79612 Derby Lightweight Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory

Home Railway	Ecclesbourne Valley Railway	Location History	Midland Railway ButterleyMar 97-Nov 14
Current Location	Ecclesbourne Valley Railway		Ecclesbourne Valley Railway Nov 14-Present
Current Status	Operational
Current Livery	BR Blue (Half Yellow End)	Visited Railways	Severn Valley RailwayOct 04
TRA Designation	1
Partner Vehicle(s)	55006
Owner	Derby Lightweight Preservation Group
Website	www.dlpg.org.uk
Record Last Updated	18 April 2025
Preservation Modifications The vehicle's electrical control system was converted from the original Yellow Diamond system to the more standard Blue Square arrangement during the restoration. This was as a result of the multiple working system being lost during the vehicle's departmental career, the fact that there were no Yellow Diamond vehicles left in preservation to ever run with in the future, and the obvious advantages of being able to run with the majority of other Blue Square preserved vehicles. Original looking Yellow Diamond jumper cable sockets were returned to the vehicle ends to maintain the as-built appearance. New Blue Square sockets have been carefully added under the buffers to allow the vehicle to operate effectively. Many of the drivers controls are specially modified or created from new to visually represent the original Yellow Diamond control gear, but are actually Blue Square compatible inside the desk itself. Given the vehicle lost its interior during departmental service, the fixtures and fittings are all salvaged from other classes, created from new or cleverly adapted from other salvaged items. One example is the second class seating, which are Class 101 seats with the backs extended upwards prior to upholstering and the original chromed top rails reversed 180 degrees to make them stick out backwards as a handrail, which was a unique feature of original Derby Lightweight seats. The end result is almost indistinguishable from the original lost seating. The similarities between Derby Lightweight vehicles and their later sisters the Class 108's, means a large number of 108 parts were used in the restoration.
Preservation Information After withdrawal from passenger use in West Cumberland (before DMU preservation had started) the vehicle became part of an Ultrasonic Test Train as 975007 with partner 79018. This ensured their survival for an extra 30 years into the 1990’s, long enough for their historical importance to be recognised. The vehicle was very heavily modified for this role with few original fittings surviving. Additionally when disposed of the vehicle was heavily contaminated with asbestos. 79612 also owes its survival to a sympathetic BR disposals manager who is reputed to have described it to fellow BR staff (in charge of which vehicles were being sent for scrap) as the "Stephensons Rocket of DMU's" so couldn't possibly be scrapped! As the only surviving Derby Lightweight 2-car set, 79612 & 79018 were purchased by the Derby Lightweight Preservation Group (DLPG) which had been formed in 1990. Following a huge public fundraising campaign, 79612 was asbestos stripped at Doncaster works and moved to the Midland Railway Butterleyin 1997 for restoration. The asbestos stripping had left the vehicle as an empty shell. With a huge task ahead and limited resources, powercar 79018 was selected to be restored first, consequently 79612 was put into storage to await 79018's completion. In October 2004, 79612 was transported to the Severn Valley Railway to show the public an "unrestored wreck" whic would serve as a direct "before and after" display with 79018, which had been completed fo the event and was resplendant as an example of a fully restored vehicle. On its return to the Midland Railway Butterley the group set about fundraising to tackle the restoration of 79612. In 2008 the restoration started after 11 years in storage. The vehicle was stripped down and primed, the aluminium body (which don’t rot) coming into its own. External departmental mofifications such as relocated doors/windows were returned to original configuration and the vehicle received a protective coat of BR Blue. In 2009 the exterior bodywork was completed and a start made on the interior. In 2010 the vehicle was moved back outside, with the exterior completed. Overhauled bogies were fitted to the vehicle. 2011 saw further work on the interior, although progress was understandably slower than 79018 due to the lottery grant that was available to fundcontract work on the powercar. By 2013 the restoration had slowed to a crawl following the departure of some key active members, and options to resolve these issues were being investigated. In 2014, with the DLPG's restoration efforts having stalled, the 2-car set was relocated to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway for the DMU group there to complete the work required. 79612 was put on public display during the annual Railcar Convention Weekend in September 2015, in the station at Wirksworth. 2018 saw restoration efforts shift markedly from partner 79018 onto 79612. With the former watertight, the same was now desired for 79612 which duly entered the shed for bodywork repairs undertaken. However the main focus was to be the roof, with extensive rivet replacement in the aluminium panels to ensure the vehicle was watertight. The fibreglass roof dome was also re-sealed. This was followed by a roof repaint and the work concluded with a (temporary) fun paint job on the cab end and second mans side in BR blue with a full yellow end, the last livery that Derby Lightweights carried in their working days. The drivers side, which was less sun damaged, remained in BR green. The autumn saw the refitting of the interior start, with insulation being fitted throughout the wall and ceiling cavities. The first class saloon received its wall panelling wrapped in vyanide and the heater ducting was fitted. The bulkhead between the first class saloon and first vestibule was fitted with three new panes of toughened glass. In 2019 the installation of working carriage jacks at the railway for the first time enabled 79612 to have its bogies swapped, with the temporary bogies it gained at Midland Railway Butterley being changed over with the vehicle's own, now overhaulled, bogies. Also being progressed was the refitting of the cab, with various electrical components, either rebuilt or repurposed, being installed. Preparation work on the seating began with steel mounting strips being fitted to rebates in the floor. This allowed the seats to be bolted to the floor as opposed to being screwed to the plywood sheets. The frames for the seats were recovered from a Class 117 and required modification to be more prototypical of Derby Lightweight seats. Ceilings were also refitted to the first class saloon. As the year progressed steady steps forward were taken with more electrics for the cab and the ceiling being fitted inside the complicated end roof dome. The latter part of the year saw the toilet cubicle rebuilt, panelled out and plumbing/fittings fitted. Interior work continued into 2020. The toilet cubicle was finished off and tested, and the unique (to Derby Lightweights) folding end corridor door was restored to working condition. The rear saloon was fully panelled out in a similar manner to the front compartment, and brand new heater duct covers were made for the vehicle. After an absence of a year or so, the full 2-car set (79612 & 79018) was placed on display during the annual railcar gala in March, where progress was admired by visitors. Later in the year powder coated seat frames were returned to position and the upholstery in first class fitted. 2021 & 2022 saw the rest of the interior come together, with the toilet compartment built up and furnished, seat cushions added in second class and finishing touches added. The vehicle was also repainted into BR Blue with a half yellow panel. The majority of the cab, underframe and wiring was also completed, with the vehicle's first test runs being undertaken in September 2022. With restoration coming to a close, 2023 saw the vehicle "stored servicable" to await the completion of partner 79018. However the vehicle made two trips in service, once in August on a private charter for one of the restoration team, and again for an evening fish & chip special in October, both with Class 121 55034 providing the power. On the 12th April 2025, 79612 had a formal launch into public passenger service, paired with Class 122 55006, at the annual diesel gala. This was following agreement with the owning group that 79612 would be better off seeing occasional use rather than deteriorate whilst in storage waiting for the completion of its partner, 79018. It was therefore now possible, after more then 50 years, to ride on part of a Derby Lightweight twin set. 79612 now operates at selected special events as a 2-car set with 55006. Its condition and historic importance makes it a popular vehicle and special member of the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway's operating fleet.
Future Plans Once the restoration of partner 79018 is completed, 79612 will be relaunched as an original Derby Lightweight twin set and then operate as the flagship of the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway railcar fleet. This set will arguably be the most important first generation railcar of all to have been returned to traffic in the preservation era, over half a century since the last sets operated in passenger service on BR. The owning group have been vocal in stating that their intention is for 79612 to be repainted into original BR Green before being run in its full original 2-car configuration with 79018.

