Test Car 'IRIS' RDB975010 in Selhurst Depot. 1988.
This Derby lightweight railcar numbered 79900 was one of two built in 1956 for branch line use and initially based at Bletchley. Its passenger career was very short brought about by line closures it was soon surplus to requirements. The unit was withdrawn in October 1967 but unlike its sister 79901 which was cut up in April 1967 this one passed into departmental service in June 1968 as a training unit based at York and renumbered DB 975010. In May 1974 it moved to the Derby Research Department and gained the title "IRIS" as 'Laboratory Coach 19' numbered RDB 975010. It enjoyed a long career with the BR research department as the radio frequency and signal strength testing unit. Over time it was involved with the development of various railway based radio systems like RETB (Radio Electronic Token Block), NRN (National Radio Network) and CSR (Cab Secure Radio). Despite the arrival of "IRIS 2" in 1991 a converted Met-Cam DMU RDB 975010 wasn't withdrawn until June 1999 and after a year stored it was sold into preservation moving to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway in June 2000. It has since been refurbished to its original condition as 79900.
Test Car 'IRIS' RDB975010 in Selhurst Depot. 1988.
This Derby lightweight railcar numbered 79900 was one of two built in 1956 for branch line use and initially based at Bletchley. Its passenger career was very short brought about by line closures it was soon surplus to requirements. The unit was withdrawn in October 1967 but unlike its sister 79901 which was cut up in April 1967 this one passed into departmental service in June 1968 as a training unit based at York and renumbered DB 975010. In May 1974 it moved to the Derby Research Department and gained the title "IRIS" as 'Laboratory Coach 19' numbered RDB 975010. It enjoyed a long career with the BR research department as the radio frequency and signal strength testing unit. Over time it was involved with the development of various railway based radio systems like RETB (Radio Electronic Token Block), NRN (National Radio Network) and CSR (Cab Secure Radio). Despite the arrival of "IRIS 2" in 1991 a converted Met-Cam DMU RDB 975010 wasn't withdrawn until June 1999 and after a year stored it was sold into preservation moving to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway in June 2000. It has since been refurbished to its original condition as 79900.