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ISSUE 81 - NOVEMBER 2002
Saturday 14th December is the deadline for Issue 82 of The Railcar. . Submissions to editor@railcar.co.uk.
TRA
ANNUAL DMU CONVENTION Read all about it!
PRESERVATION
DEAN FOREST DMU GROUP The Group have recently been attending to two of the aluminium roofs on their 108's. They first had them sandblasted by an outside contractor (eight hours a roof to remove the bitumen), then followed by a day on each roof with power cup-brush cleaners. They were then painted with two coats of aluminium primer, followed by undercoat, and then coats of grey gloss to finish.
M51914 and M56495 now look very smart from the application of many hours of hard work and paint, and costed out somewhere in the region of £500 per vehicle. It has been noted that the temperature difference on the roof, between black and grey, is phenomenal. It is hoped that this will help stop the rivets from regularly popping out on the roof sheet seams in the future!
MID-HANTS RAILWAY W55003 is now stood down on the MHR. We shall be undertaking a full B exam in the near future. No problems are expected to be found though. Loadings on the MHR were so good towards the end of the 2002 season that L721 had to take the place of W55003 on certain occasions.
W51400 has been fully painted, lined out, numbered and has had all transfers applied to the No. 2 side and front. Lining etc. courtesy of Gary Austin, ace painter
NLR. The No 1 side remains in undercoat grey. The roof has been completely stripped down and repainted even the 'centurions helmets' have received a coat of gloss black. It also has received a small yellow warning panel and blue square markers applied to the front. The doors have had the internal panels cleaned and the drop light mechanisms greased and oiled as required.
- 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
PA Equipment - Just before Jim McWilliam closed down his scrapyard, I robbed an EMU or two of bits for a PA system. I have approx :- 50 speakers, 4 receiving amplifiers (whiteley electronics BR cat no 52/4004), 2 telephone type transmitters (westinghouse rail type C115M), 2 loudaphones. We are now going down a different route with our pa system and therefore have all the above for sale. Any offers for a christmas bargain. Dean Forest DMU Group
Injectors - New injectors for Leyland 680 engines. BR part no. 15-77004. £18 each plus postage/carriage. Contact David Aldridge (55000) 01626 879453.
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
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.
HELP!
Bearing - I have recently restored an ex Irish Rail loco which is fitted with a vacuum brake system the same as your first generation railcars. Unfortunately, one of the exhausters has seized. I have traced the problem to a broken vane, which I have been able to replace, and a damaged front bearing. Do any of you have a spare front (roller) bearing for a Clayton Dewandre rotary exhauster REGA 242-1? Naturally I am willing to pay costs. Colin Holliday, e-mail comber.irishchuffer@virgin.net
Rubber material - We have had an enquiry from a group looking for the dotted rubber material found on the lower body panels of some vehicles, normally a navy blue material. Does anyone where new supplies of this can be obtained? Editor.
Formica - Pressed Steel Heritage's bubble car 55033
has lightish, woodgrain formica under the orange stuff in the
passenger saloon bulkheads. This was heavily scored at refurb time and
must be replaced or re-covered. It cannot be left exposed as it
stands.
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Question is, was this woodgrain formica the ACTUAL original? There is a school of thought that it isn't and that an off-white linen check type formica may have been used in new vehicles (as still exists in the cabs). We want to be as near-original as possible. Plus, we're uncertain of the side panel finishes - were they in the same pattern/colour as the bulkheads? And were side panels the same from cant-rail to floor, or were there two finishes, separated at window lower edge level? We know the truth is out there! Can anyone help with memories, colour photographs or other proof of the true story, please? Info. on Class 117 interiors might also give us a steer. Tony Fox 01379 586472. |