50170 Class 101 Driving Motor Composite Lavatory
Home Railway |
Location History |
Midland Railway Butterley Sep 04-Mar 11 |
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Current Location |
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Ecclesbourne Valley Railway Mar 11-Present |
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Current Status |
Stored |
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Current Livery |
BR Green (Plain End) |
Visited Railways |
Severn Valley Railway Oct 04 |
TRA Designation |
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Partner Vehicle(s) |
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Owner |
101692 Group |
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Website |
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Record Last Updated |
18 August 2024 |
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Preservation Modifications |
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Preservation Information In October 2004, the vehicle visited the Severn Valley Railway for the spectacular Railcar50 celebrations which involved a never-to-be-repeated line up of DMUs from all around the country at one gala event. This was only possible sue to generous funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. 50170 ran briefly as a 3-car set with centre car 59303 in 2005. 50170 was separtated from its DMBS partner 50253 when that vehicle was withdrawn for repairs, corrosion having built up in the brake van area. An alternative DMBS from visiting set 101685 (50164) was paired with 50170 which continued in service. In 2010, an agreement was reached to loan 50170 to the Severn Valley Railway as a spare power car while several of their own Class 108 fleet were out of service for major repair work. In preparation for this loan, 50170 was withdrawn from service and underwent much restoration. Internally, the first class saloon was reinstated (having been de-classified to second class pre preservation) along with a thorough clean for the rest of the vehicle. Externally, corrosion was tackled, and the vehicle repainted into original green livery. Additionally, the gutters were shortened to cover only the doorways, thereby returning them to original condition, and the original cab front arrangement (with four marker lights) was reinstated. 50170 was only the second Class 101 vehicle in preservation to have this feature recreated. Unfortunately the loan deal did not go ahead. In March 2011 agreement was reached for the Ecclesbourne Valley DMU Group to operate and maintain the vehicle, and 50170 was relocated to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway where it quickly entered passenger service. The vehicle did not operate in a fixed formation and could be found operating in a variety of sets. During June 2014, a replacement alternator was required after the output on the No2 alternator was found to be very poor. A new starter motor on the same engine followed. A gearbox change was also undertaken. In September & October a new toilet floor was fitted as the original had rotted away from years of "use"! The completion of the restoration of 50170's partner, 50253, in September 2015 allowed a fixed formation green liveried Class 101 set to be formed, consisting of 50170 with 59303 and 50253. 50170 ran as a 3-car set until March 2020 when it was stored out of service during the Covid pandemic. Sadly the vehicle deteriorated whilst in storage and resources were not available to undertake the previously planned interior refurbishment. The extended period out of traffic also highlighted the poor exterior condition with bodywork and repaint being required before the vehicle returned to service. 50170 remains in storage awaiting overhaul. |
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Future Plans |
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Interior
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The stripped out toilet inside E50170, 11/14. Ecclesbourne Valley Railway DMU Group |
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50170's cab (drivers side) which has been restored and the original maroon colour scheme reinstated, 3/4/13. Chris Moxon |
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50170's cab (secondmans side) which has been restored and the original maroon colour scheme reinstated, 3/4/13. Chris Moxon |
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50170's first class saloon. This area was restored in 2010 and the original first class seating returned, 3/4/13. Chris Moxon |
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50170's middle saloon. This area is pretty much in as withdrawn condition, 3/4/13. Chris Moxon |
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50170's rear saloon. This area is pretty much in as withdrawn condition, 3/4/13. Chris Moxon |