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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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Wirksworth Goes Green
The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway is having an operating weekend on the 30th and 31st August where stock in green liveries will be operating both Ravenstor and Idridgehay lines, creating a very 1960's feel. They plan to run the Class 121 DTS, Class 122 DMBS Bubble and Derby Lightweight Iris. These will be joined by Class 20 001 and 03 locomotives.


Nene Valley 117
The Nene Valley railway is looking to dispose of it's 117 set 51347 / 59508 / 51401. Any interested parties please contact the General Manager Cris Rees on 01780 784444 or cris.r@nvr.org.uk.


Blue Lenses
Ritchie Marcus (Battlefield) has had a batch of the 1 inch diameter blue glass lenses for the cab engine and air/axle light fittings made from  glass from the original patterns, and is offering these for sale. They cost £5 each, inclusive of VAT and postage. Contact him at rjmarcus@doctors.org.uk


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


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.


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.