79960 Waggon und Maschinenbau Railbus

Home Railway

North Norfolk Railway

Location History

North Norfolk Railway Jun 67-Nov 12

Current Location

Ribble Steam Railway

Current Status

Operational

Visited Railways

Llangollen RailwayJun 06

Current Livery

BR Green (Speed Whiskers)

Battlefield Line Sep 06

TRA Designation

4

Ribble Steam Railway Nov 12-Present

Owner

North Norfolk Railway plc

Llangollen RailwayJun 16

Website

www.nnrailway.co.uk

Ecclesbourne Valley Railway May 18

Record Last Updated

12 October 2024

Preservation Modifications
None

Preservation Information
After a rather short and unsuccessful career on British Railways, 79960 was preserved in 1967 on the embryonic North Norfolk Railwayalong with classmate 79963, the pair arriving by rail over the level crossing at Sheringham before it was removed by BR. The two were considered suitable for a growing heritage operation and were soon repainted into a (fictitious) tan livery which was a recreation of the original Midland & Great Northern engines which ran the line, but 79960 was returned to its original BR green livery some time later.

79960 (and 79963) ran successfully on the growing NNR during the early 1970's, substantially in ex-BR condition.

In 1976 the gearbox from sister vehicle 79963 was fitted to ensure continued service of 79960 following a transmission failure.

1977/1978 saw a minor interior refurbishment undertaken on 79960, however the vehicle was withdrawn from service in December 1978 following a fractured piston and detached con rod. The decision was made to fully overhaul 79960 as sister vehicle 79963 had been returned to service following engine repairs. The overhaul started in December 1978 when the engine was removed, dismantled and assessed. In May 1979 repairs (totalling £2000) were authorised and illusive Bussing (German) spares were ordered, although it would be some time before they arrived. In the meantime during 1979 corrosion repairs to the steel ends were undertaken. In 1980 the underframe components were overhauled including the cooling system and radiator, the underframe was repainted black in June. The pneumatic passenger doors were also overhauled and tested. November 1980 saw the engine components arrive which were rapidly refitted to the engine, the vehicle undertaking a successful test run shortly afterwards. January 1981 saw work focus on the interior which was stripped down and revarnished. The rotten floor was replaced and new lino fitted. The driver's control panels were overhauled and refitted in June with the seat frames stripped and repainted in December. The luggage racks were also restrung. In January 1982 the seating was reupholstered and later refitted, following which focus returned to the vehicle's exterior. During the spring the outside was rubbed down, undercoated twice and glossed twice, finished off with a coat of varnish.

79960, now fully overhauled, re-entered service in May 1982.

Between 1982 and 1988, 79960 worked services regularly on the NNR which opened its extension to Holt during the period, 79960 being used considerably on shuttles to Kelling Heath Halt (partway down the extension) where there was no run round facilities.

In 1988 the vehicle was repainted.

By 1989 the engine was in need of overhaul again and conversion to an AEC was being considered, the seating from 79960 was surrendered to 79963 during the summer.

In Winter 1990/1991 the mechanical components on 79960, in need of overhaul, were removed from the vehicle which was withdrawn from service and stored. In 1992 a programme for a full refurbishment of 79960 was submitted to the North Norfolk Railway board. However by1998 79960 was in store again with work concentrating on sister vehicle 79963.

During 2000 overhaul work on 79960 picked up again with heavy work on welding the floor completed and a restored interior refitted by the railway's Carriage & Wagon department.

In 2002 the vehicle was re-launched into passenger service having been rebuilt inside and out, and worked regularly on its home line the North Norfolk once again.

During 2006 the vehicle embarked on a mini tour, starring at the Llangollen Railway’s annual gala and at the Railcar Convention at the Battlefield Line.

79960 returned to NNR use between 2007 & 2012, although the line had grown to such an extent that the vehicle often could not cope during times of higher demand such as the holiday season. So the vehicle saw use instead during the mid and low seasons, still covering several thousand miles each year.

In late 2012, 79960 was sent on loan to the Ribble Steam Railway on a five year agreement, its place on the NNR effectivly taken by the National Railway Museum's Class 101 set 51192 & 56352 which was hired by the NNR to provide a back up to its own Class 101 set 51228 & 56062, a role previously covered by 79960. Although the vehicle had seen 10 years of NNR service since its major rebuild, the vehicle was still in excellent condition. 79960 operated well for the five years, on off-peak services, and also visited the Llangollen Railway for a second time in summer 2016 for a gala weekend.

2017 saw the end of the 5-year loan agreement. As the situation at both NNRand Ribble had not changed, and in light of the excellent way in which 79960 had been treated whilst on loan (kept undercover and repainted), the agreement was extended.

In 2018 the vehicle was on its travels again, being the visitor for the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway's DMU gala in 2018. It was returned to the Ribble Steam Railway shortly afterwards.

In 2023, 79960 was used for a relaxed six days in service covering 107 miles.

In 2024, the vehicle ran for around ten days in traffic.

79960 continues to see off-peak use at the Ribble Steam Railway where its loan continues.

Future Plans
To maintain in service. 79960 is on loan until at least 2028.

