51352 Class 117 Driving Motor Brake Second

Home Railway

South Devon Railway

Location History

West Somerset Railway Mar 01-Jan 07

Current Location

South Devon Railway

 

Private Site: MOD Long Marston Jan 07-Nov 20

Current Status

Under Restoration

 

South Devon Railway Nov 20-Present

Current Livery

Yellow

 

 

TRA Designation

4

   

Partner Vehicle(s)

51376

 

 

Owner

Alistair Parsons

 

 

Website

None

   

Record Last Updated

16 September 2023

   

Preservation Modifications
The vehicle received modified as required for a number of MOD and motorail exercises.

Preservation Information
51352 was latterly part of Class 117 set 117311, and was withdrawn after final mainline use in Scotland. After a period in storage at Shoeburyness, it was purchased by the Territorial Army along with partner 51376. They were joined by centre car 59505 from set 117301 and moved to the West Somerset Railway where they were intended to provide overhaul and maintenance experience for the 275 Railway Squadron.

Whilst at the West Somerset Railway 51352 was returned to passenger carrying condition, and repainted into green livery. It then shared passenger services with the operating Class 115 set, with partner 51376. The Territorial Army’s own centre car however was used in loco hauled services, with 51352 operating with WSR owned 59493 instead.

In 2007 the set was re-formed into 51352,59505 & 51376 and relocated to the MOD’s site at Long Marston.

Whilst at Long Marston 51352 provided use as a training vehicle for 275 Railway Squadron. It was later sold to Motorail and received some minor modifications such as what appears to be visual monitoring equipment fo testing of railway related equipment on their terst track. Understandably, the details of some of the modifications were confidential.

51352 saw limited public passenger use on a handful of occasions, being used to transport visitors around the site during annual Long Marston charity open days.

In 2010, the vehicle was repainted in primer, and was later livered in a non-standard yellow colour.

The mid 2010's saw 51352 no longer being maintained in an operational condition. Centre car 59505 was later sold off leaving 51352/51376 in storage at Long Marston.

In 2020 things moved on and 51352/51376 were sold privately to an individual who moved them to the South Devon Railway for a return to service.

Restoration has been steady with the progress slotting in with other committments. There have been several bursts of bodywork and door work with the aim being to head towards exterior completion.

Future Plans
Future plans for 51352 are to return it to passenger service with 51352. The pair will then strengthen single unit 55000 at busier times.

 

51352 undergoing restoration at Buckfastleigh, 31/8/23. Nigel Benning

   

51352, shunted back with 51376 (not visible in the photo) in the storage sidings at Long Marston. The photo was taken on a relatively rare opportunity for public access, during an event, 23/6/19. Aaron Browning

   

51352, now separated from its partner in the storage sidings at Long Marston. The photo was taken on a relatively rare opportunity for public access, during an event, 20/6/18. Aaron Browning

   

51352 in service during an open day at Long Marston, 17/9/11. Roger Marks

   

Freshly painted 51352 at Long Marston, 18/9/10. Nigel Gould

   

51352, 59505 & 51376 in operation running passenger rides during a Long Marston open day, 7/6/08. Chris Moxon

   

51352, 59505 & 51376 in operation running passenger rides during a Long Marston open day, 7/6/08. Chris Moxon

   

51352, 59505 & 51376 in operation running passenger rides during a Long Marston open day, 7/6/08. Chris Moxon

   

51352, 59505 & 51376 in operation running passenger rides during a Long Marston open day, 7/6/08. Chris Moxon

   

51352, 59506 & 51376 in service at Blue Anchor, 24/9/05. Simon Edwards

   

51352 in service at Williton on the West Somerset Railway, 7/9/04. Graham Turner

   

51352 stabled at Minehead, 15/8/03. David McGuire

   

51352, 59506 & 51376 seen at Minehead, 8/4/03. Roger Marks

 

Interior

 

The front saloon looking towards the cab during a Long Marston open day, 7/6/08. Chris Moxon

   

The rear saloon looking towards the guards van during a Long Marston open day, 7/6/08. Chris Moxon

   

The interior, 8/4/03. Roger Marks