Expert advice on Class 108 DMU

I am no expert in DMUs, but this site is well known -

http://www.railcar.co.uk/his100-109/108intro.htm ...it also contains

http://www.railcar.co.uk/his100-109/108/51562.htm and the photo...

http://www.railcar.co.uk/pics/100-109/108/df01.jpg which shows a 1960 delivery.

Hope that may be of help...

TimP

QUOTE (Wizard in Oz @ 12 Feb 2008, 09:49) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I am unsure whether to post this here or in the the Prototype section. My model railway is based on BR in late 1959, and I strive to have all locomotives and rolling stock correct for this specific period. I recently purchased the Bachmann Class 108 DMU believing that these units were introduced in 1958. The brief history provided with the model, however, states that only the final 29 sets had the 4 digit roof-mounted headcode, as per the model, and these were introduced in 1960/1. Reference to the Ian Allan abc combined volume for 1960 seems to confirm this as the running number of the model M51928 is not listed (the last listed being M 51923. However, there is a photograph in the same volume of a DMU that appears identical to the Bachmann model (roof-mounted 4-digit headcode; speed whiskers; identical front, not certain but appears same window arrangement on side). I presume this was before the Class number was established, as the caption reads simply "Derby-built two-car lightweight unit". It is impossible to decipher the running number, although it does appear to be prefixed M. As this photograph appears in the 1960 volume, I presume it was taken no later than 1959. What knowledge I have is largely restricted to steam locomotives and early diesels, and I wonder if there is anyone more expert in DMUs who can suggest what class might be portrayed in the photograph, appearing to be the same. or very similar to, a late Class 108? The Bachmann model is excellent, and I would dearly love to be able to renumber it, if this might make it faithful to the late 1959 period of my model railway.

I assume you've purchased the new Bachmann release 32-900A ... ?? I was caught in the same dilemma because I also try to restrict my layout to the 58/59 period. The original Bachmann release 32-900 was correct for the early units. It was a power-trailer unit (as described in the links provided in the previous reply) and featured a 2 digit destination box. The new 32-900A release is a power twin with the roof mounted 4 digit destination code box which, as you note, is only correct for the later built units. I think to be strictly time accurate you probably want to seek out a second hand 32-900 unit (eBay is a good source), however it is likely that the later units were beginning to appear in 1959 anyway, so you are not too far out A more time limiting feature would be replacement of the 'speed whiskers' with a small yellow warning panel - which is what the Bachmann 3 car unit will feature I believe, even though it is otherwise OK on the destination box issue ....

What a minefield this stuff is...

Hope this helps
Regards Norm

Ron

As I said I'm in exactly the same position you are in wanting to run a few early diesels in with my steam locos. It is hard to find models that fit the era, but one you may wish to consider is this coming years Bachmann class 08 in black numbered 13238. This is catalog number 32-114 and is shown as a summer release. You'll also be OK to purchase the early version of the upcoming class 105 DMU (31-326)

Currently available models include class 04 number 11222 catalog number 31-341.
Now, if only some enterprising manafacturer would produce more affordable models of 10000/10001 or 10201/2/3 I'd be very happy

Oh - you could also run an early class 20 model - green with no yellow front and head code disks. The pair being sold by Ian Allan would be perfect

All the best
Norm

Norm,

You are right. In my investigations of the history of Class 108, I have found that a Class 105 ("Craven") would be OK for la layout set in late 1959. I actually have a fair number of early diesel locomotives, all of which were in operation by December 1959: a green Bachmann O4 and an 08 in green without wasp-stripes; a Cl 20 in plain green with route discs; and a Hornby D5512. I have given up waiting for Bachmann to release a Warship Cl 42 in green without yellow warning patch, but have obtained two old Mainline Warships. I have renumbered them and am about to remove the yellow warning patches. The old Mainline motor and drive leaves much to be desired, and I am thinking of purchasing a new Bachmann Warship when (if) in the shops and swapping the bodies. All lots of fun. I have the advantage of having been a train spotter in my formative years in the UK, and remember well what I saw in the way of steam and early diesels. This experience did not, however, include DMUs.

Happy modelling,

Ron

QUOTE (Wizard in Oz @ 14 Feb 2008, 03:09) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Norm,

You are right. In my investigations of the history of Class 108, I have found that a Class 105 ("Craven") would be OK for la layout set in late 1959. I actually have a fair number of early diesel locomotives, all of which were in operation by December 1959: a green Bachmann O4 and an 08 in green without wasp-stripes; a Cl 20 in plain green with route discs; and a Hornby D5512.
Don't forget there were 04 and 08 in all over black at that date as well. Then there's the 40, and the NRM's ice-cream cart, and hopefully someday Bach will do another run of their 24 in plain green, and maybe Heljan would care to do an all-green pilot scheme version of their 26? We are spoilt for choice. I am really pleased at the Cravens announcement, and hope that it does well. They were pretty memorable: the forward view was great, the vibration was .. interesting .. and the sounds as their somewhat inadequate power plants were flogged along to keep time were a perpetual source of joy to me as a youngster.