A unique piece of rail history is set to become a vital part of North Dorset Railway's operations. The only survivor of six four-wheeled railbuses, built by Hertfordshire's Wickham & Co, is being delivered to the charity's base in Shillingstone on Tuesday.
The railbus, which has been in storage for many years, has a fascinating past. Originally built specifically for track inspection in the late 1950s, it was withdrawn from service in 1991 before being converted to carry passengers. For over 20 years, it carried passengers until 2003.
When the railbus is restored, it will initially be used as a coach to significantly expand passenger capacity. North Dorset Railway hopes to start carrying passengers later this year or early next year, and the railbus will play a key role in this expansion.
The on-board equipment of the railbus was cutting-edge for its time, allowing it to record track measurements on special photo-sensitive paper and display the previous record alongside. This made it easier to identify signs of deterioration and ensure the smooth operation of rail services.
The railbus will be on display at North Dorset Railway's station, which is open to visitors on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and most bank holidays. Volunteers at the charity are planning to start restoration work in spring 2027.