51505 Class 101 Driving Motor Composite Lavatory
Home Railway |
Location History |
East Anglian Railway Museum Oct 03-Jun 07 |
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Current Location |
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Ecclesbourne Valley Railway Jun 07-Jun 25 |
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Current Status |
Operational |
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North Norfolk Railway Jun 25-Present |
Current Livery |
BR Blue (Full Yellow End) |
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TRA Designation |
Visited Railways |
Bluebell Railway Dec 13-Mar 14 |
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Partner Vehicle(s) |
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Owner |
Diesel Unit Preservation Associates Limited |
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Website |
None |
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Record Last Updated |
12 May 2026 |
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Preservation Modifications |
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Preservation Information At the Ecclesbourne Valley it formed part of 6 car reopening train to Idridgehay and was used regularly since, paired with 101 DMBS 51188. TSL 59303 was added to the formation to form a 3-car set in 2011. It then became the EVR's primary operating set. In June 2011, the vehicle was withdrawn from traffic to receive a comprehensive interior refurbishment. By July, the rotten ceiling had been stripped and the trim painted into original light green. During August the vestibule doors had the orange Formica removed and were reinstalled with wood grain panels, the orange door surrounds returning to the light green colour scheme. New ceiling panels were also fitted to the vehiclethat month, and were painted in September. By October, the original tungsten lighting had been reinstalled/tested. All of the above was for the second class saloons only, so November was spent repeating the same work for the front (first class) saloon. During the final month of the year, attention turned to the cab, which was repainted into maroon. The desk also received a coat of black. The interior refurbishment continued into 2012. January saw the first class saloon carpeted and correct seats reinstalled, as the saloon had received second class seating during a previous refurbishment before preservation. During February, the drivers and second class passenger seats were stripped of their cushions which were sent away for reupholstering. Whilst away, the opportunity of the extra access was taken and the heater ducting cleaned. In April, with the "new" seats starting to return, the drivers seat was refitted, followed by the two main second class saloons. By May, the vehicle's interior refurbishment was declared complete and the vehicle returned to traffic. The exterior was also treated to a revarnish and some underframe components were repainted. On its return to service, 51505 was running with a variety of different partners as maintenance requirements dictated, but was most commonly in use with Class 119 51073. In early 2014, 51505 visited the Bluebell Railway for several months to operate services on a severed section of their line which had been closed for winter maintenance. The vehicle made history by operating the Bluebell's very first DMU service on January 19th of that year. 51505 was returned to the EVR in the Spring. During August a fuel pump was refurbished and September saw the driver's air/axle panel replaced. The completion of Class 101 50253's restoration in September 2015 allowed the EVR to form fixed operating sets once again, with 51505 being paired with 51188. In late 2017 51505 had to be withdrawn from service for mechanical repairs as it was listing to one side. This ended up being a quick fix, but the resources to repair it were not available for some time, so it was 2019 before 51505 returned to traffic. By then, regular partner 51188 had moved out on loan to another railway, so it was paired with Class 119 W51073 again, although it was also to be found running with Class 122 55006 for the railcar gala! The pair ran for the 2019 season before 51073 was withdrawn from traffic in early 2020, leaving 51505 as a spare vehicle once again, to be used as required. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, the railway reduced its railcar focus and 51505 was relegated to being used as a push/pull hauled vehicle up the Ravenstor incline. For the 2022 season, the vehicle received an external refresh and regained its old Regional Railways era set number, 101682, on the cab front. Sadly at some point in 2022/23 the vehicle received wheel flats pushing it out of traffic altogether. The EVR did not have the resources or DMU running days available to justify the vehicle's repair, so it was placed into storage. During its period out of service a water leak led to ceiling damage and the effects of inactivity took a hold on the exterior, interior and mechanics. Summer 2025 saw 51505 relocated on a ten year residency at the North Norfolk Railway, who had been looking for a Class 101 DMCL vehicle for some time to provide some maintenance backup to its Power/Trailer fleet, which had proven vulnerable to mechanical failures. After arrival, the remainder of the summer was spent working through 51505's mechanics undertaking examination and repair work to bring the vehicle back into an operational state. In the autumn, the vehicle was moved inside the Carriage & Wagon shed for exterior repairs, with the resealing of the roof being critical to prevent any further water ingress which had been attacking the interior since withdrawal at Wirksworth. The cab front and cab doors were also repainted along with a bodyside revarnish. Mechanical repairs were completed after a wheelset swap was undertaken to remove the axle which had suffered bad flats. In October 2025, 51505 returned to traffic paired with its former EVR partner DMBS 51188. 51505 was outshopped in its 1981 condition, in standard rail blue with no high intensity headlight and western region number prefix. It also saw a return of its Bristol set number (B823), believed to be the first time in preservation that a Bristol set had been recreated. As the vehicle launched right at the end of the DMU running season, it only operated for a single day before the closed season set in. 51505 currently operates as part of a pool of three vehicles that pair up with Class 101 powercars 51188 or 51192 on a rotational basis. |
