Ballater BEMU
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An experimental Battery Electric Multiple Unit (BEMU) ran between Aberdeen and Ballater from 1958.
Based on the Derby Lightweight DMU design, the two vehicles numbered Sc79998 and Sc79999 were fitted out at Cowlairs Works in Glasgow.
The experiment was not entirely successful, the BEMU spent several long periods out of use and it is not clear if it was in use after 1964. The Ballater branch closed to passengers in February 1966.
After being officially withdrawn from service in 1966, the BEMU moved south to join the BR Research fleet based at Derby and was renumbered RDB 975003/RDB 975004 and named Laboratory 16 "Gemini".
The BEMU was acquired for preservation and was based on the East Lancashire Railway from 1989 to 2001.
After a period in storage, in May 2006 it moved to the Royal Deeside Railway at Milton of Crathes on the former Ballater branch, where it has occasionally been used as hauled stock on the 1 mile heritage line.
Based on the Derby Lightweight DMU design, the two vehicles numbered Sc79998 and Sc79999 were fitted out at Cowlairs Works in Glasgow.
The experiment was not entirely successful, the BEMU spent several long periods out of use and it is not clear if it was in use after 1964. The Ballater branch closed to passengers in February 1966.
After being officially withdrawn from service in 1966, the BEMU moved south to join the BR Research fleet based at Derby and was renumbered RDB 975003/RDB 975004 and named Laboratory 16 "Gemini".
The BEMU was acquired for preservation and was based on the East Lancashire Railway from 1989 to 2001.
After a period in storage, in May 2006 it moved to the Royal Deeside Railway at Milton of Crathes on the former Ballater branch, where it has occasionally been used as hauled stock on the 1 mile heritage line.
The BEMU alongside steam loco Bon Accord at Crathes station, August 2016 Photo by big55012
The BEMU at Crathes West Platform, May 2019 Photo by big55012