Vehicle 79979
AC Cars Railbus
Builder: AC Cars
Layout: Railbus
Length: 36ft
Coupling Code: None
Coupling Type: None
Gangway Type: None
Lot Number: 30479
Diagram: 614
Allocations
| 2w/e 28/02/58 | New to | WR (Western Region) | |
| Aug-58 | Transferred to | 63A (Perth) | |
| 2w/e 09/04/60 | Transferred to | 67B (Hurlford) | |
| w/e 30/04/61 | Transferred to | 63A (Perth) | |
| w/e 30/06/61 | Transferred to | 67B (Hurlford) | |
| 4w/e 25/08/61 | Transferred to | 65H (Helensburgh) | |
| 05/03/62 | Transferred to | 67C (Ayr) | |
| 08/11/65 | Transferred to | 64H (Leith Central) | |
| 06/11/66 | Withdrawn from | 64H (Leith Central) |
Notes
13th February 1958 - On show at Marylebone
19th February 1958 - On show at Paddington.
mid-May 1959 - Sc79958/9 had arrived in Hamilton for driver training by mid-May 1959. The former had worked the first month of the Beith branch service - not devoid of failure and replaced by SC79979 (after it had spent several months on the Crieff branch). SC79959 had been on the Aviemore - Elgin line until replaced early in April by Sc79970. The other Park Royal SC79974 was at Ayr.
Disposal
Preserved - more details.
Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:
| 79979 | Noted 02/1966 - At Ardrossan on service to Kilmarnock |
Images:
1958
A driver posing at the controls of new AC Cars railbus Sc79979 for a publicity image in early 1958. AC Cars.
1958
Brand new AC Cars railbus Sc79979 circa early 1958. It would have whiskers added before delivery. AC Cars.
1958
A side view of brand new AC Cars railbus Sc79979 circa early 1958. AC Cars.
1958
The interior of an AC Cars railbus, presumably Sc79979 in early 1958. AC Cars.
1958
The drivers compartment of an AC Cars railbus, presumably Sc79979 in early 1958. British Railways.
8th August 1958
The first railbus to enter Scotland - Sc79979 - at the Gretna lineside border sign on 8th August 1958. It paused there for a series of photos, this one with officers of the Scottish Region - (left to right) Messrs. C Ross Campbell, Motive Power Superintendent; C.W. Stewart, Assistant General Manager; Mr. James Ness, General Manager; and M.G. Maycock, Chief Civil Engineer. British Railways.
8th August 1958
A Scottish Region publicity image (negative 8842) showing AC Cars railbus Sc79979 "at the border sign at Gretna". One of a series of images taken to commemorate the arrival of the first railbus to arrive in Scotland on August 8th 1958. Image courtesy of the AA MacLean Collection. British Railways.
8th August 1958
The first railbus to enter Scotland - Sc79979 - at the Gretna lineside border sign on 8th August 1958. It paused there for a series of photos, this one with (left to right) Inspector D. Robertson, Perth, driver D. Brown and guard W. Scott, Polmadie. British Railways.
19th August 1958
The Scottish Region's first railbus Sc79979 at Gleneagles station on 19th August 1958. On that day it did a demonstration run to Blackford and back for officials. British Railways.
19th August 1958
The Chairman of the Scottish Area Board Sir Ian Bolton speaks to the driver of AC Cars railbus Sc79979 D. Stewart at Gleneagles on 19th September 1958. The railbus, the first to arrive in Scotland, operated a demonstration run to Blackford and back for officials. British Railways.
19th August 1958
On the platform at Gleneagles station on 19th August 1959 are, from left to right: Mr James Ness, Scottish Region General Manager; Provost J Paterson, Auchterarder; Sir George McGlashan, Convener of Perth and Kinross Country Council; Sir Ian Bolton, Chairman, Scottish Area Board; Provost D.O. McLean, Crieff; Principal T.M. Knox, St Andrews University; and Sir James Denby Roberts. They are standing beside AC Cars railbus Sc79979 which took them on a demonstration run to Blackford and back. British Railways.
15th September 1958
On the first day of railbus services on the Gleneagles - Crieff/Comrie 15 September 1958 guard Tom Blair issues tickets on board SC79979. British Railways.
15th September 1958
Guard Tom Blair helps lift a pram on board AC Cars railbus SC79979 at Pittenzie Crossing. Taken on 15 September 1958, the first day of railbus services on the Gleneagles - Crieff/Comrie line. British Railways.
15th September 1958
Driver Charlie Robertson at the controls of SC79979 whilst at Crieff on 15 September 1958. British Railways.
15th September 1958
A young passenger climbing aboard railbus SC79979 at Strageath Crossing past guard Tommy Blair. Taken on the first day of railbus services on the Gleneagles - Crieff/Comrie line, 15 September 1958. British Railways.
11th October 1958
Sc79979 approaches Pittenzie Halt (Crieff) on the 11th October 1958. Stuart Mackay Collection.
May 1959
Sc79979 at Beith while on Beith - Lugton duties circa May 1959. Hamish Stevenson.
May 1959
Sc79979 on Beith - Lugton duties circa May '59 at Lugton. The poster on the station wall proclaims "New Diesel Railbus, Lugton - Barrmill - Beith" and uses the AC Cars line drawing. Hamish Stevenson.
27th March 1960
Sc79979 seen on Hurlford depot on 27/3/60 in the company of 77016. Mike McDonald Collection.
Unknown date
Sc79979 on Ayr depot. Date unknown. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Unknown date
With steps needed because of the low platform, Sc79979 sits at Dalmellington while on Kilmarnock duties. Date unknown. Hamish Stevenson.
Unknown date
Sc79979 at Dalmellington after arrival from Kilmarnock. Date unknown. Hamish Stevenson.
Unknown date
Sc79979 making a stop at Newmilns station on the Darvel branch, looking west. Date unknown. Hamish Stevenson.
Unknown date
Sc79979 awaiting departure for Dalmellington from the bay platform at Kilmarnock. Hamish Stevenson.
Unknown date
Sc79979 grounded at Craigentinny. Date unknown. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Unknown date
Sc79979 at Craigentinny, now a grounded body. Date unknown. AA McLean.
26th May 1974
Take the wheels off and there you have it, a mess van. SC79979 was resident in Craigentinny for a number of years. Seen on the 26th May 1974, on the left can be seen one of the Derby Lightweight vehicles that were also used there after withdrawal from passenger duties. 54A South Dock.
February 1977
SC79979 AC Cars Railbus Craigentinny February 1977. A sorry affair involved the recovery and removal of this unit to the Strathspey Railway in the early 80s where it was discovered to contain asbestos which was too costly to remove so it was taken to Glasgow for disposal. Alistair Ness.
February 1977
SC79979 AC Cars Railbus Craigentinny February 1977. A sorry affair involved the recovery and removal of this unit to the Strathspey Railway in the early 80s where it was discovered to contain asbestos which was too costly to remove so it was taken to Glasgow for disposal. Alistair Ness.
The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:
Date: 20th January 1968
AC Cars railbus W79977 at Larbert on 20 January 1968. It would be withdrawn two weeks later, just after the passenger services to Grangemouth ended. It was one of only two of the five vehicles to have a yellow panel on the cab fronts, slightly narrower than the one 79979. It was also easy to tell them apart as this one had a white roof dome. Stuart Mackay Collection.