51503 Class 101 Driving Motor Composite Lavatory
Home Railway |
Location History |
Mid Norfolk Railway May 97-Aug 98 |
|
Current Location |
|
Swindon & Cricklade Railway Aug 98-Jun 02 |
|
Current Status |
Stored |
|
Mid Norfolk Railway Jun 02-Present |
Current Livery |
BR Blue & Grey |
|
|
TRA Designation |
|||
Partner Vehicle(s) |
|
|
|
Owner |
Matthew Smith Class 101 Fund |
|
|
Website |
|||
Record Last Updated |
13 January 2024 |
||
Preservation Modifications |
|||
Preservation Information The power twin set was later joined by 59117 becoming the first Class 101 3-car set in preservation. The trailer cars remained rare and even with over 40 Class 101 vehicles now in preservation, there are only three 3-car sets. In 2002 the vehicle was repainted into Blue & Grey livery. Tragically in 2002, Matthew Smith lost his battle with cancer and 51503 was transferred to the “Matthew Smith Class 101 Fund”. The set was moved to the Mid Norfolk Railway in 2002 where it saw an extraordinary amount of use for the rest of the decade, at times working 90% of the railways services. After the introduction into traffic of the MNR's own Class 101 set in 2008/2009, the workload was reduced on 51503 and the vehicle was withdrawn for some much needed maintenance. The vehicle was kept operational during the repairs until mid 2011 when the requirement to undertake heavier work resulted in a withdrawal from service. In 2012, the East Anglin Railcar Group was formed from the working group for 51503 and others from the MNR. One of the group's priorities was to return 51503 to traffic. A defective engine and fuel tank were removed for replacement with overhauled examples and the cab/first class saloon stripped out for cleaning and/or restoration. The cab front was also worked on with all defective components repaired/replaced. In October 2012, 51503 was returned to traffic, but only saw very sporadic use due to partner 51434 receiving heavy repairs. The return to traffic of 51434 in 2019 saw the set reformed properly as a 2-car once again, after the Mid Norfolk's own Class 101 51226/51499 had been withdrawn for overhaul. Since 51503/51434 was last in regular use together, the MNR had been making more and more use of steam hauled services, so the DMU service requirement was not as great as before. Nevertheless a good number of low season services were operated alongside supporting services during the summer. The Covid pandemic halted all operations in 2020 and 51503 was withdrawn from service and stored. The Mid Norfolk were slower than many other railways to reopen and despite the best efforts of members of the owning group 51503 did not return to service when operations restarted, with the recently arrived Class 142 set operating off-peak services instead. 51503 has been out of service ever since. Some limited work has been undertaken on the vehicle at selected times and it is believed to still be in mechanically sound condition, however the vehicle remains stored in the yard at Dereham. |
|||
Future Plans |
|||
 |
A somewhat forlorn looking 51503 stored in the sidings at Dereham, 2/12/23. Chris Moxon |
.jpg) |
51503/51434 pass Crownthorpe, working the 09:30 Dereham-Wymondham Abbey, 26/8/19. Chris Moxon |
.jpg) |
51503/51434 at Kimberly Park, passing the brand new stored Stadler units for Greater Anglia. The set was working the 11:50 Dereham-Wymondham Abbey, deputising for steam loco 75006 due to a lack of crew, 26/8/19. Chris Moxon |
 |
51503/51434 briefly returned to service for one weekend only, seen at Thuxton, 22/4/16. Derek Orr |
 |
51503 on static display during the Multiple Matters gala, 1/11/14. Chris Moxon |
 |
51503/59117/55009 form a 3-car set at a damp Thuxton, 20/10/12. GT47581 |
 |
51503 moves over the pit for inspection, 13/3/12. East Anglian Railcar Group |
 |
51503's fuel tank number 2 being stripped ready to have its leak repaired, 13/3/12. East Anglian Railcar Group |
 |
Possibly its last passenger use before bodywork repairs, 51503 is dragged by a Class 20 during an MNR gala weekend, 14/5/11. Andy Neil |
 |
51503 alongside 51499 at Dereham, 21/3/10. Martin Reeve |
 |
51503 waiting to depart Dereham, 2/7/08. Chris Moxon |
 |
51503 passing Garvestone, 2/7/08. Chris Moxon |
 |
51503 arriving into Kimberley Park, 2/7/08. Chris Moxon |
 |
51503 at Thuxton, 2/7/08. Chris Moxon |
 |
51503 at Wymondham, 2/7/08. Chris Moxon |
 |
51503 approaching the outskirts of Dereham, 2/7/08. Chris Moxon |
 |
51503 near Hardingham, 2/7/08. Chris Moxon |
 |
51503 near Kimberley Park, 2/7/08. Chris Moxon |
 |
51503 approaching Yaxham, 2/7/08. Chris Moxon |
 |
51503's underframe at Dereham, 2/7/08. Chris Moxon |
 |
51503 at Wymondham, 2/8/07. Daniel Adkins |
 |
51503 at Dereham, 2/8/07. Daniel Adkins |
 |
51503 at Dereham, 2/8/07. Daniel Adkins |
 |
51503, 59117 & 51434 in service at Dereham, 15/7/06. Martin Reeve |
 |
51503/59117/51434 stabled at Dereham, 12/3/05. Stephen Hughes |
 |
51503, 59117 & 51434 at Dereham, 21/3/04. David Beardmore |
 |
The vehicle looks in a lot better condition after a repaint! 20/6/03. Stuart Mackay |
 |
The vehicle looks in a lot better condition after a repaint! 20/6/03. Stuart Mackay |
 |
51503 & 51434 freshly repainted at Dereham. Martin Reeve |
 |
51503 & 51434 at Dereham. Martin Reeve |
 |
51503 on the Swindon & Cricklade Railway, 1/12/01. Stuart Mackay |
 |
An undated view of 51503 at the Swindon & Cricklade. Keith Mitchell |
Interior
 |
51503's cab with components and panels stripped out for refurbishment, 17/6/12. Chris Moxon |
 |
51503's First Class saloon with seats stripped out for refurbishment, 17/6/12. Chris Moxon |
 |
51503's rear saloon, 17/6/12. Chris Moxon |
 |
View of the cab controls, 2/7/08. Chris Moxon |
 |
The front (first class) saloon, 2/7/08. Chris Moxon |
 |
The middle saloon, note the 2+2 seating in what would have been a 2+3 saloon, 2/7/08. Chris Moxon |
 |
The rear saloon, note the 2+2 seating in what would have been a 2+3 saloon, 2/7/08. Chris Moxon |