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Future Plans Longer term, once the restoration of Class 104 DMBS 50479 is completed, it is expected that 51505 can be reunited with its Ecclesbourne Valley partner of many years, DMBS 51188, in a regular 2-car set. |
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W51505, split off from partner, in the yard at Weybourne during shunting operations, 30/4/26. Chris Moxon |
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W51505/M51192 pass Sheringham golf course with the empty coaching stock to start the day's services, during half term week, 14/2/26. Andrew Rothe |
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W51505 (with M51188) at Sheringham after working its first public round trip on the North Norfolk. Its debut went down very well with the blue livery proving popular amidst a usually green liveried landscape! This view shows the restored and repainted roof well, one of the many tasks completed over the previous three months, 19/10/25. Chris Moxon |
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W51505 stands at Holt during its first test run on the North Norfolk, paired with former partner M51188, 15/10/25. Chris Moxon |
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W51505 on jacks at Weybourne for a wheelset swap, probably the first time in preservation that the vehicle had been lifted, 10/10/25. Chris Moxon |
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51505 inside the Carriage & Wagon works at Weybourne for exterior repairs and a partial repaint, 29/9/25.Chris Moxon |
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51505 arriving into Sheringham off the road transporter, 30/6/25. Chris Moxon |
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51505 standing on the newly constructed inspection pit at Wirksworth, where an assessment of the vehicle's current condition was being made, 9/2/25. Chris Moxon |
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The corridor end of 51505 seen on the newly constructed inspection pit at Wirksworth, where an assessment of the vehicle's current condition was being made, 9/2/25. Chris Moxon |
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51505 stored in the sidings at Wirksworth suffering from a water damaged interior and wheel flats, 11/4/24. Chris Moxon |
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Recently refreshed "101682" (51505) in the bay platform at Wirksworth preparing for another trip pushed up the hill to Ravenstor, 5/8/22. Jason Smith |
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E51505 in use as hauled stock at Idridgehay, 7/8/21. David Bellamy |
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E51505 in use as hauled stock at Duffield, 7/8/21. David Bellamy |
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E51505 shunting at Duffield to form the 13:12 Duffield-Wirksworth. It was working in a 2-car set with Class 119 W51073 at the time, and visiting Class 121 55034 can also be seen on the right, 15/3/20. Chris Moxon |
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E51505/W55006 call at Shottle with the 10:08 Wirksworth-Duffield during the railcar gala, 16/3/19. Chris Moxon |
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E51505 out of use at Wirksworth, unable to play at that year's railcar gala. It was awaiting repairs to correct a ridge height issue, 19/5/18. Chris Moxon |
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E51505 brings up the rear of a 4-car formation at Idridgehay during the Railcar Association convention weekend, 26/9/15. Chris Moxon |
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E51505/E50599 stabled on the Bluebell Railway during their visit, 6/1/14. Ecclesbourne Valley Railway DMU Group |
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E51505 being loaded to visit the Bluebell Railway, 31/12/13. Ecclesbourne Valley Railway DMU Group |
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E51505/M51188 pass Windley with the 17:10 Duffield-Wirksworth service, 1/4/13. Chris Moxon |
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E51505/M51188 between Idridgehay and Wirksworth with the 17:10 Duffield-Wirksworth service, 1/4/13. Chris Moxon |
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E51505 at Wirksworth after being revarnished, 1/6/12. Leigh Gration |
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E51505 on its relauch into traffic at Wirksworth, 31/5/12. Leigh Gration |
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Freshly painted underframe components, 26/5/12. Leigh Gration |
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The two EVR Class 101 DMCL's together at Wirksworth: E51505 (right) and E50170 (left), 3/3/12. Leigh Gration |
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E51505 in service on the Wirksworth-Ravenstor branch just before withdrawal from traffic for an interior refurbishment. The vehicle had latterly been used as a control trailer for steam trips up the1-in-27 incline, 14/5/11. David Beardmore |
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Arriving into Wirksworth on a service train, paired with W51360, 12/5/10. Ecclesbourne Valley Railway |
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E51505 & M51188 pausing at Idridgehay during the Railcar Convention Weekend, 3/10/09. Chris Moxon |
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E51505 & M51188 departing Idridgehay on a Railcar Convention driver experience run, 2/10/09. Chris Moxon |
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E51505 & M51188 pausing for lunch at Wirksworth on a Railcar Convention driver experience run, 2/10/09. Chris Moxon |
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A film contract required E51505/M51188 to have extra vinyls attached to the BR Blue paint scheme, 2/10/09. Chris Moxon |
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E51505 at Duffield with 51188, 2/10/09. Chris Moxon |
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E51505/M51188 arrive into Wirksworth, 4/5/08. Brian Battersby |
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E51505 after arrival at Wirksworth from the East Anglian Railway Museum, 12/6/07. Richard Buckby |
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E51505 after arrival at Wirksworth from the East Anglian Railway Museum, 12/6/07. Richard Buckby |
