51346 Class 117 Driving Motor Brake Second (Cab Only)
Home Railway |
The Cab Yard |
Location History |
North Norfolk Railway Oct 94-Dec 03 |
Current Location |
The Cab Yard |
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Swanage Railway Dec 03-Sep 14 |
Current Status |
Static Display |
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The Cab Yard Jul 19-Present |
Current Livery |
BR Green (Speed Whiskers) |
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Owner |
Richard Benyon |
Visited Railways |
Eastleigh Works Sep 14-Jul 19 |
Website |
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Record Last Updated |
1 January 2021 |
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Preservation Modifications |
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Preservation Information From 1994-1996 the vehicle received restoration work, and it moved for the first time in February 1995 on a test run. May 1996 saw 51346 outshopped in BR Green livery. Also during that year, the redundant headcode box was opened and photo copies of numbers taped inside the box to return it to its original appearance. 51346 & 51388 made their first runs at the June 1996 diesel gala event, as a 2-car set. From 1996, 51346 operated much of the NNR's off peak diesel requireents, such as low-season work, mid season running alongside steam and high season running in the form of the first and last trains of the day. Winter 1997 saw the heaters repaired on the vehicle allowing it to provide heat during winter services, and in 1998 new batteries fitted in the spring which resolved a number of problems, exacerbated by the winter weather, essentially caused by poor batteries. In 2000 the roof was repainted but 51346 was suffering due to problems with the batteries. The set was dogged with mechanical issues and was regularly out of traffic. This, along with the realisation that long term the vehicles would require much work to the numerous doors, lead to the set being put up for sale shortly afterwards. 51346 was purchased by the Swanage Railway, who purcahsed the whole 3-car set (incluing unrestored TCL 59516) in 2003. At Swanage 51346 & 51388 entered traffic and became the railway's main DMU set, replacing Class 10851933 & 56504 which was in need of refurbishment. On 9th February 2009 51346 & 51388 became the first train to run passengers from the bay at Swanage since 1966 following the completion of resignalling work. In 2010, 51346 was removed from traffic and stored awaiting overhaul, its duties being covered by Class 108 set 51933 & 56504 which had by this time been fully overhauled. A four year period of inactivity followed whilst the vehicle awaited restoration and it sadly deteriorated badly during this period. In September 2014, 51346 was sent to Eastleigh Works for overhaul and mainline registration. However, reportedly spare parts donor 51356 was assessed and found to be in better condition than 51346, despite the former having never run in preservation. For this reason it was descided to swap the vehicles and 51346 was sadly removed from the Swanage Railway 3-car set and became the spares donor for the project. It was progressively stripped over several years as the mainline registration of the other vehicles progressed. In late 2017, 51346 was moved outdoors in a semi-stripped state and continued to be stripped of parts for 51356. It became increasingly clear that the vehicle was never to run in its own right again. Once its role as a spares donor had been completed, the remains of the vehicle were cut up at Eastleigh by on site contractor Raxstar in June 2019. Interestingly, the front section containing the cab and first passenger window was saved from scrap and purchased for further display at "The Cab Yard" in Bridgend, South Wales. The cab was moved in July 2019 and has been on display since. |
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Future Plans |
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W51346 on display adjacent to a spare Class 25 cab which used to reside at the North Norfolk Railway with W51346! 2/7/19. Richard Benyon |
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W51346 arriving at "The Cab Yard" for display, 2/7/19. Richard Benyon |
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W51346 after being scrapped, this section being the only section to survive for further preservation, 20/6/19. Raxstar |
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W51346 after being scrapped, this section being the only section to survive for further preservation, 20/6/19. Raxstar |
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W51346, stripped of spare parts for 51356 & 51388, awaiting scrapping at Eastleigh Works, 7/3/18. Carl Watson |
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W51346, stripped of spare parts for 51356 & 51388, awaiting scrapping at Eastleigh Works, 21/2/18. Carl Watson |
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W51346 in a very poor way having almost been fully stripped of spare parts at Eastleigh Works, 26/12/17. Andrew Jackson |
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W51346 undergoing overhaul at Eastleigh Works. It is not known when exactly the descision was made to change the overhaul status to "spare parts donor", 1/11/17. Carl Watson |
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W51346 undergoing overhaul at Eastleigh Works. It is not known when exactly the descision was made to change the overhaul status to "spare parts donor", 11/11/16. Carl Watson |
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W51346 undercover for the first time in many years, at Eastleigh Works, 10/1/15. Carl Watson |
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W51346 at Eastleigh Works waiting to be restored to mainline condition, 18/9/14. Carl Watson |
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51346 & 51388 in store at Harmans Cross, 7/5/11. John Cordingley |
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51346 paired with Class 121 55028 working half term week trains between Harman's Cross and Corfe Castle. Usual partner 51388 was out of traffic requiring engine repairs, 27/10/09. Chris Moxon |
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51346 paired with Class 121 55028 working half term week trains between Harman's Cross and Corfe Castle. Usual partner 51388 was out of traffic requiring engine repairs, 27/10/09. Chris Moxon |
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51346 paired with Class 121 55028 working half term week trains crossing the viaduct at Corfe Castle. Usual partner 51388 was out of traffic requiring engine repairs, 27/10/09. Chris Moxon |
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51346 paired with Class 121 55028 arriving into Corfe Castle working half term week trains. Usual partner 51388 was out of traffic requiring engine repairs, 27/10/09. Chris Moxon |
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51346 paired with Class 121 55028 at night at Norden. Usual partner 51388 was out of traffic requiring engine repairs, 27/10/09. Chris Moxon |
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51346 at Weybourne on the North Norfolk Railway, February 2002 . Stuart Mackay |
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A shiny W51346/W51388 at Weybourne, 20/7/96. Chris Boon |
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51346/51388 depart Weybourne on a Holt-Sheringham service, 7/7/96. ee20213 |