50321 Class 101 Driving Motor Composite Lavatory

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Great Central Railway

Location History

Great Central Railway 03-Present

Current Location

Great Central Railway

Current Status

Under Overhaul

Visited Railways

Peak Rail (Contract Overhaul) Jan 16-Oct 16

Current Livery

BR Green (Speed Whiskers)

TRA Designation

4

Partner Vehicle(s)

51427

Owner

Renaissance Railcars

Website

facebook.com/renrailgcr

Record Last Updated

12 May 2026

Preservation Modifications
None

Preservation Information
Latterly part of Sandite set 960993 with partner 51427, but modifications to this role were minimal. 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 selected for immediate return to service, and was operational mechanically by September 2003.

Interior and exterior work followed with the set emerging in BR Green in 2004.

The vehicle now forms part of a power twin set which sees very regular use on the first train of the day most weekends.

In 2012, the first class seating was reupholstered improving the quality of this area considerably. In September the vehicle played a key part in the Railcar Convention held at the GCR that year, and was in use on the driver experience trips during the weekend.

In 2014, the operating set was increased to 3 cars with the addition of unique Class 111 59575 and 51427 was replaced by 50266 in May 2015 so that the former could be released for a contract repaint.

In January 2016, 50321 was withdrawn from service and sent to Peak Rail for contract bodywork and a repaint, as it was felt that the work could not be done in house at that time. It returned in October of that year.

A 10 year period of very sucessful running followed in a 3-car set with 59575 & 51427.

In 2024, 50321 was withdrawn from traffic, primarily requiring tyre turning. However, a series of other cosmetic bodywork and interior tasks had also built up leading to an intermediate overhaul being tackled. The repairs proved to be somewhat protracted, taking around two-and-a-half years to complete. Assistance from both the Carriage & Wagon department at Rothley and the Locomotive department at Loughborough was utilised in a team effort, culminating in 51427 spending October 2025-April 2026 in the shed at Rothley receiving bodywork and repainting.

50321 is currently receiving the finishing touches to its overhaul prior to a return to traffic.

Future Plans
To maintain in service.

Externally finished E50321 being tripped from Rothley to Loughborough to rejoin partner E51427, 2/5/26. Jamie Swanson

The completed repaint to E50321 (actually finished some months previously) being topped off by a roof repaint at Rothley, 17/4/26. Jamie Swanson

Bodywork and repainting progressing along E50321 inside Rothley Carriage & Wagon works, 19/12/25. Jamie Swanson

E50321's bogies about to be sent away for tyre turning, 13/10/25. Jamie Swanson

E50321 lifted inside Rothley Carriage & Wagon works to allow the bogies to be sent away for tyre turning, 13/10/25. Jamie Swanson

E50321 stabled at loughborough, alongside Class 122 55009 under restoration, 17/3/24. Darren JB

E50321/E51427 operating Mountsorrel branch services, 24/8/23. Renaissance Railcars

E50321/E59575/E51427 at Rothley, with visiting Derby Lightweight M79900 on the rear creating an all green 4-car set at the railcar convention event, 10/9/22. Chris Moxon

E50321/E59575/E51427 at Quorn & Woodhouse, at work at the GCR vintage and beer festival, 7/21. Harry Adkins

E50321, with E59575 behind, viewed heading north through the road bridge at Quorn & Woodhouse whilst working crew training trips during the Covid-19 pandemic, 4/7/20. Bruce Pollard

E50321/E59575/E51427 have an exam undercover for the first time in their preserved lives, taking advantage of the new rolling stock sheds at Swithland, 1/12/19. Bruce Pollard

E50321/E59575/E51427 in the loop at Loughborough Central, 14/1/18. Brandon Morley

E50321/E59575/E51427 at leicester North during a steam gala, 29/1/17. Bruce Pollard

E50321/E59575/E50266 stand in platform 2 at Loughborough Central, 30/10/15. Ian McDonald

E50321/E51427 arrive into Leicester North 23 minutes late on the 10:15 from Loughborough. Although now regularly running as a 3-car set, the centre car was omitted during the winter months due to lack of heating on the vehicle, 10/1/15. Chris Moxon

E50321 & E51427 pass Woodthorpe with 2D04 10:06 Rothley-Loughborough driver experience trip during the railcar convention, 7/9/12. Chris Moxon

E50321 & E51427 pass Woodthorpe with 2C09 10:30 Loughborough-Rothley driver experience trip during the railcar convention, 7/9/12. Chris Moxon

E50321 & E51427 stand at Rothley with the 2D09 11:36 driver experience to Loughborough during the railcar convention, 7/9/12. Chris Moxon

E50321 & E51427 stand at Loughborough with the 2C08 14:00 driver experience to Rothley during the railcar convention, 7/9/12. Chris Moxon

E50321 & E51427 stand at Quorn & Woodhouse with the 2C32 14:50 Loughborough-Rothley driver experience trip during the railcar convention, 7/9/12. Chris Moxon

50321 & 51427 on Loughborough shed, 22/10/11. Andy Neil

E50321 & E51427 arrive into Quorn & Woodhouse during the Diesel Gala, 17/4/10. Chris Moxon

E50321 & E51427 run through Woodthorpe during the Diesel Gala, 17/4/10. Chris Moxon

E50321 & E51427 run through Kinchley Lane during the Diesel Gala, 17/4/10. Chris Moxon

E50321 & E51427 stand at Loughborough Central during the Diesel Gala, 17/4/10. Chris Moxon

E50321 & E51427 pass Woodthorpe on its usual mornign digram to Leicester and return, 21/3/09. Alan Padley

There's no staff shortages at Quorn & Woodhouse station, Great Central Railway, as the line's Class 101 power car twin glides to a halt with a special from Loughborough, terminating at Quorn, 12/9/08. Mel Holley

50321 & 51427 stabled at Loughborough, 16/9/06. David Beardmore

E50321/E51427 departing Quorn, 30/4/05. Brian Battersby

It's repaint into green underway, seen at Rothley with 51427, 17/9/04. Graham Turner

It's repaint into green underway, seen at Loughbourgh with 51427, 17/9/04. Graham Turner

50321 at Loughborough Central before lining was applied, 12/9/04. Simon Edwards

At Loughborough, 2/1/04.. Ian Francis

At Loughborough, 12/11/03. Stuart Mackay

50321's First Class saloon, 23/10/11. Andy Neil

50321's middle saloon, 23/10/11. Andy Neil