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ISSUE 78 - AUGUST 2002
INTRO
Congratulations are due to Ian McDonald for finally getting onto the mainline. See the full story below.
Saturday 14th September is the deadline for Issue 79 of The Railcar.
NEWS
FIRST PRESERVED DMU TO RETURN TO MAIN LINE Ian McDonald reports: W55003 returned to the main line yesterday, Monday July 29th 2002, with an Alton - Ashford (Kent) working. The unit, withdrawn in September 1993 and returned to traffic in October 1999 on the Northampton and Lamport Railway, had latterly been working on the Mid Hants Railway.
W55003 is to be used by Balfour Beatty for route learning/refresher training based at the company's depot at
Ashford.
The historic journey started at 11:30 hrs. when the unit was driven 'through the gate' onto Railtrack metals. The journey of 120 miles was via
Woking, Virginia Water, Ashford (Middlesex), Clapham Junction, Factory Lane Junction,
Nunhead, Orpington, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Headcorn. The highlights were passing through Woking Station at 70 m.p.h., turning heads at Clapham Junction ('No madam this is not the 1213 to Waterloo', we were actually signalled for Waterloo out of the Junction!) and rubbing shoulders with Eurostars down the South Eastern main line.
Despite the extremely hot weather the unit behaved faultlessly attaining its maximum speed of 70 m.p.h. on more than one occasion.
Thanks go all the folks who have assisted me throughout the last 7 years especially Dick Morris, Keith Jackson, John Collins, Nick Wilkes and especially my wife, Angie, for helping to make it all happen.
The adventure continues.
SUPPLIERS
WIPER MOTORS Mike Froud reports that wiper motors are manufactured / repaired by The Matador Company, Unit 6, Top Angel, Buckingham Industrial Park BUCKINGHAM MK18 1TH. Speak to Dave Andersen / Mick Wright on 01280 823 824. Prices are reasonable with new swivel arm assemblies at £6-78 (BR Cat 14/93775 is Matador Part No. 504 220).
PRESERVATION
CLASS 107 Ltd 52025 has moved to Cardiff Cathays Depot for a body lift and brakegear repairs and will be there until September.
MIDDLETON RAILWAY bbbbbbbbbPPS DB998901 'OLIVE' is scheduled to operate its first passenger trains on the Middleton Railway 'Leeds' on 31st August, and then on the gala weekend 28/29th September when it is operating 'All line tours'.
- 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
Seat backs & squabs - ex Class 117, colour is BR Turquoise/green (1970s pattern I think):
10x2 backs 10x3 backs
10x2 squabs 10x3 squabs
40 items or maybe one or two more I'm not sure of the exact number. Not in the first flush of youth but all intact and suitable for cleaning and/or recovering. £100.00 the lot or £3.00 per item, Buyer collects. W55003 Group.
Corridor connection - We have taken off a knackered (for us) corridor connection and was going to throw it in the bin. If anyone is interested in the bits, they are free to a good railcar home, buyer collects. Dean Forest DMU Group.
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.
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
DMU - I wish to purchase a DMU. Please contact alanburgess96326@aol.combb.
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.
ANSWERS
Toilet Foot Pump by Mike Froud. Thanks for responses to enquiries on toilet queries. Many thanks to the Keith and Dufftown Rly who produced a commonly available universal rubber fitting that seems to fit the toilet pan. When I have found a local supplier I will provide details. Many thanks also to John Joyce for his hi-tec solution to the foot-pump problem.
NIR 1355 by Brian Smith. I had a hand in issuing this
NIR in the first place when 170 201 arrived back one night for a 'B'
exam. There are a few interesting aspects of this that might be worth
passing on in 'Railcar'.
Firstly, the damage that occurred to the tyres was a distinct slice,
quite deep into the tread, about 5-8mm deep, no more than 10mm wide
and about 80mm long. It was noticed the day after the Potters Bar
accident. This unit had returned from the G.N. mainline following its
regular turn of duties for Hull Trains. It had passed through Potters
Bar only 15 minutes before the accident in the opposite direction
running 16 minutes early! A very lucky escape. It had however, been
over the offending points during the previous few hours. The damage
sustained looked to be from either a loose point blade or the sharp
end of a common crossing (sometimes called a 'frog').
Our conclusion was that this occurred either at these points or on a route that this unit does not normally cover as a result of diversions etc.
Also a new form of Vandalism has come to light. This involves the offender supergluing a washer to the railhead and placing a ballbearing in it. Look out for this, it does a lot of damage.