Retro Swedish railcar back on track after re-fit

A Swedish Railcar is on track to be re-entered into service after an extensive restoration.

The Nene Valley Railway (NVR) in Peterborough said the diesel mechanical railbuses, built in 1958, would be open for passengers to ride on 9 July.

The retro-looking vehicle is made up of two carriages - a 1212 Motor Car and 1987 Trailer Car - which have been affectionately nicknamed Helga and Hagar.

They were built for the Swedish State Railways and are thought to be the only Swedish railcar operating in the UK, according to the NVR.

The 1987 had been in a heritage railway collection in Arvdsjaur, Northern Sweden, after it was withdrawn from service in the 1970s.

It was bought in 2016 and shipped over to the NVR.

A spokesperson from the railway said: "Covid delayed the restoration but it entered service in May 2022.

"The 1212 was purchased and shipped to the UK, entering service on the NVR in 1984."

Its owner died in 1989 and the 1212 was sold to Fleggburgh in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, where it remained out of action and under cover before being used as a picnic coach at Tweedle Farm in Hartlepool.

In 2011, the 1987 was bought and transferred back to the NVR before it entered service again in 2012.

A spokesperson added: "The railcar has been out of service for about a year-and-a-half whilst it has been having a new roof fitted and new paint work.

"We are re-entering the railcar in to service on 9 July for passengers to ride in true Swedish style... It has two carriages that have been nicknamed Helga and Hagar."

They added it was the only Swedish Railcar operating in the UK.

Its first departure will be from Wansford at10:00 BST.

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