	M79612/W55006 stand at Duffield at lunchtime, during M79612's first weekend in public service, 13/4/25. Chris Moxon

	M79612/W55006 call at Shottle on the first train of the day, during M79612's first weekend in public service, 13/4/25. Chris Moxon

	A corridor end view of M79612 at Shottle on the first train of the day, during M79612's first weekend in public service, 13/4/25. Chris Moxon

	M79612 stabled in the yard at Wirksworth, 25/7/24. Kevin Dowd

	M79612 sits at Duffield during a private Fish & Chip special, believed to be the vehicle's second outing. 55034 was once again providing the power, 14/10/23. Oliver Hodgkinson

	M79612/55034 approaching Idridghay on M79612's very first passenger working in preservation, a private charter for one of the restoration team, 11/8/23. Neil Ferguson-Lee

	M79612, with W55034 providing the power, undergoing electrical and brake testing in the platform at Wirksworth, 18/9/22. Derby Lightweight Preservation Group

	M79612 recently repainted into BR blue with small yellow panels, outside the shed at Wirksworth. Itys interior restoration continues, 5/10/21. Derby Lightweight Preservation Group

	79612 on static display alongside visiting single unit 55034 at Wirksworth, 14/3/20. Chris Moxon

	79612 up in the air during its bogie swap, 27/8/19. Ecclesbourne Valley Railway DMU Association

	An overhaulled bogie being painted prior to fitting, 11/10/18. Ecclesbourne Valley Railway DMU Association

	79612/79018 were put on public display during the annual Railcar Convention Weekend in September 2015, in the station at Wirksworth, 26/9/15. Chris Moxon

	79612 stored at Wirksworth, 6/6/15. Chris Moxon

	79612 alongside fellow Lightweight M79900 shortly after arrival at Wirksworth, 12/14. Ecclesbourne Valley Railway DMU Group

