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ISSUE 77 - JULY 2002
INTRO
Saturday 13th July is the deadline for Issue 78 of The Railcar.
TRA
Dean Forest Railway DMU Drivers' Experience Day. – Richard Eagle (Dean Forest DMU Group)
On 18th May the above get together was held by the Dean Forest DMU group. The day began wet but the rain cleared and it turned out to be a lovely event.
Both of our two car class 108 DMUs were in service, one for passed out / qualified DMU drivers (M51914 M56492) – with onboard buffet and sales stand – the other pair (E50619 M56495) for drivers under instruction, in which no passengers were carried. The whole length of the line currently open was used, and each participant drove from Norchard to Lydney Junction and then to Tufts, or vice versa.
Although there were inevitably a few cancellations, a total of 18 DMU enthusiasts from groups around the country took part in driving with others joining just for the ride and social gathering, and it is fair to say that a good time was had by all. We had the line to ourselves as there were no passenger services that day. Various DMUites left with more than they came with, having purchased such useful items as uniform jackets, trousers, ties, seat frame rubbers, brake feed valve kits etc.
Those able to remain late retired to 'The Fountain Inn', Parkend, for an evening of food, beer and DMU talk. I believe for those who went it rounded off the day very well. It was a good exercise in communication between groups from far and wide, and will keep us all going until we meet again on the Swanage Railway in November.
NIR 1369 Communication cord failure i.e. the PASSCOM did not work when pulled. Although this was a FGW MKII coach the principle is still the same for MKI and DMUs. The chain passes through a conduit from the valve then through a brass/steel fixing bush into and out of the aluminium alcove in which the passenger sees and pulls the chain. The bush was not screwed into the conduit at one end and the chain was snagging on the hole. This resulted in the failure of the system to respond. It is recommended that a PASSCOM test is carried out on all passenger vehicles to ensure the system is operational. Any anomalies should be repaired ASAP.
NIR1355 This relates to wheel tread damage on Anglia 170/2s so not directly to our vehicles. It is however worth mentioning. Unusual 'tadpole' shaped depressions were found to varying depths on the main contact area of the wheel treads down one side of vehicles 50201, 56201 & 79201. No other vehicles are affected. Advice is for all vehicle maintenance engineers to inspect vehicle wheel tread for damage at regular intervals to prevent bad riding, excess wear and possible failure of the tyre.
VEHICLE MOVEMENTS The Class 101 3-car set from the Swindon & Cricklade Railway has moved to the Mid-Norfolk Railway. It has made a successful test run down part of the line. Class 116 DMBS 51138 returned to it's old home the Colne Valley Railway to fulfil contractual obligations for a Thomas event. It made its way back to the Nottingham Transport Centre accompanied by Class 117 TC 59501.
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51138 back on the Colne Valley Railway. |
NEW MEMBER'S WEBSITE John Down has created a page about his 117 at www.pontypool-and-blaenavon.co.uk/dmu117. The page includes one technical bulletin on how to fix the endemic 117 gutter leaks, and he will have another, in an advanced state of preparation, about the tacho electronic circuits inside the small Smiths boxes, located on the outside the unit and some explanations about the varying functions of the SIR relay.
SUPPLIERS
JUMPER SOCKET SPRINGS Chris Bull has now a supply of newly manufactured springs. If you are interested in some please contact him.
PRESERVATION
CHURNET VALLEY 104 pictures by Paul Moxon
| 50517 has left the carriage shed at Oakamoor, after it's repaint. Filling and sanding has now begun on the mountain range known as 50455. |  |
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The bottom line refers to the three painters, David Arrowsmith, Kevin Dowd and Stuart Mackay. |
GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY (NORTHERN) At the Nottingham Transport Centre, Ruddington, oil changes, some adjustment to fuel pumps and throttle motors, and some electrical repairs were done to the 108 were done. It was taken for a test down the line, it's first in a year.
On Class 116 DMS 51151's No.2 engine a crankshaft felt seal was replaced behind the fluid flywheel, and two overhauled cylinder heads were fitted.
- If you can help any of the following groups with their needs or information, please e-mail us at editor@railcar.co.uk
FOR SALE
Class 121 DTS 56285 - The body and running gear are in good order but the brake cylinders are missing and the inside needs the fittout completing. Contact Chris Osborne at c_osborneuk@yahoo.co.uk.
Sewing Machine - Chris Bull advises: Free to a good railway home is an industrial type sewing machine powered by a single phase 0.25 horsepower motor. Until his recent untimely death it was used by John Davies for his tailoring business. His brother Bernard Davies, (ex-Director for the DFR) has now offered it to our DMU Group. We have no use for such a machine having our own seats upholstered by our 'man from Derby'. It is therefore free to any other group that would find a use for it on a railway. Very Approx size 40" x 36" x 24" , buyer collects from Treorchy in South Wales. Two strong man lift! Please contact Bernard Davies on 01443 773280.
Seats - Over 30 Seat frames with newly upholstered backs but NO swabs for Class 119 A quantity of new seat covers for HST and unknown seats. Nottingham (GC) DMU Group.
WANTED
Bubble Car - The McLaren Railcar Trust wishes to purchase a 'Bubble' car, in working order. Two-car set also considered. Purchase is preferred to lease. Please contact the Trust with vehicle details or suggestions: c/o James Dennell, Glenheath, 80 High Street, Odell, Beds MK43 7AS (tel: 01234 720190).
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.
QUESTIONS
Does anyone out there remember using the buffet facility on a 119 / 120 unit in the 60s / 70s period? What did they sell in those days? Dave Henwood, e-mail Rebecca.Henwood@btopenworld.com.
ANSWERS
Footpump valve query - we had the same trouble a few years ago. I redid the plumbing in 54490 with a small solenoid valve from RS that cost about £15 (irritatingly only available for 12V, not 24V, so it needed a dropper resistor), and machined the foot pedal to take a microswitch at the bottom to activate it. The wires run in the pipe that the air pipe used to run in. It's fed from the cab light circuit via two wires running from the cab - electricity consumption is negligible. I also put a small filter in the pipework as the solenoid valve got crudded up very quickly and jammed open otherwise. John Joyce.