ISSUE 80 - OCTOBER 2002

The Telford Steam Railway have asked us to withdrawn the statement about them in the last issue.

Saturday 16th November is the deadline for Issue 81 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. As is now customary, at the meeting we will decide on the hosts for the 2004 convention. Do we have any volunteers?

NEWS

"MANY A SLIP..... " by Tony Fox Just when we thought that Longsight's Met-Camms would finally be released for well earned retirement at the end of 2002, the Western Morning News (30 September 2002) has reported a potential show-stopper.

Following the transfer of three Class 158s to sister company Central Trains, Wessex Trains (owned by National Express) have a shortage of stock to run branch line services in Cornwall. Wessex have submitted an RPP bid to the SRA for two more Class 153s, but none is available from elsewhere in the country for several months. So, taking Class 101s when they are withdrawn from Longsight is one of the options being considered. The two branches in question are Liskeard-Looe and Par-Newquay, both old Class 101 stamping grounds.

General reaction in Cornwall is reportedly not good, to say the least - except for one body which sees virtue in operating refurbished, well maintained heritage units as tourist attractions on the two lines, both very scenic in their different ways. Well, well, well! More details at www.westernmorningnews.co.uk.

SUPPLIERS

MECHANICAL WORK LH Group Services still overhaul DMU engines (including 680s) for 'the big railway' as well as final drives, bogies and other mechanical components. They are mostly self-sufficient, having their our own Machining Shop (Engine Blocks, Cylinder Heads, Cranks etc.), Fabrication and Welding Plant and Powder Coating and Paint Plant which keeps costs down.

Although we are always trying to seek further business we also understand that we need to keep old skills going and small part suppliers in business.

Contact Paul Smith - Contract Manager (Rail). Tel. 01283 722600, 0788 4440044. Address: Barton Under Needwood, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, DE13 8EN.

WARNING FLASHES Kevin Dowd is about to get a batch of the original type single stroke over head live wire warning flashes made. These are the plastic screw on type as fitted in the early 1960s. The more he can get done, the cheaper each item should be! Contact Kevin ASAP.

MOQUETTE Allan Schofield, owner of the Class 110 on the East Lancs Railway, is interested in getting a batch of first class moquette manufactured for the unit. The material is a blue shell pattern. Because of the minimum order quantities, it is only feasible as joint order with other groups. If you are interested please contact Allan at SCUDFIELD@aol.com. 

PRESERVATION

DENBIGH & MOLD 103 Richard Thornton has submitted this update on M56160 at Bodfari. Since arriving, the car has been primed and undercoated, the steam pipe fitted by the Battlefield Rly. has been removed, and the direct admission & cylinder release valves replaced. Couplings, vac bags and dummies have been fitted, and some glazing done. A large amount of filler has been removed from the drivers corner of the cab (rain was getting behind it) to reveal substantial collision damage - anyone know where or when this happened?

The poor condition of the vehicle has attracted much interest from the local Council, and so efforts have been cosmetic rather than structural. As soon as they have been pacified, M50397 will be moving from Coventry.

A large number of the roof panel rivets have failed, and work is progressing on replacing these, and making the vehicle weatherproof. If any group has any information on, or parts for a Park Royal, we would be very grateful for any help.

RAILCAR ENTERPRISES Brian Smith has submitted these details of their goings on at the Mid-Norfolk.

Class 122 55006 - The progress on painting slowed down towards the end of last year. At last we have now restarted and the last side has been rubbed down and two topcoats have been applied. Lining and lettering is now underway and should be completed soon. The No.2 Smiths heater has developed an earth fault so this will need to be sorted in time for the winter. A 'B' Exam is now due this month.

Class 108 51572 & 54224 - These have soldiered on throughout the summer proving to be fairly reliable despite a non-standard No.1 engine on the DMC(L). The replacement drivers door on the trailer car has now been painted to match the NSE livery instead of being blue & grey. Due to the units high mileage a 'C' Exam has recently been carried out with very little 'work arising' following it.

