Vehicle 79742
ACV / BUT Lightweight Railcars
Builder: ACV / BUT
Layout: 4-Wheel Railcars
Length: 37ft
Coupling Code: Unique
Coupling Type: screw
Gangway Type: None
Lot Number: 30128
Diagram: 500
Allocations
| 22/01/55 | New to | 1C (Watford) | - had been on loan to BR since 1952, now BR stock |
| Feb-59 | Stored U. | 1C (Watford) | |
| Feb-59 | Withdrawn from | 1C (Watford) |
Notes
18/05/56 - 79742/4/6 were running as a three-car train on the St.Albans branch.
24/03/59 - M50413 failed before leaving Watford shed and so M79742/5 were rustled up for its duties on the Belmont line. By the time the pair reached Harrow M79746 had been added.
Disposal
Scrapped by BR, Derby C&W Works
Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:
| 79740 | 79741 | 79742 | Noted circa/1955 - St Albans Abbey, working to Watford Junction | ||||||
| 79740 | 79741 | 79742 | Noted 19th March 1955 | ||||||
| 79740 | 79741 | 79742 | Noted 25th April 1955 - Unit reappeared on Harrow-Belmont service. | ||||||
| 79742 | 79744 | 79746 | Noted 18th May 1956 | ||||||
| 79740 | 79747 | 79742 | Noted 1st November 1957 |
Images:
circa 1952
An image from a British United Traction brochure showing the three 1952 built ACV railcars at South Howden station on the Hull & Barnsley line. These would be numbered 1, 3 and 2, later becoming 79742, 79741 and 79740 when taken into BR stock. This was an enhanced image, with details picked out by hand, not uncommon in publications at the time. British United Traction.
15th March 1956
ACV railcar M79742 in Watford Junction station on 15 March 1956. This was originally number 1 when it began trials in 1952, renumbered when taken into BR ownership in January 1955. It would be allocated to 1C for its short BR career, withdrawal was in February 1959. Stuart Mackay Collection.
23rd January 1960
An ACV railcar on the Belmont branch seen from Harrow and Wealdstone on a rainy 23 January 1960. The three vehicles are thought to be M79742 + M79747 + M79745 which were the regular cars in use on the Belmont service at that time. Stuart Mackay Collection.
23rd January 1960
An ACV railcar in Belmont station on a rainy 23 January 1960. Closest is M79742, the other two are thought to be M79747 + M79745, the regular cars in use on the braqnch at that time. Stuart Mackay Collection.
The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:
Date: circa 1952
This image of a 4-wheeled chassis, from a British United Traction brochure, is thought to be from one of the first three ACV railcars (power car 1 or 2, later 79742 or 79740) that would have a Park Royal body fitted. British United Traction.
Date: 1953
A young lad looks into the future at West Bromwich in 1953. He is witnessing the departure of a BTU Park Royal bodied unit that utilised AEC bus engines, it had been withdrawn by 1959. At this time they were numbered simply 1, 2 and 3, when taken into BR stock they were given the numbers M79740, M79741 and M79742. West Bromwich Station was a substantial structure with a platform signal box and a fine cast iron canopy. The station even boasted a 1st class waiting room (far right) not too sure how much use that got.. This view is looking towards Wolverhampton, the bridge is Lyng Lane. Today the Midland Metro passes here with a service in both directions every 10 minutes. Image taken by Peter Shoesmith. Geoff Dowling and John Whitehouse Collection.
Date: 24th May 1954
A London Midland Region publicity image (negative DG499) showing the original three ACV/BUT railcar vehicles in Belmont station on 24 May 1954. Vehicles are 2 (later M79740), 3 (later M79741) and 1 (later M79742). Note the BUT plaque on the buffer beam. British Railways.
Date: 23rd January 1960
An ACV railcar in Harrow and Wealdstone station on a rainy 23 January 1960. The three vehicles are thought to be M79745 + M79747 + M79742 which were the regular cars in use on the Belmont service at that time. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Date: 23rd January 1960
An ACV railcar in Harrow and Wealdstone station on a rainy 23 January 1960. The three vehicles are thought to be M79745 + M79747 + M79742 which were the regular cars in use on the Belmont service at that time. Stuart Mackay Collection.