50203 Class 101 Driving Motor Brake Second

Home Railway

Great Central Railway

Location History

Great Central Railway Nov 03-Present

Current Location

Great Central Railway

Current Status

Operational

Current Livery

BR Blue (Full Yellow End)

TRA Designation

4

Partner Vehicle(s)

50266 & 59506

Owner

Renaissance Railcars

Website

facebook.com/renrailgcr

Record Last Updated

8 July 2023

Preservation Modifications
The saloon strip lighting that was fitted to the vehicle during its BR refurbishment has been removed and the central conduit panelled over. Some non-original tungsten light shades, albeit in a heritage style, have been fitted in place of the strip lights.

Preservation Information
Latterly part of Sandite set 960992 with partner 50193, but modifications to this role were minimal, with most of the changes being made within the brakevan area. Moved to the Great Central with three other vehicles as part of two Sandite power twins in 2003, this vehicle was part of the set not selected for immediate return to service, so was put into store awaiting restoration.

50203 waited patiently for the restorations of 51427 (completed in 2005), 50321 (2005), 50266 (2013) and 59575 (2014) to be completed, after which 50203 reached the front of the restoration queue. However in a Forth Bridge style situation, the first two vehicles (51427 & 50321) then required an intermediate overhaul again as it had been 10 years since they had last had attention. This was completed by 2016 finally allowing resources to be directed towards 50203.

In November 2016 the vehicle was extracted from storage at Swithland Sidings and moved to the group's restoration base at Loughborough where cleaning of the body and emptying of the interior was undertaken to allow a full assessment of repairs required for its restoration.

During 2017 & 2018 some limited repairs were undertaken to the bodywork on the cab front, but the focus of restoration was on the interior and various electrical systems such as the lighting and cab instruments.

By 2019 the restoration was becoming morwe advanced. Many mechanical gremlins were fixed before the vehicle passed a fitness to run exam to allow it to operate on the railway. In a suprise move, the owning group comitted 50203 to be launched during a 50th anniversary of line closure event. In order to meet this deadline, the interior had to be very quickly assembled and the exterior given a quick coat of BR blue to make 50203 presentable.

In May 2019, exactly 50 years to the day since the Great Central Railway closed, 50203 carried passengers for the first time since 1998, newly launched into service with new partner 50266, which had also been repainted blue to create a matching set. It ran sucessfully both on its own and in multiple with the line's other Class 101 in a 5-car formation.

The following year saw the vehicle gradually improved internally, impressively during these works the vehicle was maintained operational and regular featured in service at various events and on normal days to relieve the other 3-car set for maintenence.

In September 2021, the set was increased to 3-cars with the addition of Class 117 TCL 59506.

In September 2022, the vehicle was repainted to freshen it up for the annual Railcar Association convention weekend which was being held at the railway that year.

Future Plans
50203 will continue to run in service paired with 50266. At the same time, further improvements will be made to the vehicle as time and the restoration of other vehicles allows.

A very rare view of 50203 up on jacks inside Rothley carriage works to release its bogies, 11/1/23. Jamie Swanson

M50203/W59506/M50266 arriving into Rothley having just reversed at the brook to access to down platform, for its return journey back to Loughborough during the railcar convention event, 10/9/22. Chris Moxon

M50203 arriving into Loughborough working winter services, on the last weekend of "normal" operating for the 2021 season, 28/11/21. Bruce Pollard

Under darkening skies M50203/M50266 arrive into Loughborough Central with another crew refresher trip, 20/6/20. Bruce Pollard

M50203/E59575/M50266 at Leicester North ready to return to Loughborough. Note the temporary strengthening of the set to 3-cars with the Class 11 centre buffet, 11/9/19. Bruce Pollard

M50203/M50266 race through Swithland Sidings during a steam gala event, 7/9/19. Clive Hanley

M50203 blends in at Loughborough Central on its very first day in public service following the completion of its restoration, 3/5/19. Chris Moxon

50203 at Loughborough just under a year after its restoration to full working order started, 9/9/17. Chris Moxon

A rare view of 50203/50193 visible from passing trains at Swithland Sidings. Normally the set was tucked away on sidings further back, impossible to photograph from public areas, 23/2/14. Chris Moxon

50203 & 50193 in store at Swithland Sidings, seen as part of an evening tour during the Railcar Convention, 8/9/12. Chris Moxon

In storage at Loughborough Central, 12/9/04. Simon Edwards

Another view in Loughborough station, 12/11/03. Stuart Mackay

Stabled in Loughborough Central station, 31/8/03.  Ian Francis

The interior restoration of M50203's cab freshly completed, 20/4/20. Bruce Pollard

The restored middle saloon, 22/2/20. Tom Horrocks-Taylor

The restored guards van, 22/2/20. Tom Horrocks-Taylor

50203's cab in store at Swithland Sidings, seen as part of an evening tour during the Railcar Convention, 8/9/12. Chris Moxon

50203's cab in store at Swithland Sidings, seen as part of an evening tour during the Railcar Convention, 8/9/12. Chris Moxon

50203's front saloon in store at Swithland Sidings, seen as part of an evening tour during the Railcar Convention, 8/9/12. Chris Moxon

50203's middle saloon in store at Swithland Sidings, seen as part of an evening tour during the Railcar Convention, 8/9/12. Chris Moxon

50203's middle saloon in store at Swithland Sidings, seen as part of an evening tour during the Railcar Convention, 8/9/12. Chris Moxon