ISSUE 79 - SEPTEMBER 2002

Saturday 12th October is the deadline for Issue 80 of The Railcar. Submissions to editor@railcar.co.uk.

TRA

ANNUAL DMU CONVENTION This years event is at the Swanage Railway and takes place on the 8/9/10th November. Chris Bull has supplied the number for Swanage Tourist Information: 01929 422885. Speakers for the meeting include Bruce Knights, representing Serco Operations, who are Angel's agents for sale of vehicles and spares. All going to plan, there will be a big announcement about this on the day.

NEWS

WENSLEYDALE Things are starting to move quickly on the Railway, and they have shown their commitment to operating 1st generation units as the plc has now secured the lease on a 3-car unit

SUPPLIERS

JUMPER SPRINGS Chris Bull has now taken delivery of the 500 springs, arranged by David Arrowsmith of the 104 group. They look very good and come chemically blackened which gives a good appearance. Very soon he will be sorting out the orders he already has - for approx 280, so there are only 220 left and when they are gone...

They work out at just under £1.50 per spring plus p&p, but can be delivered to the Swanage convention.

PRESERVATION

BO'NESS 126 While Lancastrian Carriage & Wagon have still not resumed work on the power cars at Heysham, good progress is being made on TCK 59404 at Bo'ness. The ceiling formica has been fitted to all seven compartments and wall formica to the four second class compartments and the corridor. A contractor is due in to fit new lino and then the fitting of newly re-upholstered sets (with original pattern moquette) will begin. The vehicle has been moved to the workshop area of the newly opened museum building, which has greatly improved working conditions. It also allows the restoration to continue in full view of the public and has allowed extensive interpretation of the work and is a great publicity opportunity, with the Class 126 display boards sited beside. All four Class 126 vehicles have to completed by Christmas 2003, the HLF grant deadline, work on the fourth vehicle buffet car 79443 has yet to commence. This vehicle is a gutted shell, even the floor has gone, and the remains of the shell are severely corroded needing extensive replating and replacement of framework. It could easily be viewed as the most ambitious DMU restoration to date. The possibility of moving it to the Midland Railway Centre for the work to be carried out is being investigated.

DERBY LIGHTWEIGHT - MRC A recent working party has saw work in DMBS 79018 concentrate on the ceiling area in preparation for fitting the ceiling panels. Plywood strips have been fitted to the top hat sections where the ceiling panels join, and conduit fitted for the wiring to begin.

DMU GROUP (WEST MIDLANDS) Work has commenced on completing the repaints started before the running season. While sanding down the number area of the drivers side of 51941, the first number found underneath were a white vinyl set from the livery it was delivered to the SVR in. However sanding further it was found that under this was another set of white vinyl numbers but these comprised 51921. 

Further sanding found green paint next, again with 51921, and then another green layer with 51921. So what had happened? A quick search found that 51921 was withdrawn in Oct. '70 and cut up a few months later at Derby Works. Looking at the bufferbeam there were two large welds on the inside of the drivers-side buffers. Further sanding of the bodyside revealed that there had been extensive replacement of lower panels on the drivers side (there was only blue paint - no green underneath).

It seems that at least 51921/41 were accident damaged and one good vehicle was made from the remains of others, with at least the drivers side solebar being replaced. If anyone can supply further information on this, particularly on how they were damaged, it would be appreciated. Just to confuse matters a little: while 51921 (lot no. 30601) was built as a power/trailer set, 51941 (also lot no. 30601) was built to form a power twin with 52056 (lot no. 30660). On 51941's replacement solebar the works plate is from lot no. 30660. Are there parts of others on it?

 

EARM 108 DTC 56491 has had a light rub down and a coat of varnish just before going on hire to Bressingham for their Thomas event. The vehicle was returned in time for the EARM Thomas event, by which time pioneer 108 50599 was transformed from undercoat to topcoat and lined as new, without whiskers or yellow panel.

The choice of green was also as new, DMU green. This vehicle differed from later vehicles in that the 's' bend of the top lining to pass the cab windows is less severe and this has been replicated as original as possible.

TELFORD 104 Work has continued on the bodywork of 53531, with the fabrication and welding in of new metalwork to replace the missing/rusty bits. With the bodywork sanded down and primed, the roof sealed and woodwork cut ready for the interior, steady progress was being made. Sadly, Frank Nicholas has been struck down by illness. Hopefully this will not keep him down for too long, so he can get back to doing some serious (DMU) work. 53479 is currently in use as a dry timber store, with all the repaired/new woodwork for 53531 laid out ready for installation.

59228 has had the rotten flooring removed prior to fitting a new version, minus woodrot and woodworm. The roofs on both 59228 and 53556 have been scraped and rubbed down with a coat of micaceous iron oxide applied to keep the weather at bay. 

• 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.com

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.

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