Latest gallery updates

Added 18th April


Added 12th April


Added 12th March


"...communication, co-operation, preservation..."

The Railcar Association is formed of owners of preserved multiple units. This site is dedicated to the history, technology and preservation of first generation DMUs.
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DMU Doors
Some DMU doors have been unearthed on the  Swindon & Cricklade Railway which are believed may be from 101 and 107s, and are in tidy to poor condition, some pictures are here. Unfortunately, they need to be disposed of, they are 'free to a good home' but need to be collected in the next  3 weeks. Anyone interested should contact Jim Poor.


The EMRPS has now done charters at both Llangollen and Churnet Valley featuring DMUs, so some of the results here
http://www.ianloasbytransportphotography.co.uk/c1444819.html
http://www.ianloasbytransportphotography.co.uk/c1455056.html


Llangollen DMU Gala - May 17th & 18th
Details of the Llangollen Railway DMU gala for May are now available and can be accessed on their website at www.LlangollenRailcars.com, including the identity of a special visitor which will run only that weekend. The timetables will be added next week.


Manuals
Further technical documents have been added, thanks to the Bachmann sponsorship. There's a document on Brake Percentages, Training Diagrams, Assembly of the R14 Gearbox and a Clayton Dewandre Compressor manual.


Site Sponsorship
The past year or so my limited free time has only allowed the occasional gallery updates. There are still many more pictures that have been submitted that await to be added (and I'll still welcome more!), and I'll add these when I can.

This month's sponsorship from Bachmann Europe has allowed me to work on other areas of the site, and I've chosen to concentrate on adding more technical information. I've amassed many technical documents over the years and hopefully by adding them to the site they will be of use to other preservationists. I've started with the alternator / dynamo section which has now had a revamp, and I've scanned in quite a batch of documents relating to these. Hopefully I can attract further sponsorship and continue working in this way.


TRA Convention 2008 - a date for your diaries!
The thirteenth DMU Convention in 2008 is to be hosted jointly by the East Anglian Railway Museum (Chappel & Wakes Colne) and Colne Valley Railway (Castle Hedingham) over the weekend of 25/26 October. Organisers are Mark Cornell (DUPA) and Tony Fox (PSH).
Attractions: EARM - Classes 101 and 108 in operation and on display CVR - Class 121 Bubble Car + trailer and Class 141 in operation, AC Cars Railbus on display Heritage bus display at CVR Heritage bus service between the two railway centres, which are approximately 10 miles apart. Travel by mainline rail services all the way to Chappel & Wakes Colne. Hopefully visiting DMUs will also feature, perhaps a surprise or two...
Further details will be announced in early 2008.


Wickham Yahoo! Group
Jonathan Flood has started up a new Yahoo! Group, discussing all things Wickham – Railcars, Railbuses, DMUs, Trolleys, Trailers etc. It's at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WickhamofWare.


Video Clips
As video clips are nearly as common on the internet nowadays on the likes of You Tube, then perhaps DMU clips should also be listed here? If anyone wants to send in links, send them to here (links only, no clips/files!).
This one - Vehicles stored at Thornton Junction including 101s, 120s and the Mexican Bean unit.
This one - Class 101 51188 and 51505 2-car unit + bubble car 55006 arrive into Wirksworth simultaneously.
This one - Class 101 51188 and 51505 2-car unit + Class 117 51360 and Class 108 56224 leave Wirksworth together.
This one - Fire drill onboard M55006.


Power Car For Hire?
The Nene Valley Railway are looking to hire a Blue Square power car, to allow it's 117 power cars to come out of traffic for overhaul. If you have one available contact Alan Whenman at whenny@homecall.co.uk or murray.b@nvr.org.uk.


101 Cab
A cab cut off from a 101 is available for sale, needs to be moved asap. Contact Carl on 01656 740262 or Carl.Hookings@ntlworld.com for details.


Wickham Railbus
The former Elliot High Speed Track Recording railbus, now fitted out for passenger use, is available for visiting other railways. It's normally based on the Middleton Railway, details about the vehicle can be found at www.wickham-railbus.org.uk


Metalastic Bushes
These are used in the mounts of most Leyland 680 / AEC engines. Two fit on the engine, and two on the vehicle. A new batch of these have just been made, and available in sets of four at a cost of £115 (including VAT and P&P). There are just eight sets available, if you are interested please contact  stuartsellar @ blueyonder.co.uk.


Yahoo Groups
For those that are not aware of the Yahoo DMU groups available, the main ones are:
101DMU - "This group is for anyone interested in Class 101s (Metro-Cammell built diesel railcars). Anything relevant to these trains is welcome. Other types of first generation DMU are also acceptable. Report all your sightings, and share news, information, photos and opinions." 
1st-gen - "1st-gen is a forum for owners and operators of 1st-generation DMUs (and anyone else interested). Particular topics are requests for information / technical help and parts for sale / wanted."
mueg - "MUEG is an E-mail group for people interested in Multiple units of all types, ie EMU DMU DEMU. We cover both old and modern, and also heritage railways which these are used on."
Blue Pullmans - "A group for anyone interested in the erstwhile British Rail Blue Pullman sets which operated between London and Manchester / Birmingham / South Wales."
Thumpergroup - "News, views and latest information on ex-BR Class 201, 205, 207 and 210 DEMU's, also Northern Ireland '80' and 'castle' class DEMU's - all carrying English Electric 4SRKT engines."
Wickham Of Ware - discussing all things Wickham – Railcars, Railbuses, DMUs, Trolleys, Trailers etc. 

Acknowledgements: Many thanks are due to the many contributors to this site. Particular thanks are due to John Joyce (Llangollen Railway) and Mac Winfield (Dean Forest Railway), and to the NMSI for the use of the Class 114 image.

Copyright information: The written material on this site may be freely copied and distributed provided the source and original contributor (if applicable) are acknowledged. All pictures remain the copyright of the photographers. The copyright for the Class 114 image used in TRA emblem remains with the NMSI.