The Railcar Association News Bulletin

Following the generous permission (of the original poster) to reproduce some material originally included here on Nat Pres, it has been suggested that the online newsletter written by The Railcar Association (umbrella organisation for DMU preservation) may be appreciated by those on here as well.

It usually includes news from around the country of restoration work to DMUs, photos and advance notice of DMU themed events, and occasionally nostalgic images and articles about DMUs. It has been running since January 2010 and comes out every two months.

Issue 104 (March 2011) is now available to download.

Additionally, if anyone takes any pictures of preserved DMUs up and down the land (doesn't have to be special, can just be a normal day) or if anyone has any BR memories/images to share, we're always looking for new material to increase the appeal of what's produced. Please PM me or use the contact information on the bulletin website if you're interested.

 

The next issue (Issue 105) is now available at the usual place.

 

Thanks for the link. The 'usual place' (the Railcar Association's Website) isn't there if you go there directly, or at least you can't get through the front door. I appreciate the need to have the decorators in periodically but is it necessary to shut up shop completely whilst they're in? There's lot of useful information in there - are you ableto indicate when the site will reopen for business again? Thanks.

 

Reading issue 105 Cotswold Diesel Railcar Ltd have now taken delivery of Class 122 55003 from the MHR. I hear and read on another forum that the three car unit is also up for sale.

 

My understanding is that the main railcar website is currently being reconstructed with no current reopening date yet. The website is not under my control, but two of the smaller "sections" are, and have been for approximately the past 12 months. Those two sections remain open for business and are:

-News - The Railcar Association's current day-to-day affairs in the form of the PDF bulletins, available at http://preserved.railcar.co.uk/bulletin.html
-Preserved Vehicles - This is a new large database with all the information of the preserved DMU fleet, usually fully illustrated. Available at http://preserved.railcar.co.uk/index.html

The bulletin has been successfully and consistently going for over a year now and (I hope you agree) solves the previous problem of regular news/events not always appearing on the homepage of the main site due to time constraints etc.

The Preserved Vehicles section is new this year and is being progressively developed by myself. This is a huge task with over 300 vehicles to cover so as I'm sure readers will appreciate, this will be completed over time.

Sadly the development of both has been stunted by the poor response to an enthusiast appeal for images, both of current DMUs/events (for the bulletin) and "historic" shots of DMUs throughout their preservation lives to help me build the Preserved Vehicle Database. I had hoped that a Preserved Diesels website style of photographers regularly contributing images of DMUs from around the UK (I do use my own pics but there are railways north and south that I just don't get to!) could be built up but it hasn't happened.....yet! This may be simply because the appeal hasn't made it to the masses, so if anyone can pass on the word that would be excellent. The address for images and/or enquires is railcar@live.co.uk

I hope this goes some way into shedding some light on the situation regarding the Railcar Association and its website. I've also given all those Nat Pres photographers the chance to contribute their stunning work in our galleries

 

W55003 has indeed been delivered to the Northern end of the GWSR, and has already run public services. It is hoped to use W55003 on midweek services.
Does anybody know a supplier of the destination blinds to fit this unit?

 

I think most pick up their blinds over time on the railwayana/secondhand/ebay circuit. An old Tysley blind or similar is certainly cheaper than getting new.

However failing that, the Railcar Association has the following supplier listed:

Norbury Blinds, 41-45 Hanley Street, Newton, BIRMINGHAM B19 3SP Tel. 0121 359 4311

You'd have to check they haven't moved/gone bust etc but hope this is useful anyway

 

Not very helpful I'm afraid, but whats wrong with "Teddy on tour" or "Daisy"?
OK, sorry.
Nice looking vehicle though, I hope to see it when it's next rostered.

 

Norbury Blinds made the destination blinds that are currently fitted to W55003. The contact details are on the end of the roller but unfortunately it appears that they are no longer in business.

Ideally a destination blind is required that includes Cheltenham Racecourse, Gotherington, Winchcombe, Toddington, Laverton, Broadway (forward planning!), Honeybourne (even more forward planning!!)

 

There is a thread running on the Preserved Diesels technical helppage regarding headcode blinds. Somebody there has recommended a company called Mc Kenna Brothers. Sorry I cannot cut, and past the link. But if you go onto the Preserved Diesels forum you should be able to find it, or just type Mc Kenna brothers into your browser.
Hope this is helpful
Mark

 

http://www.mckennabrothers.co.uk/

 

The next issue (Issue 106) is now available at the usual place.

 

The next issue (Issue 108) is now available at the usual place.

This issue includes the announcement of the location and date for the 2012 Railcar Convention.

 

The next issue (Issue 109) is now available at the usual place.

This issue includes a book review and list of DMU events for 2012 known so far, along with the usual news and restoration updates.

 

Thanks to Chris for another informative and very well illustrated bulletin.

 

The next issue (Issue 110) is now available at the usual place.

This issue includes a second book review plus two new features: the first of a series of "trips back in time" digging out some old DMU pics from BR days, and an interesting account of a DMU Driver Experience. There are also the usual news and restoration updates.

 

This appeared yesterday on Youtube.
NYMR 1969.
NYMR Railbus 1969. - YouTube

 

Wow, a real find, will have to link to this in the next edition!

 

Brilliant footage - oh what fun those pioneering days were, before the elfansafety hysteria. And nobody got hurt climbing down from the railbus.

 

The next issue (Issue 111) is now available at the usual place.

A quieter issue in terms of features, but plenty to report in the DMU world in terms of movements, disposals etc.