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Railbus
The railbus is one of three demonstrators built by BREL in Derby (and Leyland bus in Workington) during the early 1980's. Bearing the number RB004, it was shipped to the United States in 1984, and travelled widely before returning to Derby works in 1986. The railbuses were designed as modified Leyland bus bodies running on four-wheeled railway chassis, and were very similar to the Class 141 units, which have recently been withdrawn and sold abroad. The railbuses were powered by 200bhp 6-cylinder Leyland TR11 diesel engines, with fully automatic gearbox units. They also had a flexicoil suspension system which could be used at speeds up to 100mph (I somehow doubt this will be necessary on the railway, let alone legal!!). As it was sent out to America, some modifications were carried out, resulting in a large bell being fitted on both ends, and the provision of air conditioning (which will almost certainly be retained!), as well as fitting of American buckeye couplings. Upon its return to England, the single car railbuses were converted to offices, having all the seating removed. At the same time the exterior was used for paint trials - hence the current livery which is somewhat unorthadox! In terms of restoration, the partition has been removed which was fitted during its role as an office, and the seats have been replaced - aided by the fact that they were standard bus seats. There are a lot of things left to do, but these are being attended to slowly, and reports of the progress being made will appear here when they are available.
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