E79960 in service working its usual summer midweek duties, 31/7/24. John Hartley

E79960 working services at Ribble, 5/10/19. Andy Jackson

E79960 stands at Duffield on the evening Fish & Chip special (18:00 Duffield-Wirksworth) whilst visiting for the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway's DMU Gala, 19/5/18. Chris Moxon

E79960 stands alongside fellow 79XXX vehicle 79018 at Wirksworth on the evening Fish & Chip special (18:00 Duffield-Wirksworth) whilst visiting for the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway's DMU Gala, 19/5/18. Chris Moxon

E79960 at Llangollen during its vist to the Llangollen Railcar Gala, 11/6/16. Richard Hargreaves

E79960 at Carrog during its vist to the Llangollen Railcar Gala, 11/6/16. Richard Hargreaves

E79960 being unloaded at Llangollen to visit for that year's railcar gala, 7/6/16. Evan Green-Hughes

E79960 in service, 27/8/15. Shaun Whitehead

E79960 stabled at the Ribble Steam Railway, 28/6/14. Gary Duckworth

E79960 stabled at the Ribble Steam Railway, 10/13. David Rusell

E79960 jus after departure from Holt heading towards Weybourne & Sheringham, 30/6/11. Chris Moxon

E79960 heads towards Weybourne at Windpump Crossing, Kelling, 30/6/11. Chris Moxon

E79960 passes Dead Man's Bridge, 29/6/11. Chris Moxon

E79960 approaching Holt, 29/6/11. Chris Moxon

E79960 approaching Holt, 27/6/11. Chris Moxon

E79960 arrives into Weybourne, 27/6/11. Chris Moxon

E79960 heads towards Sheringham early in the morning on an ECS during the diesel gala, 26/6/11. Chris Moxon

With Weybourne windmill in the background, E79960 heads towards Holt during the diesel gala, 26/6/11. Chris Moxon

E79960 passes Sheringham Golf Course during the diesel gala, 26/6/11. Chris Moxon

E79960 crosses Bridge 303 during the diesel gala, 26/6/11. Chris Moxon

E79960 heads towards Sheringham at Bridge 303 during the diesel gala, 26/6/11. Chris Moxon

E79960 appracohes Kelling Heath Halt during the diesel gala, 26/6/11. Chris Moxon

E79960 descends Kelling Bank during the diesel gala, 26/6/11. Chris Moxon

E79960 climbs Kelling Bank during the diesel gala, 26/6/11. Chris Moxon

E79960 calls at Kelling Heath Halt during the diesel gala, 26/6/11. Chris Moxon

E79960 climbs through Kelling Heath Cutting with the last train of the day to Holt, 9/8/10. Chris Moxon

E79960 departs Holt on the last train of the day, 9/8/10. Chris Moxon

E79960 passes Dead Man's Bridge returning to Weybourne with an ECS from Sheringham after the days services were finished, 9/8/10. Chris Moxon

E79960 in the yard at Weybourne, 11/8/08. Daniel Adkins

E79960 stabled inside Weybourne shed, 28/6/08. Chris Moxon

E79960 passes Bridge 299 on the approach to Holt, 7/8/07. Chris Moxon

E79960 passes Sheringham Golf Couse, 7/8/07. Chris Moxon

E79960 calls at Weybourne, 5/8/07. Chris Moxon

E79960 at Shackerstone whilst visiting the Battlefield Line for the Railcar Convention, 9/9/06. Chris Moxon

E79960 at Shenton whilst visiting the Battlefield Line for the Railcar Convention, 9/9/06. Chris Moxon

E79960 during a photo stop at Hedley' Crossing whilst visiting the Battlefield Line for the Railcar Convention, 9/9/06. Chris Moxon

E79960 on a lorry en-route to the Battlefield Line for a gala visit, Sep 2006. Ritchie Marcus

E79960 being shunted by a Class 08 at Sheringham, 9/8/06. Chris Moxon

E79960 & Class 104 M50528 at Llangollen whilst visiting the Llangollen Railway for their annual Railcar Gala, 10/6/06. Bill Taylor

E79960 at Llangollen whilst visiting the Llangollen Railway for their annual Railcar Gala, 10/6/06. Bill Taylor

E79960 at Carrog whilst visiting the Llangollen Railway for their annual Railcar Gala, 10/6/06. Chris Moxon

E79960 departs Sheringham, 4/7/04. David Beardmore

E79960 & E79663 are seen in the yard at Weybourne, Dec 2002. Peter Wreford

E79960 under restoration in Weybourne shed, 17/9/01. Stuart Mackay

E79960 at Weybourne working a service to Kelling, before the North Norfolk had extended to Holt, 27/8/86. David McGuire

79960 stands at Sheringham with 79963 visible on the left during the 1980's. Brian King

E79960 stabled at Sheringham, 6/84. Richard Waterhouse

E79960 entering Sheringham, 1982. David Dunn

A rare photo of E79960 working in tandem with E79963 at Weybourne, 8/5/82. David Dunn

A rare photo of E79960 working in tandem with E79963 at Weybourne, 8/5/82. David Dunn

NN79960 stabled under the bridge at Sheringham. During the 1970's extensive use of the railbusses was made hauling works trains consisting of a wagon or two, as seen here, 27/5/79. Jim Platt

E79960's cab (Sheringham end) in the evening sunlight after services have finished, Weybourne Yard, 1/7/11. Chris Moxon

E79960's Sheringham end saloon in the evening sunlight after services have finished, Weybourne Yard, 1/7/11. Chris Moxon

E79960's Holt end saloon in the evening sunlight after services have finished, Weybourne Yard, 1/7/11. Chris Moxon

E79960's cab (Sheringham end), 26/7/08. Chris Moxon

E79960's Sheringham end saloon, 26/7/08. Chris Moxon

E79960's Holt end saloon, 26/7/08. Chris Moxon

E79960's passenger vestibule (seaward side), 26/7/08. Chris Moxon

E79960's cab controls, 9/9/06. Chris Moxon

Restored cab view of E79960 at Sheringham, 1982. David Dunn