51342 Class 117 Driving Motor Brake Second
Home Railway |
Location History |
Lavender Line Jul 94-Oct 96 |
|
Current Location |
|
Epping & Ongar Railway Jan 99-Present |
|
Current Status |
|
|
|
Current Livery |
|
Visited Railways |
Private Site: Snetterton (storage) Oct 96-Jan 99 |
TRA Designation |
|||
Partner Vehicle(s) |
None |
|
|
Owner |
|
|
|
Website |
|||
Record Last Updated |
1 January 2021 |
||
Preservation Modifications |
|||
Preservation Information 51342 was moved with partner 51384 to Snetterton for storage prior to a planned move to the Mid Norfolk Railway. However this did not happen and the two vehicles moved to the embryonic Epping & Ongar Railway three years later. Whilst there, 51342 saw some use, the lack of run round facilities making the DMU set ideal for passenger services. 51342 was first repainted into a non authentic “Epping & Ongar” red livery in 2000. In 2002, the vehicle was repainted into lined blue, another non-authentic livery with Epping & Ongar branding. Between 2004 and 2007 51342 & 51384 were used on passenger shuttles along the line during weekends. 2007 saw the vehicles fall out of use after the Epping & Ongar Railway closed for redevelopment, the line also saw a change of ownership during the period. During this period of closure, 51342 & 51384 have been taken out of traffic to be restored to original condition. 51342 was returned to BR Green livery on one side, while work also progressed on the interior. The railway re-opened for passenger services in 2012 using loco hauled trains, and 51342's restoration continued. 2011 saw work focus on the interior, with new panelling being fitted throughout. By 2013, the ceilings had been repaired and repainted. In 2014, the flooring was replaced throughout the passenger sections of the vehicle, and the restoration of the guards van was fully completed. In July, it was extracted for work on the mechanics to be undertaken. By 2016, a start had been made on bodywork repairs to the vehicle, which was particularly bad around the guards van. Work on the interior continued and with the completion of the restoration of partner 51384 in 2017, restoration focus could be spent solely on 51342. However the corrosion was found to be worse than originally hoped, and proved to be a major setback for the modest sized restoration team. 51342 spent the next few years in and out of the shed for work to continue where possible amongst other priorities. It is not known at present whether the restoration has stalled and 51342 in storage, or if the bodywork repairs are still in progress. |
|||
Future Plans |
|||
 |
51342 in the shed at North Weald, 18/11/20. Katie Pickersgill |
 |
51342 inside the shed at North Weald undergoing repairs to its bodysides and cab, 6/10/18. Chris Moxon |
 |
51342 extracted for work on the mechanics to be undertaken, 29/7/14. Epping & Ongar Railway |
 |
51342 receiving interior work, 26/4/14. Andy Crawley |
 |
The first areas of corrosion are removed from the No2 side of 51342, 22/1/14. Colin Dye |
 |
51342 undergoing restoration work, 3/7/11. David Beardmore |
 |
51342 undergoing restoration work, 3/7/11. David Beardmore |
 |
51342 & 51384 at Ongar, 17/3/08. David McGuire |
 |
51342/51384 waiting to depart Ongar, 1/7/07. Nick Blyth |
 |
51342 At North Weald on the Epping Ongar Railway, during its days when it was painted in EOR house colours. David Jacobs |
 |
51342 & 51384 in service at Ongar, 2/1/05. Michael Wadman |
Interior
 |
51342's interior appears to have taken backward steps: this being due to severe corrosion being found within the vehicle after the interior had been restored. It is seen here during a tour of the restoration work, damage to the interior will have to be reversed of course once bodywork is completed, 6/10/18. Chris Moxon |
 |
New flooring installed, 23/4/14. Epping Ongar Railway |
 |
The lino removed, 25/3/14. Epping Ongar Railway |
 |
Fully restored guards van, 2/14. Epping Ongar Railway |
 |
View of the smaller saloon under restoration, 1/14. Epping Ongar Railway |
 |
Fully refurbished driver's seat ready for fitting, 10/13. Epping Ongar Railway |
 |
Replacement ceiling being installed in the guards van, 10/13. Epping Ongar Railway |
 |
View of the main saloon under restoration, 7/13. Epping Ongar Railway |
 |
Ceiling painting, 7/13. Epping Ongar Railway |
 |
Replacement plywood interior panels are installed, 6/11. Epping Ongar Railway |