Railcar of the Year 2014
Congratulations to the winner of the Railcar of the Year award: Class 111 E59575
The Nominations
Derby Lightweight 79900: One of preservation’s firm favourites, the sole surviving Derby Lightweight single unit M79900, has always been known as Iris. M79900 was nominated for its contribution to bringing DMU’s to a wider audience when the vehicle visited East Midlands Trains’ Derby Etches Park open day in September. The visit was of particular historical value, as of course Derby is the spiritual home of first generation DMU’s, being the birthplace of the pioneering Derby Lightweight sets in 1954. To have a Derby Lightweight back in Derby (for the first time since the three departmental Derby Lightweights left the research centre there), complete with correct destination on the roller blind, was a special event and certainly a highlight in 2014.
Class 108 51950 & 52062: The only complete set up for nomination in 2014 was Class 108 51950 & 52062 based on the Telford Steam Railway. This set had broken new ground following the decision to paint them in BR Western Region chocolate & cream colours. Whilst on the face of it a potentially unpopular choice to the purist, with so many Class 108’s in preservation it is felt that the (strictly unauthentic) livery has contributed a refreshing look that should be celebrated. The chocolate & cream colours are no stranger to DMU’s, as for the Great Western Railway anniversary celebrations Class 117 and 121 units were decorated such. The Class 108 emulates these two suburban celebrities as well as achieving something different in DMU preservation.
Class 111 59575: Representing the return of a long lost Class was the unique Class 111 buffet car E59575. Its return to traffic in 2014 at the Great Central Railway marked the end of an astonishing journey. Originally preserved as loco hauled stock, the asbestos contamination of this vehicle blighted its fortunes, as successive owners were unable to tackle the extensive stripping and associated restoration costs. After a string of successive homes, by the mid 2000’s 59575 was the only surviving Class 111 vehicle, and also one of only two DMU buffet cars to survive, making it a valuable vehicle. Despite being stripped of asbestos the vehicle remained an empty shell requiring a full rebuild. Step in Renaissance Railcars at the Great Central, who successfully saved and restored the vehicle to passenger service. 2014 saw the vehicle see passengers for the first time in 30 years and also operating in a proper DMU formation (within a Class 101 set) for the first time in 40 years. The group are to be congratulated for turning around the fortunes of such a rare vehicle and restoring it to such a high standard.
Class 117 59515: Arguably the most unusual choice was Class 117 59515, nominated in recognition of an example of using a DMU vehicle otherwise displaced from preservation activities for a new purpose. As many readers are aware, there is a surfeit of Class 117 centre cars, exceeding the number of powercars that they can operate with. Consequently there are many Class 117’s used as loco hauled coaching stock, and their futures can be put in doubt when a railway dispenses with them in favour of “proper” coaching stock. 59515 was such a vehicle, preserved at the West Somerset Railway for use in a loco hauled set but later falling out of favour. Rather than be scrapped, the vehicle had been bought by the Yeovil Railway Centre, who converted it into an all purpose coach to use on their demonstration running line. The vehicle was heavily modified with end windows providing a forward view and notably the toilet area being removed, double doors inserted and the surrounding saloon made available for wheelchair users. The vehicle is now in traffic in a pleasing green & cream livery, in stark contrast to the vehicle’s recent life of standing in a siding out of use.
W&M Railbus 79962: Last but not least was Waggon und Machinenbau Railbus 79962 based at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. The Worth Valley already operated a very well restored and maintained Railbus, sister vehicle 79964, so the future looked uncertain for 79962 which was in (very!) long term storage on the railway. Latterly invisible to the outside world, sheeted over at Haworth, the vehicle’s body and interior had deteriorated to the extent that restoration would be a considerable undertaking. Would the railway undertake such work on a duplicate vehicle? Happily, the vehicle was transferred to the Vintage Carriages Trust, who immediately set about returning the vehicle to its former glory. When complete 79962 is to be available to other railways if required and will operate on the Worth Valley. The VCT, who have a proven track record and a string of examples of excellent restorations, are to be commended for taking on this attractive vehicle.
Voting Pattern
It wasn't a clear cut race to the finish. The Class 111 did secure the lead on day one of the voting process, however on day two the votes turned towards Class 108 W51950/W52062 which had been turned out in Chocolate & Cream colours at the Telford Steam Railway. The Class 108 then proceeded to hold the lead for 21 (out of the 31 days) days before a flurry ofsupport for the Class 111 reclaimed the lead on the 23rd of December. With no further game changing numbers of votes, E59575 was declared the winner of the award by just 18 votes.
| Place | Vehicle | Number of Votes |
| 1st | Class 111 E59575 | 84 |
| 2nd | Class 108 W51950/W52052 | 66 |
| 3rd | Derby Lightweight M79900 | 18 |
| 4th | Railbus M79962 | 8 |
| 5th | Class 117 W59515 | 0 |