The Railcar Association News Bulletin

November 2019

ISSUE 156 EDITORIAL somewhat of a novelty! In many ways over five miles each way. The line is It was great seeing friendly faces at the this was much overdue, as the North varied with a distinct gradient bias one three DMU events that have occurred Eastern Region of British Railways way, requiring control of speed in one since the previous bulletin: at made extensive use of first generation direction and power in the other. The Llangollen, and East Lancs. railcars, with enormous 4-car (and 8- high power to weight ratio of a single That is it now it for railcar events until car) sets becoming a trademark for the unit ensured the route was tackled with 2020, although the winter will prove region. This story is under-represented ease, first gear not even being required useful for many groups getting deferred in preservation, so it was fitting to at to accelerate away from low speed maintenance completed before the last to gather in this spectacular area of restrictions. The route was peppered onslaught of the next running season. the country. with bridges, curves, level crossings Look out for the Railcar of the Year and other features with a variety of award which will be advertised on the The traction available was similar in speed restrictions imposed on them, website in early December, as always format to the previous year's creating a driver experience with plenty its just for fun and free to participate. convention: a single unit and a 2-car to do and think about. Another unusual Lastly the next issue of the bulletin will set, in this case of classes 122 and 108 (in preservation terms) feature was the be a slightly special one for two respectively. Notable was the 108 radio signalling system with no moving reasons: one good and one not so which was making its first passenger signals (semaphore or colour light), the good! runs on the Weardale Line, following line instead being controlled by "one protracted heavy maintenance work man and his laptop", communicating via 2019 CONVENTION after an extended period of use and radio at the correct points which stop Introduction relocation from the Bodmin & Wenford This year's annual gathering for Railcar Railway. This created a mix of low and Association members took place at the high density designs, with the classic in , Derby front end in common. with activities being centred on Stanhope Station. This was the first Friday time the Weardale Railway had hosted The customary driver experience trips the event, although they have had took place using the section of line DMU's based on their line since 2001. It between Stanhope Station and Scotch was the first time the convention had Isle Loop (where the main depot is been hosted in the North East, the situated) using Class 122 'Bubble Car' tangerine coloured BR signs being E55012, covering a distance of just boards the driver has permission to pass.

