Avanti West Coast Class 221 Voyager No. 221108 approaches Chester passing Northgate Locks working 1A70, the 14:48 Holyhead – London Euston service on 28th September 2024.
Tags: DTE_7621 UK United Kingdom GB Great Britain Nikon Z7 Train Railway Railroad September 2024 Chester Northgate Cheshire England Avanti Voyager Class 221 221108 1A70
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Derby Lightweight Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory diesel multiple unit 79612 stands in the yard at Wirksworth on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, 21st September 2024. Restoration has moved on since I last photographed this vehicle 10 years ago when it was based at the Midland Railway Centre.
Unit History
The Derby Lightweight diesel multiple units, were the first production series units to be built for British Railways. The units were built at Derby Works from 1954 to 1956 and twelve power-twin two-car units, eighty four power-trailer two-car units, and four, four-car units were built. 79612 was built in 1956 and was partnered by Driving Motor Brake Second 79018. These units had either Red Triangle or Yellow Diamond coupling codes however the following diesel multiple unit builds were generally Blue Square so these units became non standard and were withdrawn at the end of the 1960’s. Following withdrawal 79018 and 79612 were taken into Departmental stock and converted into an ultrasonic test train being renumbered DB975007 and DB975008 respectively. This ensured their survival for an extra 20 odd years into the 1990’s, long enough for their historical importance to be recognised.
As the only surviving Derby Lightweight two car set, they were purchased by the Derby Lightweight Preservation Group, asbestos stripped at Doncaster Works and moved to the Midland Railway Butterley in 1997 for restoration. 79018 was selected to be restored first, consequently 79612 was put into storage. 79018 was completed in 2004 and in 2008 the restoration of 79612 started after eleven years in storage. The vehicle was stripped down and primed, the external departmental modifications such as relocated doors/windows were returned to original configuration and the vehicle received a protective coat of paint. Since then progress has been very slow with long periods of .what appeared to be inactivity
Tags: 21st September 79612 Ecclesbourne Valley Railway New Photo Distillery
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Rear end of Pendolino 390 020 forming the 20:15 Virgin Trains departure for London Euston at Manchester Piccadilly on 14th March 2015.
IMG_8078
Tags: Class 390 Pendolino Manchester Piccadilly Railway Station Virgin Trains 390020
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The now de-named 37425 passes Raynor’s farm crossing, Stenson Fields with 1Z58 11.43 Derby RTC - Canton Taff Vale Sidings. This only got as far as Birmingham before turning back following problems with 37421 on the rear. Pole shot. 17/09/24.
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I visited Mongolia recently on an excellent tour organised by Temuulen Batkhurel/ Monrailpic Tours.
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