top piece. Class 107 Ltd
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.