Vehicle 79612 / 975008
Derby Lightweight
Builder: BR Derby Works
Layout: Low Density
Length: 57ft
Coupling Code: Yellow Diamond
Coupling Type: Screw
Gangway Type: LMS
Lot Number: 30124
Diagram: 509
Allocations
The London Midland Region didn't publish trailer car details until late in 1968. Although not 100% reliable, if it is assumed that the trailers remained with the same power cars, the allocations for 79020 during the unknown period are:
| 29/01/55 | New to | 12A (Carlisle Upperby) | |
| 4w/e 16/07/55 | Transferred to | 12D (Workington) | |
| Oct-55 | Depot code change | 12C | |
| Jan-57 | On loan to | 3E (Monument Lane) | |
| Feb-57 | Ex-loan back to | 12C (Workington) | |
| Apr-58 | Depot code change | 11B | |
| Jun-60 | Depot code change | 12F | |
| Sep-63 | Depot code change | 12D | |
| 3w/e 28/02/65 | Transferred to | 12B (Carlisle Upperby) |
Then the allocations for 79612 are:
| 16/06/68 | Withdrawn from | 12B (Carlisle Upperby) | |
| 01/11/70 | To departmental stock | ||
| by Dec-75 | Transferred to | OC (Old Oak Common) | |
| by 03/03/80 | Transferred to | RG (Reading) | |
| by 01/01/85 | Transferred to | OC (Old Oak Common) | |
| by 04/01/86 | Transferred to | RG (Reading) | |
| 1994 | Withdrawn |
Notes
11/08/81 - On the night of 10/11 August 1981 TDB 975007/975008 operated from Reading to Eastleigh via Salisbury and Southampton. The following day they operated from Eastleigh to Stewarts Lane via Basingstoke, Woking, Guildford and Redhill.
25/10/82 - The Ultrasonic test train could be found working on the SR on three consecutive nights between 25 and 28 October 1982. 975007 and 975008 worked between Reading and Waterloo; over South Eastern Division suburban routes from Victoria and Holborn Viaduct; and on the Central Division between Clapham Junction, Three Bridges and Horsham via the Quarry line, also Horsham - Leatherhead.
26/06/83 - DB975007/008 were back on the Southern Region on 26/6/83. That night they ran over South Western Division territory, the next over South Eastern, and Central division on 28/29th. They returned to the South Western on 30 June, finishing at Reading Triangle Sidings at 05:02 on the morning of 1 July.
Aug-83 - In the last week of August 1983 975007/8 were working on lines in the West of England.
The vehicle carried the following numbers:
79612 - original number
975008 - from Nov-70 (departmental stock)
Department Use as DB975008
Ultrasonic Test Train From 11/70 to 1994.
Disposal
Preserved - moved Doncaster Works to Midland Railway Butterley March 1997 - more details.
Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:
| 79020 | 79612 | As delivered to 12A - 29th January 1955 | |||||||
| 79020 | 79612 | Noted 20th August 1956 | |||||||
| 79020 | 79612 | Noted 21st January 1957 | |||||||
| 975007 | 975008 | Noted 05/04/71 - at Old Oak Common1 | |||||||
| 975007 | 975008 | Noted 25/02/73 - at Tyseley1 | |||||||
| 975007 | 975008 | Noted 30/04/75 - on Old Oak Common depot2 | |||||||
| 975007 | 975008 | Noted 17/05/82 - at Norwich2 | |||||||
| 975007 | 975008 | Noted 30/01/84 - at Norwich2 | |||||||
| 975007 | 975008 | Noted 12/12/1985 - at Shenfield3 |
Formation Sources
1: Leonard Rogers
2: Gerald Brown
3: Robert Chilton
Images:
Unknown date
No details came with this image, but it's three West Cumberland sets, and appears to be M79612 leading (now preserved). Being a six-car formation and carrying sideboards it's probably one of the regular 'John Peel Land Cruise' trains. It is seen on the West Coast Main Line, passing over the Dillicar water troughs in the Lune Gorge just south of Tebay. Stuart Mackay Collection.
circa 1970
A closeup of the probe setup on the trolley under Derby Lightweight Ultrasonic Test Train vehicle 975008. The probes were mounted on a beam with end locations on bearings linked directly to the trolley wheels keeping the probes centered over the centre of the head giving maximum access down the web for the ultrasonic signals. Philip C Johnson.
circa March 1971
The 35mm photographic recording unit inside 975008, part of the Derby Lightweight Ultrasonic Test Train. These recorded the results from the probes, the analysis of the film afterwards was a slow manual process restricting operation to about 2,000 miles a year. They were later replaced with magnetic tape, the digital analysis was much faster allowing yearly mileage to be increased to about 10,000 miles a year. Image courtesy of Philip C Johnson. British Railways Board.
