"...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.
Last Update - 8th May 2012
The Railcar Association
Welcome to The Railcar Assocation website. This version has been online since 2011 (although the "original" website has been around much longer) and visitors can browse the different sections of the site using the menu on the left. More information on who we are and what we do is available on The Railcar Assocation page.
Web Restructuring
During the past five years, the association has undergone some restructuring which has included changes to and at times non availability of our website. Whilst much of the "original" website remains off line whilst it is undergoing update, several sections have been transferred to this section which is now available. It is anticipated that more sections will be included here as time allows.
Keeping Updated
For news updates, please see our News Bulletins which are released six times a year. Short notice items may be included on this page below, but most general updates will be in the bulletin. You can keep track of the updates to each of the sections on this part of the site by checking the Latest Updates section at the foot of this page.
Short Notice News Items
Llangollen Railcars Gala June 23/24 2012
The Llangollen Railway’s Railcar Gala on June 23/24 will see a number of firsts, including the first visit of a second-generation unit to the Welsh line and also the first diesel services on the new Carrog-Bonwm section of line.
Five dmu sets will be in action as well as a steam autotrain, working with carriages each side of the locomotive for comparison with the more modern traction.
The visitor will be 141113, which is part of the Llangollen Railcars fleet but which is normally based at the Midland Railway and which has never been to Llangollen before. It is currently on its way back from the Weardale Railway where it has been used for community services.
It will work trains at Llangollen for one weekend only before moving on to Butterley.
141113 is one of the first 20 second-generation units built in 1984 as replacements for the ageing 1950s built fleet. It was unique amongst Class 141 in being fitted with Cummins engines and Voith gearboxes, rather than the conventional Leyland/SCG layout. Withdrawn in 1999 it returned to service in 2007.
The gala will allow the public the first chance to see the new extension “as the driver sees it” as all trains will traverse the new 1.25 mile section of track. Following the event the extension will close again to allow construction to recommence.
Also in service will be units from classes 104, 108, Wickham and 127 operating in two, four and six-car formations. The autotrain will be powered by ex-GWR Pannier tank 6430.
Thirteen services will be available each way per day, starting at 0930 from Llangollen, and there will be a barbecue on the Saturday evening at Carrog station with a special train provided from Llangollen. “Turn up and Go” driver experiences will take place using the 141 on the Saturday evening at Carrog with money raised going towards the extension to Corwen.
Timetables and unit allocations will be available nearer the time at the Llangollen Railcars website.
More details available on the Llangollen Railcars site
Latest Updates
8th May 2012:4 items added to For Sale/Wanted page
1st May 2012: Issue 111 added to News Bulletin section
25th April 2012: CDRL link added to Societies page
24th April 2011: Home page news updated
23rd April 2012: Preserved Vehicles section updated
21st April 2012: 2011 convention report added to The Railcar
Association page
21st April 2012: Detailled dates added for July to Running Dates page