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Railbus E79963
History
Throughout mainland Europe, particularly in Germany, four
wheeled diesel railbuses were being introduced around
1955. That year it was suggested that railbuses'should be
trialed on UK branch lines in rural districts.
Railways were threatened by bus services, particularly in
areas where the nearest railway station was at an
inconvenient or distant location and it seems unlikely
that railbuses would revive flagging routes.
In May 1957 that the BTC placed contracts with five firms
for the 22 railbuses for experimental use in rural areas..
As no rigid design specification set out the firms were
able to build to their own designs within the limits of
maximum dimensions, performance set down, and so long as
the details of seating and fittings, were adhered to.
Although there was no detailed specification, there was an
overall set of guidelines. Railbuses were to be powered by
a single underfloor engine of between 112 and 150hp, have
a maximum speed of about 55mph, and have a seating
capacity for between 46 to 54 passengers. They must have
air-operated brakes and some would be fitted with couplers
for use with trailer vehicles.
However not all manufacturers complied to the letter....
Bristol Commercial Vehicles were only to supply two, and
BUT (Park Royal Vehicles Ltd.), London; AC Cars Ltd,
Thames Ditton; D Wickham & Co. Ltd, Ware; and Waggon und
Maschinenbau, Germany were each to build five each. The
aim was to introduced the railbuses early in 1958 in the
Eastern (5), London Midland (4), Western (4) and Scottish
Regions (9).
Railbuses E79960 and E79963 (both owned by NNR plc) were
built by Waggon und Maschinenbau, weighed 15 Tons and had
a maximum speed of 55 m.p.h.
Many thought that, that the railbuses were ordered too
late.
They proved to be very economical, but also somewhat
unreliable. The first of the twenty two railbuses was
withdrawal in 1963. Two were withdrawn in 1964. Nine were
withdrawn in 1966, and a five more in 1967. The final five
were withdrawn in early 1968.
Overall this railbus experiment lasted only about 10 years.
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