circa March 1971
The floor at the control desk area on Derby Lightweight Ultrasonic Test Train vehicle 975008. It shows two flaps opened up to show access to equipment and the floor windows which allow observation of the probe trolley. Image courtesy of Philip C Johnson. British Railways Board.
circa March 1971
The equipment operation control position on DB975008, part of the ultrasonic test train, circa March 1971. The operator can monitor the signals being recorded on film and the operation of the camera, and adjust the positions of the ultrasonic probes which he can observe through transparent panels in the floor. Image courtesy of Philip C Johnson. British Railways Board.
circa March 1971
An official image showing the equipment operation control position on DB975008, part of the ultrasonic test train, circa March 1971. British Railways Board.
circa March 1971
An official image showing the equipment operation control position on DB975008, part of the ultrasonic test train, circa March 1971. The operator can monitor the signals being recorded on film and the operation of the camera, adjust the positions of the ultrasonic probes which he can observe through transparent panels in the floor. British Railways Board.
circa March 1971
An official image showing the equipment operation control position on DB975008, part of the ultrasonic test train, circa March 1971. Although they can be barely seen in the poor quality image, there are floor windows on either side of the sliding seats. The operator could monitor the operation of the trolley underneath and its ultrasonic probes, the signals being produced and the recording camera function. British Railways Board.
circa March 1971
An official image showing the trolley under ultrasonic test car DB975008 (ex-79612). This carried the ultrasonic probe heads, these could be lifted to pass over points and crossings, the whole trolley would be raised clear of the rails to allow running at normal traffic speeds. British Railways Board.
Unknown date
DB9750008 (ex-79612) as part of the Ultrasonic Test train, Tyseley depot, probably not long after conversion. Graham Clark.
15th June 1974
The Ultrasonic Test Train at Tyseley, 15/6/74. This view clearly shows the undercarriage which dropped onto the rails when the set was recording. David Mant.
20th June 1976
The Ultrasonic Test Train is seen in Old Oak Common, 20th June 1976. Jim Ellington.
20th June 1976
975008 at Old Oak Common, 20/6/76. Jim Ellington.
11th December 1976
The Ultrasonic Test Train, DB975008 - 975007 (formerly Derby Lightweight M79612-M79018) at Old Oak Common depot on 11 December 1976. The DMU found its way into preservation as a result of its extended career in departmental service. Photographer - Roy Burt. Gordon Edgar Collection.
Unknown date
A detail on Derby Lightweight Ultrasonic Test Train vehicle 975008, possibly part of a more accurate speedometer system than the standard Smiths one. Philip C Johnson.
Unknown date
The text carried on the centre bobyside of the Derby Lightweight Ultrasonic Test Train vehicles. This is the number one (drivers) side of 975008, date unknown. Stuart Pearce.
Unknown date
Two of the Wells-Krautkramer sliding probes that were used on the Derby Lightweight Ultrasonic Test Train under 975008. Philip C Johnson.
Unknown date
The Ultrasonic Test Train (975008 + 975007) at Stratford depot, date unknown. Peter also sent an accompanying image of a new German UTT at Stratford, and noted "when tested against each other the new German one missed so many faults on the stretch of line it was sent back"! Peter Boor.
Unknown date
The Ultrasonic Test Train - 975008 + 975007 - location / date unknown. Walter Burt.
20th March 1980
Underframe detail on Ultrasonic Test Train vehicle ADB975008, ex-Trailer Composite 79612, at Finsbury Park Depot, 22 March 1980. Paul James.
24th February 1981
In the long-disappeared siding at East Croydon sits the Ultrasonic Test Train 975008/975007 on February 24, 1981. Jeremy Chapter.
25th February 1981
The Ultrasonic Test Train, formed of a Derby Lightweight dmu, is berthed at East Croydon on 25th February 1981. Tony Watson.
1983
The Derby Lightweight ultrasonic test train 975008 / 975007 seen at Stewarts Lane in 1983. John Law.
circa early/mid-1980s
Derby LIghtweight Ultrasonic Test Train 975008 + 975007 on Reading depot circa early/mid-1980s. Mike Bunker.
12th March 1983
Former Derby Lightweight DMU 975008 + 975007 and ex-Class 501 EMUs now battery electrics (probably 97-703 and 97-704) inside Cricklewood running shed on 12-3-83. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.
May 1983
The Ultrasonic Test Train, 975008 + 975007, in York station in May 1983. George Woods.
