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THe Derby Heavyweight at Midsomer Norton.
Taken under supervision and published with permissiion.
Leica M6 / Summarit-M 35mm f2.5 / Kodak Portra 400
Built by Gloucester Railway Carriage & Wagon Works, class 122 ‘Bubblecar’ single car unit W55000 was the first member of the class and operated on lightly used branch lines. W55000 was built in 1958 and originally fitted with AEC engines and equipment but in later years this was replaced with Leyland 6/80 150 HP engines
Buckfastleigh station, South Devon Railway, Devon, UK
Originally built in 1954 as a DMCL and one half of a power-twin, both vehicles were experimentally rebuilt in 1956 as a pair of DMBS single car units for the Buckingham to Banbury Merton Street branch. 79900 had 61 seats but 79901 only 52 seats as it retained its traditional Guards compartment, neither had lavatories. 79900 was withdrawn in 1967 and survived as a route learning vehicle at York until 1974, when it as acquired by Railway Technical Centre at Derby and named Test Car "Iris".
Withdrawn for a second time in 1999 and preserved at the Midland Railway Centre in 2000, where it was comprehensively restored, including a complete mechanical overhaul, reconstructed bulkheads, new Formica panelling and seating from a Class 101. The multiple working equipment was converted from Yellow Diamond to the standard Blue Square, making it compatible with most surviving first generation DMUs, the sockets on the cab fronts now being cosmetic. It moved to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway in 2008 and is on loan to the Great Central Railway.
I've been meaning to visit the Great Central Railway for years and one of my daughters attending an open day at the University of Nottingham gave me the opportunity. Two bridge replacements near Quorn and Woodhouse meant a truncated railcar service, but taking in the Mountsorrel branch. Every cloud...
I saw Iris being restored at Butterley and I've previously travelled on it over the Ravenstor branch at the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway. No photos from the visit, we were still in the courting phase, I didn't want to come across as a crank.
A two-car Class 101 DMU seen at Holt station, North Norfolk Railway recently.
The units were constructed by Metro-Cammell of Birmingham and are currently on long term loan from the National Railway Museum.
The facing car (B3) is M51188, a Driving Motor Brake Second.
British Railways Class 108 DMU formed of 51907 Driving Motor Brake Second and 56490 Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory crosses Butterley reservoir on the approach to the station from Hammersmith during their DMU gala.
One of the few pieces of passenger carrying rolling stock which is prototypical for the railway. I travelled in it with my son in June 2013, but the unit is now in a state, with no resources to begin a full overhaul. I understand DMCL 51565 has moved to Ingrow West.
This unit was never refurbished and retains original features such as green Formica panelling and tungsten lighting. It has worked at the NRM, the East Lancashire Railway and the East Kent Railway, but has been back at the NRM since 2017. Initially on static display, I believe it is now in the queue for cosmetic restoration.
51562 was the 1000th vehicle to be built by BR’s Derby Works.
