Former 'Test Car Iris'.
Having neglected the railway aspect of my hobby for a little while, opportunity was taken to redress the balance during a recent holday. In fact, the picture shows a sort of ideal half-way house, a railbus and what's more and AEC powered one.
I turned up with the family (as we were staying nearby) to sample the Dean Forest Railway's mid week running and the advertised DMU service. Although not actually a D'M'U, I was very pleased to see the lovely Derby Lightweight single car doing the honours. The sweet running machine had outlived virtually all its contemporaries by passing to BR's Research & Technical Department following front line use and fortunately, in doing so, survived into preservation. Whilst in that department it gained the name 'Iris' as it was customary to name their items of rolling stock and it appears to have stuck. Perhaps a bit more memorable though than M79990.
A well loaded 'Iris' is seen here at Parkend awaiting return departure time for Norchard on Tuesday 16th August 2022.
Former 'Test Car Iris'.
Having neglected the railway aspect of my hobby for a little while, opportunity was taken to redress the balance during a recent holday. In fact, the picture shows a sort of ideal half-way house, a railbus and what's more and AEC powered one.
I turned up with the family (as we were staying nearby) to sample the Dean Forest Railway's mid week running and the advertised DMU service. Although not actually a D'M'U, I was very pleased to see the lovely Derby Lightweight single car doing the honours. The sweet running machine had outlived virtually all its contemporaries by passing to BR's Research & Technical Department following front line use and fortunately, in doing so, survived into preservation. Whilst in that department it gained the name 'Iris' as it was customary to name their items of rolling stock and it appears to have stuck. Perhaps a bit more memorable though than M79990.
A well loaded 'Iris' is seen here at Parkend awaiting return departure time for Norchard on Tuesday 16th August 2022.