Eight round trips were operated with a variety of participants, most indulging in a round trip each. The flag was well and truly flown with the President, Chairman and Secretary of the association all booking for a drive! Between runs, members talked in the pleasantly heated passenger saloon, with the occasional comment on driving technique aimed at participants as they More work is needed on the Class 108 Saturday on an "out and back" basis by passed through changing ends! The to bring it up to the same level as the rail. The line is so long that only a station buffet at Stanhope was manned Class 122 which the line has relied on handful of round trips can be made by and providing all the required food and for most of its services the past 5 years, each unit, and vehicles are moving for drink for the day. A common feature of nevertheless the 108 has been longer periods of time than most other the driver experience days is being able improved greatly since it arrived, with of heritage lines. As a result, much of the to experience the railway without the course much of the progress being socialising would be on the units hustle and bustle of the main event on invisible, concerning the mechanicals themselves whilst travelling up or down the following day, where there are so underneath. the valley. The trick was catching many people to meet to chat to! people that were on the other unit! The two train service operated all day, Saturday as the railway does not an operational Once again lunch was centred around Saturday saw the public part of the steam locomotive at present the the station buffet at Stanhope, as this event begin, with the railway timetable was able to be 100% was where the bulk of the railway's commencing a 2-train DMU service for dominated by the railcars. For those amenities were located. For those the first time. It was also the first who wishing to attend the event by rail requiring to attend the AGM the opportunity to ride on the ex Bodmin connections were available at Bishop timetable allowed for at least one full Railway Class 108 which had been out Auckland (which has hourly trains from trip to be made in the morning, followed of service for over a year being brought Darlington), and indeed this option was by a half trip after lunch, not bad for up to passenger carrying standards. taken by some members attending such a long route! Formal Meeting media hype. Thorough risk the level of wear that the set had The formal meeting (AGM) was held in assessments in most cases were experienced. a Caledonian Sleeper lounge car of all allowing many things to go on the same places! Whilst this arrangement may with only minor alterations. Balance The next presentation was History of have been a bit of a squeeze at some was needed between copying the "big the Weardale Line by John Asquith, conventions, the modest meeting railway" and keeping the hobby alive in also of the Weardale Railway Trust. His attendance of 22 meant the coach was a format that it is still worth giving up interesting narrative took the line from perfect in terms of capacity. The time for in the first place. its construction, reason for building and heating, so cosy it had to be turned off life under BR through to the part way through, was in stark contrast Apologies included Steve Beck, Kevin preservation society being formed in to the arctic condition's of last year's Dowd, Ben Field, Mike Grimwood, John 1993. DMU's had been a part of the meeting space! Joyce, Chris Lings, Ritchie Marcus, story since 1955, although the last Bruce Pollard & Nigel Smith. passenger services to The meeting began with the opening finished in 1953. The line was kept remarks from Chairman, Paul Moxon, The first presentation was a welcome open by cement trains to Eastgate who commented on a "normal" year but from the Weardale Railway by Kevin Works until 1993. Post preservation, with the anticipation of the "pacer Richardson, Chairman of the Weardale DMU's returned in the form of Class revolution". More legislation was Railway Trust. He explained about the 141 units in 2001 which lasted until coming in and members were warned railway in its current form and the 2018 when they were scrapped. More not to be drawn in too much by the paradox of having a 16 mile railway run recently, first generation types had with only 30 active volunteers. A been favoured. weekend only operation was run relying on the Class 122 bubble car. His talk The next presentation was Chris centred on the DMU's (for our benefit) Moxon's usual Round-up of the Year. and it was explained how they had There had been no additions for the sought out a 2-car set to support the second year running, although Classes single unit which was running out of 142, 143 & 144 were expected before capacity at certain events. The long. One vehicle had been disposed of ex-Bodmin 108 was sourced but its (a 117 DMBS) with a further eight on condition was well below what was the "at risk" list. Five vehicles, of expected. Some brakeblocks were classes 108, 115 & 117 had moved to shown to members which emphasised new homes, with a further four (of classes 117 & 121) moved as part of GWR railcars to emerge, although owners themselves, although obviously contract restoration works. In terms of these are the most well known there working together was a theme. restorations and overhauls, seven new were a string of other designs and projects had been started whilst three experiments through the 1920's & One item questioned was the bemusing major and 11 minor projects had been 1930's that contributed. Post second article published by the normally neutral finished. Overall, the number of world war economies created the right Railway Magazine, stating that the preserved railcars had decreased conditions required for BR to back a preserved DMU world could be slightly and the number operational lightweight design of train for cost threatened by the arrival of the Pacers examples also decreased. The number cutting railways that needed to survive next year. Members were questioned of restorations underway remained into the future, and the lightweight over whether anyone had given any constant. The presentation ended with trains committee was born which, in statements on behalf of the association, a final note that after many years of essence, created the first generation nobody had, so we are none the wiser slow decline, exactly 50% of the DMU fleet as we know them today. as to where their information to publish preserved railcars in the UK were in an From the inception of the committee in that story originated from. On the operational state, some may say we 1951 to having large fleets being contrary, the almost open hatred of the have reached a 50/50 tipping point? produced from 1954 is an exceptional Pacer fleet by most of the boards of How future "clearouts" and scrappings, achievement by any standards. directors of traditional heritage railways plus the preservation of operational would ensure they had little chance of second generation vehicles, affects this Less formal discussion followed usurping the mush more "steam figure remains to be seen with interest. concerning a variety of technical topics friendly" first generation fleets. The view including the Office of Rail and Road's of the floor was that the second The next preservation was a historical concern on the continued use of generation units would probably be interest item by Evan Green-Hughes, droplight windows. Several members preserved elsewhere and prove more of looking at the origins of the first already had experience of what an addition rather than a threat. Second generation DMU. The start was a move heritage railways were doing right now generation units follow similar at the turn of the 20th century to to combat the recommendations, and maintenance regimes to their older experiment with internal combustion advise concerning correct signage, risk counterparts and as existing second versions of the steam railmotor. The assessments etc was given. At the generation knowledge already exists limits of the early petrol engines limited moment, most of the work required within the organisation (reference Evan the technical advances until the 1930's (such as reviewing lineside structures Green Hughes!) future owners would when diesel engines became etc) was more appropriate for the host do well to join in as the first generation sufficiently powerful for the likes of the heritage lines rather than the DMU owners have. A further item concerned bogie to Stanhope as the light turned to dark. 2020 CONVENTION overhauls by a firm which will be looked The earlier start time was selected as The next convention will be held at the into by committee members in more such good feedback was received Mid Norfolk Railway. It will celebrate a detail. It is a new firm offering set price when this was trialled at the Epping & quarter of a century of groups overhauls and they are willing to move Ongar event last year. gathering, which brings the possibility of into DMU bogies if the demand is there. doing "a few extras". Plans are being Previous struggles getting DMU bogie Sunday made for the possibility of some overhauls through Most members headed home on the branded merchandise provided there is machine shows meant this was Saturday evening however further demand for it to celebrate the 25 year certainly worth looking at at least. A running was enjoyed with the Class 108 milestone. spin off conversation started from this & 122 on the Sunday, which also topic concerning new defects we are allowed those who were engaged on The date for the convention has yet to now seeing and how the maintenance the Saturday to also join. Although not be confirmed but the 2nd-4th October regimes should be reviewed where part of the event, a small party of six 2020 has been requested. Traction will possible to reflect that we are still members headed to the Wensleydale centre around the Mid Norfolk Railway's current given our railcars are now that Railway on their way back south as Class 101 collection, with the possibility much older. their Class 121 bubble car was also by of a visitor if the arrangements are chance in operation on ordinary possible. There will of course be an Members were then thanked and sent services. extended and much developed railway on their way by the hosts and to play on following all the Chairman, in good time for the Fish & achievements that the railway has Chip special! made since we last visited almost 20 years ago! Fish & Chip Special The traditional fish and chip special NEWS departed at 17:45 for a return trip to Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway: We , again connecting with changed the cylinder head gaskets on a Network Rail service for those one of Class 126 Sc51017’s engines heading home by rail. A choice of about 18 months ago, following a sausage or fish with chips was enjoyed, problem with water in the oil. As the unit cooked in house at Stanhope. The saw a lot of use in service last year, the Class 108 was used and headed back engine was checked by opening the sump plugs and draining out a little of Class 104 50454/50528 is in traffic, and Class 109 50416/56171 stands the contents. Unfortunately we again handled quite a few of the late season serviceable after sharing the late found water and emulsified oil in the midweeks after the gala. Now stopped season trains with the 104. sump. Fault finding shall continue... for an 'M' exam over the Winter. Class 127/108 51618/56223 is in the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway: shed for the Winter. The next area of Railbus M79964 has returned to service bodywork on 51618 is being tackled, following extensive repairs to the adjacent to the guard's van. Although doorways and is now back in service the framing in the area isn't as bad as running winter duties allowing the Class expected, the cantrail in the guard's van 101 set a rest. area is decidedly worse for wear.

