Swedish Railways 1212 'Helga' is one of a once extensive

Class of railcars of which nearly four hundred were constructed by Eksjoverken between 1953 and 1961. Whilst we were building more conventional-looking railcars in the UK one cannot help but be impressed by this rather elegant and rounded Swedish design. Notice the considerable drop down into the passenger cabin from platform height. The units sat much closer to track level that was conventionally the case. This contributed to a lower centre of gravity that meant that they could reach the dizzy heights of seventy-eight miles per hour! 1212 is seen at Yarwell Junction station ready to work the 16.20 service back to Wansford.