	79612 under sedate restoration at Butterley, 2/3/14. Zoe Hunter

	79612, now getting quite faded, at Butterley, 22/9/13. Nigel Gould

	79612 at Butterley, 14/7/12. Chris Moxon

	79612 at Butterley, 11/9/11. Chris Moxon

	79612 at Butterley, 11/9/11. Chris Moxon

	79612 at Butterley, 27/10/10. Ecclesbourne Valley Railway

	79612's cab end after removal from the shed, 21/5/10. Andy Neil

	Chris Lings has been busy fitting droplights and locks to the bodyside doors, 18/4/10. Eddie Knorn

	The "new" cab end bogie part way through cleaning up, with the No 1 wheelset removed to allow painting there is easier access to paint the frame, 18/4/10. Eddie Knorn

	Work concentrated on the DMBS for many years, it was 2008 before work began in earnest on the trailer car. Seen inside the carriage shed at Butterley, 2009. Eddie Knorn

	79612 under restoration in the shed at Butterley. Note the missing section of headstock, now returned, January 2009. Eddie Knorn

	79612 on display at Bewdley on the Severn Valley Railway during Railcar50, 16/10/04. David Beardmore

	79612 on display at Bewdley on the Severn Valley Railway during Railcar50. In it's unrestored state, it demonstrated the problems facing preservationists, and alongside it's newly completed partner 79018 it showed (as a before and after) that restoration is possible! 15/10/04. Ian Francis

	Taken outside Butterley on the 2nd National DMU Day, and also the first AGM of the vehicles owners, the Derby Lightweight Preservation Group. The two vehicles had newly arrived by this date and little progress had been made so far, 31/8/97. Stuart Mackay

	79612 after unloading, 17/3/97. Chris Lings

Interior

	Cab view, drivers side, of M79612 during its public launch weekend. Visible on the bottom left is the unusual Yellow Diamond style control circuit switch and in the top of the window the sun visor, one of many recreated Derby Lightweight cab components that give the vehicle such attention to detail, 13/4/25. Chris Moxon

	A view of the driver's controls, in M79612 during its public launch weekend. Only a handful of components survived so many of the items seen here including the throttle controller, engine speed tachometer and instrument light unit have been diligently created from scratch using drawings and photographs, 13/4/25. Chris Moxon

	Cab view, secondmans side, of M79612 during its public launch weekend. The handbrake wheel being outside of the desk and the split desk with gap in the centre are both items of character not seen on other classes, 13/4/25. Chris Moxon

	The first class saloon showing the bulkhead between passengers and the cab. Similar to the class 108 in construction, vinyl clad panels are recreated in authentic colours which differened between batches of vehicle and first/third class, 13/4/25. Chris Moxon

	The first class saloon showing the 2+1 seating modified from Class 117 seats, 13/4/25. Chris Moxon

	The first class saloon showing the 2+1 seating modified from Class 117 seats, 13/4/25. Chris Moxon

	The third class saloon at the centre of the vehicle. The quality of restoration makes third class as much a pleasure as first! 13/4/25. Chris Moxon

	The third class saloon at the rear of the vehicle. The toilet compartment is visible at the rear on the left and, in common with the rest of the vehicle, been faithfully recreated in its as-built condition, 13/4/25. Chris Moxon

	The almost completed second class saloon during seat installation, 11/2/22. Derby Lightweight Preservation Group

	The almost completed second class saloon during seat installation, 11/2/22. Derby Lightweight Preservation Group

	The secondmans side of the cab desk coming together, 30/3/21. Chris Lings

	The vehicle’s first class seat frames, recently returned from the powder coaters, are now in place. The seat backs and squabs which were re-covered many moons ago have been reunited with their frames and certainly look (and feel) very plush. All that awaits these now is for the top sections of each frame to be re-chromed before final fitting, 24/10/20. Ecclesbourne Valley Railway DMU Association

	The vehicle’s second class seat frames, recently returned from the powder coaters, are now in place. These frames will have to wait a bit longer before they see their backs and squabs as these still await re-trimming and similarly to the first class section their handles re-chroming. Whilst the seat bases are direct transfers from class 101s, the backs, which are of a unique profile on lightweights, have had to be individually modified to suit, 24/10/20. Ecclesbourne Valley Railway DMU Association

	Lino fitted to 79612's middle saloon, 6/20. Ben Field

	The advancing cab desk and contols, 23/5/19. Ecclesbourne Valley Railway DMU Association

	Toilet compartment just before full fitting out progressed, 23/5/19. Ecclesbourne Valley Railway DMU Association

	First class seating test fitted into place, 16/2/19. Ecclesbourne Valley Railway DMU Association

	Wall panels being fitted out in the first class saloon, 18/12/18. Ecclesbourne Valley Railway DMU Association

	The toilet partition frames now in-situ, 18/4/10. Eddie Knorn

	View of 79612's middle slaoon, March 2010. Eddie Knorn

	View of 79612's rear slaoon, March 2010. Eddie Knorn

	En-route from Kidderminster to Bewdley for display at Railcar50. It can clearly be seen how the asbestos stripping had left 79612's interior, 13/10/04. Stuart Mackay