BRE - Leyland National Railbus

One That Got Away

We recently viewed a BRE Leyland railbus demonstrator currently on the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway. One of only a small number built using National bus body components on a 4 wheel chassis built by BRE, it was a precursor to the Nodding Donkey class 140/141/142 dmus. It is powered by a 200hp 6 cylinder Leyland TR11 engine driving through a fully automatic gearbox. A flexicoil suspension system supposedly allowed the unit to be used at speeds up to 100mph!

RB004 had travelled over the world during its life, and had gained large bells on each end when it went to USA, along with buckeye couplings and air conditioning! On its return to Britain in 1986 it was converted into an office, with all seating removed. At the same time the exterior was used for paint trials, hence the current unusual livery.

Whilst at Embsay, seats have been replaced and much mechanical & electrical work has been carried out to restore it to working order. However it was decided that it didn't have a future on the line, so was put up for sale. We knew it had been available for some months, but were nevertheless disappointed to find out that it had been sold recently to another preserved railway. The price? A bargain £2000!