North Norfolk Railway: The “main” Class 101 set (E51228/E56062) has spent the end of the season out of traffic following prolonged repairs to a water pump on E51228. All services Class 108 51933/54504. The trailer cab have therefore been provided recently has received some attention after the by “secondary” set M51188/M56352 gala, after one of our members couldn't which has been performing admirably. resist prying off what turned out to be a Once weekend November duties are large lump of resin in the front. Some completed, there will be no more other patch repairs to the cab were booked DMU running until February followed by a fresh coat of green with which will give both sets a rest. Llangollen Railway: First of all, thanks small yellow warning panel. The to those who turned out to the gala. We bufferbeam took a large amount of North Yorkshire Moors Railway: were blessed with unseasonably good needle gunning to achieve a condition Daisy performed all her rostered duties weather, which may have helped. worth painting - the years beside the and did a few extra runs due to non Despite lacking a visitor this time, the sea seem to have affected it particularly availability of steam heat loco's. Next tail loads and associated shunting at badly. We finally have a complete seat duties are 26/12 to 1/1 inclusive on a each provoked some interest. ready to refit the mystery missing one in two trip Pickering based diagram. Due 51933. to various works for Yorkshire's Magnificent Journey there is no half moved out of the restoration tent before glazing is completed, we will have a term running in February next year. New Year, so a lot of work is being put vehicle with it's “face” back, and we into realising this aim. The bodysides move onto phase 2: the middle saloon. Strathspey Railway: Under restoration along the first class section have been Class 117 centre car 59511 made non- fully painted now and are in green Class 114 50019 (Butterley): With all passenger carrying test runs within the gloss. At the cab end the new laser cut the metalwork fitted and welded into Class 117 set during November, sheets have been welded into place, place, the finishing of the brake van making it a 3-car for the first time in new compound corners fabricated to area gets closers, both guards doors preservation. replace the rotten ones and also need new timber thresholds and the welded in. This done, the fibreglass roof chequer-plate sheets have been dome was fitted and the cab is now in cleaned up and are ready to be refitted. the process of being painted to match There are a lot of finishing off jobs to the bodysides. Once final painting and do, but light fittings, luggage racks and assorted trim is slowly being fitted elsewhere in the vehicle, all the seat frames have been cleaned, repaired and repainted, the day we extract all the cushions from store isn’t far away. The vehicle has had a new set of batteries.