7th May 1983
With a red flag 'planted' between the rails as protection, the Derby Lightweight RTC Ultrasonic Test Train formed of cars DB975008 & DB975007 was stabled in the sidings at Dock Street, Preston on May 7th 1983. The unique vintage DMU was replaced by a heavily modified Metro-Cammell DMU (901001) in 1986, and subsequently the last surviving original Derby Lightweight two-car set fortunately passed into preservation. Martyn Hilbert.
circa April 1984
The Ultrasonic Test Train (975008 + 975007) at Faslane on West Highland Line. Circa April 1984. Spannerman37025.
circa 1985
From the kitchen window of my then nearby home on a date I can't find in my notebooks, but probably in 1985, I saw 31 426 arrive at Stratford-upon-Avon with the Derby Lightweight Ultrasonic Test Train (TDB975007/975008) in tow. It went into the Down Goods Loop where the class 31 was detached, ran along the up main line to the crossover before being coupled to 6Z08 and prepared to leave. After a brake test carried out I took this picture as 6Z08 left the loop to use the crossover (which the signalman maintained wasn't fit to use!) and joined the up main line towards Bearley Junction. Peter Tandy.
circa 1985
From the kitchen window of my then nearby home on a date I can't find in my notebooks, but probably in 1985, I saw 31426 arrive at Stratford-upon-Avon with the Derby Lightweight Ultrasonic Test Train (TDB975007/8) in tow. It went into the Down Goods Loop where the class 31 was detached, ran along the up main line to the crossover before being coupled to 6Z08 and prepared to leave. Here, the second man watches the locomotive approach along the by then rarely used loop which was taken out of use within a few weeks. Peter Tandy.
1st August 1985
The Derby Lightweight Ultrasonic Test train 975008 + 975007 stopped at Leamington Spa. The driver is on the phone to the Signal box visible beyond him, officially Leamington Spa SB though the cast nameboard included North, but not picked out in white, while the diagram included Jc. The adjacent box to the South was by then, Fenny Compton. The new SSI PSB is behind the photographer then in shadow mode. P42 is a power operated derailer as there isn't room for a trap point. Nicholas T Smith.
23rd August 1986
975008 is seen stabled at Tyseley on 23.08.1986. It was converted from 79612, and is with partner 975007. Andy Cole.
July 1987
The Ultrasonic Test Train 975008 + 975007 seen entering Reading station circa July 1987. Stuart Mackay Collection.
12th August 1987
The Ultrasonic Test Train 975008 + 975007 is seen at Penzance on 12.08.1987. Andy Cole.
1988
The Ultrasonic Test Train 975008 / 975007 in the sidings next to Leicester Station circa summer 1988. Brian Ward.
1988
The Ultrasonic Test Train 975007 / 975008 in the sidings next to Leicester Station circa summer 1988. Brian Ward.
1988
The Ultrasonic Test Train 975008 / 975007 in the sidings next to Leicester Station circa summer 1988. Brian Ward.
30th March 1989
Derby Lightweight Ultrasonic Test Train DB975008 and DB9750007 at Inverness on 30/03/89. Roddy MacPhee.
1st May 1990
Hiding behind the wagons at Reading on 1 May 1990 are both first generation DMU ultrasonic test trains, the original DB975007 + DB975008 on the left and the replacement (977391 + 999602 + 977392) on the right. Stuart Parkinson.
The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:
Date: circa 1970
The cab of one of the vehicles (975007 or 975008) on the Derby Lightweight Ultrasonic Test Train showing the loggers seat and panel. If you look carefully you should see a fine vertical rod attached to and set in from the outer edge of the drivers window. There was one on each side for the logger to line up this with the mile posts as they were passed. This was recorded on the film to give the film examiner a method to precisely locate the location of any defects detected. The driver had a similar set up in front of him to activate a trolley axle locking system when passing through crossovers or S&C. This was necessary as the axles of the trolley were spring loaded outwards to ensure the flanges were always pressed against the gauge corner. Philip C Johnson.
Date: circa March 1971
An official image showing British Railways new two-vehicle ultrasonic rail testing train at work. The power car DB975007 is leading, the trolley carrying the ultrasonic probes is mounted underneath the trailer car (DB975008). Taken circa March 1971, the vehicles were formerly M79018 and M79612 based in the West Cumberland area. British Railways Board.
Date: circa March 1971
An official image showing the cab of one of the vehicles (975007 or 975008) of the ultrasonic test train circa March 1971. The extra raised seat in the centre of the cab was for the logger who would use the keyboard on the console to note the sighting of lineside mileposts which would record then on the film produced by the ultrasonic test gear. A third seat, out of view, was fro the train captain. Note the traditional Yellow Diamond 'cowhorn' throttle and the matching early style gear controlled has been replaced by the later style controls used on Blue Square vehicles. British Railways Board.
