Introduction
Railcar50 is all about first generation DMUs. What is a first generation DMU? What are they so special to warrant this event? These twelve boards answers this, telling their fifty-year history, where they came from, and their part in the evolution of our railway vehicles to the trains of today. Most importantly we hope to show you how you can play a part in keeping a piece of that story alive.
Railcar50 has two main aims – access and education. We are providing better access to these vehicles by bringing a selection here for you to enjoy, to see the variety of different types there were, to be able to experience travelling on some, and provide you with information where you can see further examples.
We hope that at the end of your visit you will know more about railcars than before, and learn about some of the hard work, dedication and cost that is involved in restoring and maintaining the preserved examples.
All the owning groups have allowed us to bring and use their vehicles free of charge. Please support their work. Without them we wouldn’t be here.
Railcars, diesel multiple unit (DMU), diesel train are some of the various names (many derogatory!) to describe the same things - self-propelled, diesel powered trains. A pair of horizontal diesel engines is suspended under the floor driving the inner wheels at each end. Transmission is through either a four speed gearbox (mechanical units) or a torque convertor (hydraulic units). Further technical information is available in the ‘Diesel instruction Coach’
Below: One of the vehicles that started it all. A Derby Lightweight vehicle ready for delivery to the West Riding of Yorkshire in 1954.
Top Right: Now that Railcars have all but gone from the national network, there has been much greater interest in them, and they seem to fit in far better in the preservation scene.
Right: Tasks in DMU restoration can be mundane, but very satisfying. Over the years this vehicle has had many coats of paint, and they were starting to peal off and crack and craze. So on this vehicle it all had to be removed.
