51353 Class 117 Driving Motor Brake Second
Home Railway |
Location History |
Private Site: Winfrith Feb 04-Mar 07 |
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Current Location |
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Midland Railway Butterley Mar 07-Jan 12 |
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Current Status |
Static Display |
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Wensleydale Railway Jan 12-Present |
Current Livery |
Grey |
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TRA Designation |
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Partner Vehicle(s) |
None |
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Owner |
Community Group |
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Website |
None |
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Record Last Updated |
16 September 2023 |
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Preservation Modifications |
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Preservation Information The set was purchased by Dorset County Council who wished to obtain three 3-car Class 117 sets for a proposed community rail link between Swanage and Wareham. Centre car 59521 joined the set and in 2004 the 3-car unit was moved to a private site in Dorset where all nine of the Class 117 vehicles were being stored in readiness for the Swanage Railway's Wareham extension to bear fruit. However in 2007 the site had to be cleared with one set relocating to the Weardale Railway and the other two to the Midland Railway Butterley, all for storage. 51353,59521 & 51395 were one of the sets moved to the latter location in March 2007. 51353 remained in store, with no work being undertaken on the vehicle. After many years out of use, the vehicle had deteriorated in condition. By 2011 it was understood that Dorset County Council would no longer be proceeding with the plan to operate the nine Class 117 vehicles, and 51353 was sold to two private individuals who in turn advertised the vehicle for sale publically. Being in the best condition of the five surplus vehicles (many of which were stripped for spare parts), 51353 found a new home on the Wensleydale Railway in 2012. However by 2014 the group had decided not to restore the vehicle and placed it up for sale. The following year it found a buyer in the form of a local community group who were to keep 51353 on the Wensleydale Railway for their activities. By 2016 the vehicle had been repainted into primer and works to convert it were ongoing. The following year, it was completed and in static use as a community hub. |
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Future Plans |
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51353 in its normal position when not in use at Leeming Bar, 14/6/23. Jason Smith |
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51353 stabled at Leeming Bar, 28/9/21. Aaron Browning |
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A rear end view of 51353 in use at Leeming Bar as a "community hub", 6/10/19. Chris Moxon |
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51353 in use at Leeming Bar as a "community hub", 6/10/19. Chris Moxon |
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51353 on static duties at Leeming Bar, 26/12/18. Chris Nesbitt |
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51353 undergoing conversion into a community hub at Leeming Bar, 8/1/17. Alex Lomax |
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51353 stored in the headshunt at Leeming Bar awaiting restoration. Spares donor Class 101 51247 can also be seen on the left, 19/7/12. Barry Wetherell |
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51353 stored in the headshunt at Leeming Bar awaiting restoration, 3/7/12. Barry Wetherell |
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51353 in the yard at Leeming Bar shortly after arrival at the Wensleydale Railway, 14/2/12. Barry Wetherell |
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51353 is loaded for the trip east to the vehicle's new home the Wensleydale Railway, 10/1/12. Barry Wetherell |
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51353 stored at Swanwick Junction being inspected for potential purchase by Wensleydale Railway volunteers, 15/12/11. Barry Wetherell |
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51353 stored at Swanwick Junction being inspected for potential purchase by Wensleydale Railway volunteers, 15/12/11. Barry Wetherell |
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A rather poor quality corridor view of 51353 stored at Swanwick Junction on display during the Midland Railway Butterley's DMU Gala, 11/9/11. Chris Moxon |
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51353 stored at Swanwick Junction, 27/9/08. Daniel Adkins |
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51353 stored at Swanwick Junction on display during the Midland Railway Butterley's DMU Gala, 29/3/08. Chris Moxon |