51354 Class 117 Driving Motor Brake Second

Home Railway	Nomadic	Location History	Private Site: Llangennech Jul 02-Oct 02
Current Location	West Somerset Railway		Private Site: Cardiff Cathays Oct 02-Dec 05
Current Status	Under Repair		Private Site: Llangennech Dec 05-Aug 08
Current Livery	BR Green (Speed Whiskers)		Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway Aug 08-Apr 13
TRA Designation	4		Peak Rail Apr 13-Jan 18
Partner Vehicle(s)	None		Private Site: Wishaw Jan 18-Apr 19
Owner	Mike Thompson		Private Site: Redditch Apr 19-Nov 19
Website	None		West Somerset Railway Nov 19-Present
Record Last Updated	1 April 2024
Preservation Modifications None
Preservation Information 51354 was preserved by the Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway but spent the first five years of its preservation life moving around several storage locations. By 2007, 51354 had relocated to its main home the Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway at Cynheidre. 51354 remained in storage undercover inside the LMMR's sizable shed and received some limited restoration work. The engines were started on several occations. In February 2013 51354 was put up for sale as the railway wanted to create space on site and to concentrate on the restoration of fellow residents 52029 & 55019. After purchase two months later the vehicle was relocated to Peak Rail. During 2014 the restoration of 51354 was started on a contract basis by newly formed Grinsty Rail. By summer 2015 the vehicle had been repainted into BR green. The vehicle was moved on in January 2018 and for the second time in its life skipped relatively frequently between multiple storage sites, before arriving at the West Somerset Railway in November 2019. It was thought that it would enter passenger service with the line's existing fleet of Class 115 vehicles, however the increasingly unlucky 51354 never appeared to enter any form of service. Years followed and 51354 moved itself around yards and even undertook at least one test run with the line's Class 115, however it would always return to base for further repairs. 51354 is thought to be in reasonable condition, however it has yet to operate any services in preservation.
Future Plans Not known.

	W51354 receiving repairs at Minehead. Remarkably after four years the vehicle had still not operated any passenger services, 30/3/24. Chris Walker

	W51354 stored at Minehead. It does not appear to have entered traffic yet, 27/7/21. Michael Hughes

	W51354 in the maintenance facility at Bishops Lydeard, 14/1/21. Robin Fisher

	51354 stored in a haulage yard at Wishaw, having recently arrived from Peak Rail, 7/3/18. Tony Morris

	51354 part way through a repaint into green, 19/4/15. Chris Moxon

	51354 part way through a repaint into green, 19/4/15. Brian Cuttell

	51354, little unchanged from 10 years ago, in store at Rowsley South, 21/9/13. Nigel Gould

Interior

	A cab view of 51354 during restoration work, 19/4/15. Chris Moxon

	A cab view of 51354 during restoration work, 19/4/15. Chris Moxon

	51354's main passenger saloon during restoration work, 19/4/15. Chris Moxon

	51354's rear passenger saloon during restoration work, 19/4/15. Chris Moxon

	51354's guards van during restoration work, 19/4/15. Chris Moxon