"...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 - 13th May 2013
The Railcar Association
Welcome to The Railcar Association 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 Association 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
23/5/13: The very last of the "old-style" DMUs to serve on the mainline in Wales, 55032, was withdrawn by Arriva Trains Wales two months ago and has been purchased by Chiltern Railways, possibly as a source of spares. Chiltern Railways have kindly offered to send the unit to the Llangollen Railcar gala on June 22/23 for a final fling in Wales. This will certainly be its last appearance in Arriva colours and possibly its last passenger runs ever. 55032, which was built by Pressed Steel, will be joined by Gloucester-built single car 55005 from Shackerstone and the event will also feature the final weekend's running before 10-year overhaul of 6430 and the autocoach. Full details of the event are on the Llangollen Railcars Website.
13/5/13: Following some difficulties with some regular viewers finding "new" images added to the Preserved Vehicles pages which were taken several years ago (and therefore appear further down the page), future image updates to this section will differentiate between new and archive images. Images taken in the last 12 months will be listed as normal in the updates section. Images older than this will now be listed separatly in the updates section under "archive images".
9/4/13: It's just been confirmed that the Railcar event at Llangollen on June 22/23 will feature the final appearance of GWR Pannier Tank 6430 and its two autocoaches before the loco is withdrawn for its 10-year overhaul. This will definitely be its last weekend as its ticket expires on June 30th. Use of the autotrain will allow them to exhibit units in the platforms at Llangollen Station and there is a provisional plan to bring Cravens trailer 56456 up from the depot for exhibition. This has been undergoing a full rebuild over the last year or so and will allow visitors to see just how much is now involved in DMU restoration. Following numerous requests we have now added "turn up and go" driver experiences to the entertainment for Saturday evening. Bookings will be taken on the DMU Group stall on Llangollen Station during the day. With five different DMUs, the autotrain, a half-hourly service, trains up the newly-laid part of the Corwen extension and the prospect of good weather (only joking) this looks like it is going to be a really fun event.
1/2/13: More detailed information has been released for the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway's "Multiple Memories" gala in August, including driver experience runs on Friday 9th August using Derby Lightweight M79900 and newly restored Class 119 W51073. This will be the first time that a Class 119 (of which only three vehicles survive) has been available for a driver experience, and indeed the first public run of a Class 119since they were withdrawn from BR in 1994. The event, also featuring the return of Class 122 W55006 after a 14 month overhaul, is not one to be missed. More details of the itinerary and how to book the driver experiences is available on the EVR's Multiple Memories page.
Latest Updates
23rd May 2103: Item added to Latest News.
23rd March 2013: Item added to For Sale/Wanted.
13th May 2013: Preserved Vehicles updated.
1st May 2013: Issue 117 added to News Bulletin.
15th March 2013: Several items including a Class 122 added to For Sale/Wanted.
24th January 2013: Further details released & driver experience booking open for 2013 Convention.
24th January 2013: Churnet Valley, Great Central & Llangollen dates added to Running Dates.
1st January 2013: Railcar of the Year 2012 announced.
2nd July 2012: East Anglian Railcar Group link added to Societies.