Class 117 51360 - The bulk of the mechanical work on this vehicle is now complete. The No.2 bogie was exchanged a while back and also No.2 exhauster needed replacement. Other than a full repaint (currently underway) and a heavy clean this car is progressing well and should be ready to go into traffic next year. It is hoped to pair this with the Class 108 DMC 51572; both painted in rail blue with full yellow ends.

Class 119 51073 - Work on this car started but has now been suspended to allow the restoration of 51360 to proceed. However we are intending to do some more on this to keep the metal worm at bay until we can return to do some more substantial repairs. Most of the replacement parts have now been sourced. At this point I would like to ask for help. I'm sure that several years ago there was an article in 'Rail' Magazine about the Class 119s concerning their operation from Reading Depot. I think it listed their 'depot applied' names and their condition at the time. I have scanned through my copies of Rail but am unable to find it. Can anyone remember it and give me the copy no. or better still a copy of the article please?

Class 111 59575 - The buffet is another job currently 'on the back burner'. A nice set of gangways has now been acquired as have most of the other missing parts. We plan to make a start next year on the exterior and also to change all six doors as these are totally shot. This too will probably go into rail blue, the last livery it carried although she did make it into blue-grey. Another request for information; does anyone know when the inside was re-organised with 116 double seats and Mk1 tables? Was this on the Keighley & Worth Valley? Has anyone got any photos from that time or during BR days? Any info would be appreciated.

Final question. During a recent survey of our engines (and we have 680s & 1595s) I noticed that most of them carry a painted yellow square on the crankcase next to the flywheel. I'm led to believe that this may be to do with the type of studs fitted to take the L11 type head. Can anyone throw any light on this as there is only reference to a red square in the documentation that I have?

Finally - If any of you are in the Norfolk area and wish to come and see Mike and myself you will be most welcome. Its useful to ring either of us first and bring your overalls! Brian Smith mobile 07714614399, e-mail family.smith75@btopenworld.com. Mike Evans mobile 07974724853.

 

CHURNET VALLEY 104 The externally restored 2-car set was put on display during the lines diesel gala (28/29th Sept) at Consall station loop.

DMU GROUP (WEST MIDLANDS) The numbering anomalies found during the repainting of the Class 108 continue. On the DMC 52064 the area between the two first class windows on the secondmans side was sanded down to look for the original green era numbers. There were none! They were found (two layers) in a non-standard position under the leading window. Furthermore they were not centred, but offset to the left. The new numbers have been put back in this same place - it was not the painter having an off day! The mammoth repaint was completed in time for the set to operate on the line's diesel gala.

• 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.

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.

ANSWERS

In response to the appeal for a piston for a Clayton Dewandre compressor - this is an oddball 10cu ft compressor which is no longer produced. The piston assembly was Clayton Part No APSA/81. The rings were Clayton Part No P/3103 x 4 off & P/3127 x 1 off. These were purchased by Clayton Dewandre from Hepworth & Grandage who I think come from Sunderland. I don't know if they are still around. If not you could try AE pistons - Leeds or Ferraris Piston Services - Sheffield. Also Westwood Commercials in Hornsea carry a good stock of old Clayton Parts. Good look in your search. Regards, Kevin Cooper (WABCO).

APPEAL

"We have decided after much consideration that we would really like to live in a converted railway carriage. This has met with comments which range from "Wow what a brilliant idea" to "Are you mad?!". Having looked at much info on-line we have come to the conclusion that we are not totally mad (I must make admission however for a few mad tendencies!), as other people seem to do similar. Our problem, however, is finding a piece of land/track/siding/disused railway on which to site the carriages. We would ideally like to site two carriages using the second as a restaurant. We would be happy to buy or lease the land and had thought that your readership may be able to assist. We would be grateful to hear from anyone who may be able to help or who has ideas or information that may help in our quest. We are currently located in Hertfordshire but would consider other areas. Thank you for your kind attention. Linda and Mike Jones. E-mail linda@jones8544.fsnet.co.uk. 

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