50980 Class 108 Driving Motor Brake Second
Home Railway |
Location History |
Bodmin & Wenford Railway Aug 93-Mar 18 |
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Current Location |
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Weardale Railway Mar 18-Present |
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Current Status |
Operational |
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Current Livery |
BR Green (Speed Whiskers) |
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TRA Designation |
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Partner Vehicle(s) |
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Owner |
Weardale Railway Trust |
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Website |
None |
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Record Last Updated |
1 March 2023 |
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Preservation Modifications |
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Preservation Information The vehicle was made operational and painted into its original BR Green colour scheme to fit in with the line’s 1950’s/1960’s image. Other Class 108's departed the line but 50980 was retained and provided off peak services to the railway for many years. In 2017 the vehicle was repainted. In 2018 the vehicle was offered for sale as its place on the railway had been taken by recently preserved Class 121 55020. It was quickly purchased along with partner 52054, the set changing hands for almost £50,000, and moved onto the Weardale Railway in March. They were given a deep clean internally and a lot of mechanical work was undertaken before the set made its debut in October 2019 for the annual railcar association convention. It was recognised that the vehicles were "far from finished", nevertheless they were now able to return to regular services and be improved further on a rolling basis. For a time 50980 & 52054 operated heritage services at the Weardale Railway, proving useful when passenger demand outstripped the capacity of the resident single unit 55012, or when the latter required maintenence. Unfortunately in March 2022 a shunting accident resulted in severe collision damage to 52054, withdrawing the vehicle from service whilst it was decided what route to take. As a consequence, 50980, whilst remaining operational, has been out of service without a partner to run with. |
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Future Plans |
Interior