Class 114 56006 (Butterley): 56006 has had some small bits of trim fitted in the cab and the last few electrical repairs completed in the cab. The vehicle has had a new set of batteries, RESTORATION NEWS the best of the displaced batteries being Class 104 56182 (North Norfolk): donated to the 115 trailer car. The past few months has seen dramatic progress around the front Class 115 51669 (Butterley): With 1/3rd of the vehicle. The aim is to have tarpaulins covering it, being parked at the exterior completed, watertight and the end of a siding, would appear no work is taking place, however, it was has identified several areas of further E&G 79443 (Bo'ness): Sc79443 was known prior to purchase that one of the corrosion in the usual places however. again in the goods shed at Bo'ness for engines wouldn’t rotate 360 degrees, Also found behind the seats removed the summer work week in mid-July. this engine has had the cylinder heads from M59659 was some depot Much useful work was done, with the removed to enable investigation of the artwork... nothing rude for a change! installation of the floor plates for the issue. The cylinder heads have been "fixed" buffet furniture perhaps being sent away to local specialist for the most significant and visible. This refurbishment, the engine now rotates establishes all the datum freely and we are attempting to locate measurements for the very some headgaskets/injector seals and characteristic furniture and much associated items to enable this engine checking and rechecking was carried to be put back together. This vehicle out before we committed to welding in has a long way to go before running but the plates to eliminate any possible a start has been made. error. Continuing with interior preparation for fitting out, the heater Class 115 59659 (Butterley): With Class 117 59511 (Strathspey): Interior ducting support strips were fitted and welding work awaiting the welders work continues. The vehicle has also the weld lines ground down. These will torch, attention has turned to the inside, now run with its powercars, which is a eventually be hidden behind the thin to enable work to continue in the dark great step forwards (see News section). formica/hardboard wall panels. Many of the lighting circuits have been checked the studs required to fit the interior over, a set of batteries fitted, with some timber framework are missing or had to old cable theft damage repaired, we be cut off as they were bent. We have a full set of working lights. welded on replacement studs above the Attention next month will turn to the windows on the corridor side from the heating system to see if we can keep compartment. Exterior bodywork saw ourselves warm while working through more rubbing down, washing and the winter. All the seats have been painting of the bodywork, including removed to storage to enable the work painting over of the last of the maroon to continue, all of the wooden window paint applied when the buffet was used frames are being removed, stripped of as a stationary buffet on the North paint and cleaned and varnished, with Yorkshire Moors Railway. Other work at least 6 coats of varnish, this work done included cutting out the last of the rotten metal panels at No.2 end. The some of our existing chairs and table Class 120 – Duffield – 7/77 metal on the end panels (2mm) is was made. All legs, seats and tables slightly thicker than the bodysides will be cleaned then put in place as a Class 124 – Liverpool Lime Street (1.6mm) due to the ends' higher mock-up to give an idea of what the exposure to corrosion from driven rain. open seated area will look like when “Modern” We only had time to repair the lower restored. One seat and table leg have Class 101 L830 – Upminster – 14/6/92 corroded section of one of the 4 been take off-site to show to firms substantial crash pillars at No.2 end. quoting to make replacements. We need to replace such sections Class 101 – Greenhill one-by-one to retain the remaining MOVEMENTS structural integrity, but the entire area is A vehicle believed to be Class 117 142070 – Grindleford – 6/87 prepared for finishing on our next work DMBS 51354 arrived at the West week, hopefully in February 2020. With Somerset Railway in October from a SUBMISSIONS the buffet vehicle back in the museum private site. An announcement giving Hopefully the contents of this bulletin building after the Work Week, interior more information is “promised soon” was both interesting and informative. If joinery work has been progressing and according to an unofficial WSR source. you know anyone who could provide we have been busy removing old similar material found in this issue for varnish from compartment bulkhead TIME TRAVELLER future bulletins, please make yourself or veneer panels in Sc79443 - this task is them known to [email protected] The nearing completion. A trial fitting of Blue Era following types of submission would be Class 101 – Newcastle – 19/10/74 most welcome:  Photographs of vehicles in Class 104 – Bolton – 5/70 service  Restoration articles Class 105 E56124 – Peterborough –  Reports on special events 13/11/76  Articles on DMU history  Recollections of DMUs on the Blue/Grey Era national network. Class 101 51446 – Cheltenham – Feel free to send submissions at any 23/6/88 time to [email protected] but no later than December 29th for Issue 157 (due Class 108 M51565 – Croston – 27/7/85 out January). GALLERY

51397 now undercover, 15/9/19 (S.Godber)

51367/59511/51402 as a 3-car, 1/11/19. (B.Faulkner)

M50203/M50266 in service for the Great Centrals “Last Hurrah” gala, 16/11/19 The unique 105 set shines in the sun, 10/11/19 (F.Richards) 55005/51131 pause at Shenton, 7/9/19 (K.Felstead)

M51941 leads a four car set inside the carriage shed at Kidderminster, all Class 108 vehicles awaiting attention in the Severn Valley’s carriage works. All have been withdrawn from service for the 2019 season and repairs are expected to take further time. 5/10/19 (M.Miller)

W51859 leads the sole operational Class 115 set out of Blue Anchor on the West Somerset, 16/9/19 (A.Freeman)