Date: circa March 1971
An official image showing the cab of one of the vehicles (975007 or 975008) of the ultrasonic test train circa March 1971. The crew are sitting in position, probably just posing for the photograph, the driver to the left and the logger on the right. Out of sight to the right is another seat position for the train captain. British Railways Board.
Date: circa 1971
Reading based Derby Lightweight "Low Density" 2-car DMU DB975007 (formerly DMBS M79018) and DB975008 (DTC M79612) operating as Ultrasonic Test Train at Tyseley - c.1971. Both cars are now preserved at the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway. 53A Models of Hull Collection.
Date: circa early 1970s
The Ultrasonic Test Train 975007 + 975008 in Old Oak Common Depot circa early 1970s. Tony Wilkins.
Date: 11th July 1973
The Derby Lightweight Ultrasonic Test Train DB975007 + DB975008 in Stratford Depot on 11 July 1973. Alistair Ness.
Date: 11th January 1975
Ultrasonic Test Train DB975007 + DB975008 at Old Oak Common East Junction on 11 January 1975. Kevin Lane.
Date: 30th March 1979
The Derby Lightweight Ultrasonic Test Train 975007 + 975008 seen at Leamington Spa on 30/03/1979. Graeme Phillips Collection.
Date: unknown
975007 + 975008, the Ultrasonic Test Train at Faversham. Date unknown. Stuart Pearce.
Date: 4th March 1980
The Derby Lightweight Ultrasonic Test Train 975007 + 975008 seen at Sonning on 4 March 1980. Brian Daniels.
Date: 14th April 1980
The Derby Lightweight Ultrasonic Test Train 975007 + 975008 stabled on Reading Depot on 14 April 1980. Brian Daniels.
Date: 24th February 1981
This ultrasonic test train comprised a train of Derby lightweight dmu coaches M79018 (renumbered DB975007) and M79612 (DB975008). This view was taken from the SR Central Divisional HQ (Essex House) on 24 February 1981. Jeremy Chapter.
Date: 2nd July 1981
The Ultrasonic test train 975007 and 975008 stands at Berwick-upon-Tweed on 3rd July 1981. Paul Bettany.
Date: unknown
The Derby Lightweight ultrasonic test train (DB975007 + DB975008) at Reading on 1 May 1990. On the right is its replacement (977391 + 999602 + 977392), on the left a loose 119 power car. Stuart Parkinson.
Date: 25th September 1982
The Ultrasonic Test Train 975007 / 975008 seen at Reading on the 25th September 1982. Jerry Glover.
Date: April 1984
The Ultrasonic Test Train (975007 + 975008) at Craigendoran Junction in April 1984. Spannerman37025.
Date: circa April 1984
The Ultrasonic Test Train (975007 + 975008) at Eastfield TMD circa April 1984. Spannerman37025.
Date: 15th April 1984
6Z08 Ultrasonic Test Train (975007 / 975008) near Garelochhead on 15/4/84. Driver Peter Walker and secondman Brian Guthrie look fed up sat in the back cab. Spannerman37025.
Date: 6th July 1985
Displaying the headcode 6Z08, Ultrasonic Test Train DB975007 - DB975008 arrives at the south end of platform 6 at Wigan North Western, 6th July 1985. Built in 1955 the unit had been converted to departmental use 15 years earlier and would eventually be secured for preservation after final withdrawal in 1994. S Gaskell.
Date: 10th August 1985
This is what the Ultrasonic Test Train looked like in 1985. It consisted of two Derby Lightweight DMU vehicles carrying the numbers 975007 + 975008 and on 10 August of that year was carrying the reporting number 6Z08 while running from Derby to Marylebone when I photographed it passing Leamington Spa station. Peter Tandy.
Date: 22nd October 1985
The Derby Lightweight Ultrasonic Test Train 975007 + 975008 at Newcastle on 22/10/1985. Graeme Phillips Collection.
Date: unknown
Reading stabling point taken from a Reading to Baskingstoke train. The Derby Lightweight Ultrasonic Test Train (975007 (closest)/975008) can be seen, as well as 117s, a 101 centre car and a 119 DMBC with a bashed cab. John McIntyre.
Date: 23rd August 1986
975007 is seen at Tyseley carriage sidings on 23.08.1986 coupled to it's long time partner 975008. Andy Cole.
Date: July 1987
The Derby Lightweight Ultrasonic Test Train 975007 + 975008 rests probably at Reading station, circa July 1987. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Date: 25th July 1988
975007/975008 seen at Reading on 25/7/88. Hamish Stevenson.
Date: unknown
The Ultrasonic Test Train 975007 / 975008 in the sidings next to Leicester Station - date unknown. Ian Francis.