Class 120 buffet changes hands

THE sole-surviving Class 120 DMU car, buffet car (TRSLB) No. 59276, has been assured a future as part of the Renaissance Railcars fleet. Originally preserved by the Red Triangle Society back in 1984 for use with its two Class 127 cars (Nos. 51616 and 51622), it has been out of use in Swithland Sidings for more than 20 years. The ‘127' power cars were sold some time ago and are now based at the Helston Railway in Cornwall.

Ownership of No. 59276 has now passed to the Great Central Railway, with Renaissance Railcars becoming custodians. The vehicle contains blue asbestos which requires professional removal before work can begin on its restoration. It is planned to rebuild the car to near original condition.

■ No Class 120 power cars survive, the presence of blue asbestos meaning that the final power cars to be withdrawn (in 1989) were all sent to MC Metals at Glasgow for scrapping.

Ben Bucki The Keighley and Worth Valley has been rostering locomotives from the diesel fleet for the morning trains on the weekends, giving modern traction enthusiasts a welcome chance to enjoy haulage by some of the larger diesels on the line. Railfreightliveried No. 37075 is seen heading for Keighley at Damems on June 12.

Alistair Grieve ‘Peak' No. D8 Penyghent (later No. 44008) heads towards Darley Dale with the final train of the day, the 15.00 Matlock-Rowsley at Peak Rail on June 12. This was only the railway's second weekend of running after lockdown, with all trains ‘top and tail', steam and diesel.