LEV1 (RDB975874)

Home Railway	National Railway Museum (Shildon)	Location History	National Railway Museum (York) 87-Jun 04
Current Location	National Railway Museum (Shildon)		National Railway Museum (Shildon) Aug 12-Present
Current Status	Static Display
Current Livery	Yellow	Visited Railways	North Norfolk Railway Jun 04-Aug 12
TRA Designation	E		Wensleydale Railway Oct 12-Apr 24
Owner	National Railway Museum
Website	railwaymuseum.org.uk
Record Last Updated	1 August 2024
Preservation Modifications None
Preservation Information Experimental railbus with a body based on the Leyland National bus. Used for trials on branch lines in the Norfolk area during its British Rail days. The vehicle has carried its current yellow livery since new. Owned by the NRM, LEV1 was initially stored at York before moving to the geographically appropriate North Norfolk Railway in 2004. A small team restored LEV1 which had been out of use for many years between 2004 & 2010. The vehicle was launched into service on the 17th April 2010. It is believed that this was its first passenger run since July 1983 on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. Although used at galas including Diesel and Bus events, LEV1 saw comparatively little use, and was relocated to the Wensleydale Railwayin 2012 via the NRM's Shildon site. In October 2012, LEV1 made its first moves on the Wensleydale Railway. The heater was also revived a short time later, however its operational stint was not to last long, and the vehicle was later stored in an increasingly growing line of DMU vehicles in the sidings at Leeming Bar. After over ten years stored out of use, the Wensleydale Railway made some repairs and repainted LEV1 to make it suitable for static display again, before swiftly returning it to its owners at theNational Railway Museum. On arrival, it was placed on display alongside other prototype vehicles in a themed display.
Future Plans LEV1 will remain on display at the museum.

	LEV1 looking much better after a cosmetic repaint and now safelty undercover and on display at NRM Shildon, seen alongside other prototype vehicles, 8/5/24. Brian Cunningham

	LEV1 stored at Leeming Bar, 28/12/23. Ian Dobson

	LEV1 stored in the long siding at Leeming Bar, 16/2/20. Darren JB

	LEV1 stabled at Leeming Bar, 8/6/14. Zoe Hunter

	LEV1 shortly after arrival at the Wensleydale Railway, 23/10/12. Jon Horsman

	LEV1 during its brief stay at the National Railway Museum at Shildon, 16/10/12. Anon Mouse

	LEV1 stabled at Weybourne, 30/10/11. Mike Gill

	LEV1 passing Waggon und Maschinenbau railbus E79960 at Weybourne station, 18/4/10. Tony Smith

	LEV1 at Weybourne station, 18/4/10. Tony Smith

	Under restoration in the yard at Weybourne, 19/7/09. Chris Moxon

	Under restoration in the yard at Weybourne, 26/7/08. Chris Moxon

	LEV1 stored next to the car park at Sheringham, about a year after it arrived there, 24/7/05. Aaron Browning