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E51505 after arrival at Wirksworth from the East Anglian Railway Museum, 12/6/07. Richard Buckby |
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E51505 after arrival at Wirksworth from the East Anglian Railway Museum, 12/6/07. Richard Buckby |
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51505 in store at Chappel, 30/8/06. Andy Cole |
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51505 at the East Anglian Railway Museum, 6/1/05. Darren Johnson |
Interior
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E51505's first class interior whilst in use as hauled stock, 7/8/21. David Bellamy |
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E51505's second class interior whilst in use as hauled stock, 7/8/21. David Bellamy |
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The first class saloon on completion of te 12 month interior overhaul, 22/4/12. Leigh Gration |
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The middle saloon on completion of te 12 month interior overhaul, 22/4/12. Leigh Gration |
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The rear saloon on completion of te 12 month interior overhaul, 22/4/12. Leigh Gration |
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Reupholstered seating is now returning from the workshops. Here, three seaters are being refitted to the middle saloon, 13/4/12. Leigh Gration |
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Freshly reupholstered driver's seat now refitted to the vehicle, 13/4/12. Leigh Gration |
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First class seating has been returned to the vehicle, after it was removed during a BR refurbishment. The seats currently carry an odd mix of moquette, but these are to be removed and reupholstered in due course, 19/1/12. Leigh Gration |
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The first milestone of 2012 was the fitting of the first class saloon carpet, 13/1/12. Leigh Gration |
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View of the secondman's side in the cab following the desk's black respray, 16/12/11. Leigh Gration |
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View of the driver's controls in the cab following the desk's black respray, 16/12/11. Leigh Gration |
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View of the cab following a repaint into maroon, 2/12/11. Leigh Gration |
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The completed first class saloon ceiling. Lights have been installed, along wioth the remaining trim and luggage racks, 26/11/11. Leigh Gration |
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The first class saloon celing now installed and painted, joining the refurbished pelmet above the doorway, which has been "de-oranged", 19/11/11. Leigh Gration |
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Progress in the first class saloon: the re-discovered Formica has been returned to the area above the windows, and the new celing panels are being installed. Also note the new trim which is being installed to join all th separate elements of the celing panelling, 12/11/11. Leigh Gration |
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The non-authentic second class seating, insalled in the first class saloon after a refurbishment in the early 1990's has now been removed, and the opportunity taken to give the saloon a deep clean, 6/11/11. Leigh Gration |
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A comparative study showing some Formica panels which had been painted over, seen before and after restoration work, 6/11/11. Leigh Gration |
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Original tungsten lighting is now installed throughout the middle and rear saloons, 9/10/11. Leigh Gration |
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The first tungsten light lit in the vehicle since it was stripped out for refurbishment by British Rail, 25/9/11. Leigh Gration |
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With the new celings now installed in the middle and rear saloons, the front saloon (ex first class) has now been stripped of the old tungsten lighting and celing panels, 24/9/11. Leigh Gration |
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White gloss starting to appear on the new ceilings 4/9/11. Leigh Gration |
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The tungsten lighting rings and new trim have been fitted to the new ceiling panels 3/9/11. Leigh Gration |
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A refreshed vestibule area, with just a clear varnish required on the doors, 19/8/11. Leigh Gration |
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The last of the new ceiling panels are now installed, 7/8/11. Leigh Gration |
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More new ceiling panels are installed, 7/8/11. Leigh Gration |
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The first of the new ceiling panels are installed, 6/8/11. Leigh Gration |
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Refurbished doors starting to go together, 31/7/11. Leigh Gration |
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E51505's rear saloon, showing the luggage rack backs in their new green colour scheme. The trim strips is also to be treated, 17/7/11. Leigh Gration |
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E51505's rear saloon radually going green. The area above the luggage racks, round the toilet and around the doors has been done. Note the lighting wiring has also been simplified ready for the tungstens to be installed, 9/7/11. Leigh Gration |
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The middle saloon celing, removed for replacement panels, 19/6/11. Leigh Gration |
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The celing of the rear saloon, the strip lighting now removed ready for ceiling removal, 18/6/11. Leigh Gration |
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The celing of the middle saloon, due for refurbishment, the day the work started, 18/6/11. Leigh Gration |
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View of the cab (driver's side), 2/10/09. Chris Moxon |
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View of the cab (secondman's side), 2/10/09. Chris Moxon |
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View of the front saloon, which was first class but was converted to second class during BR days, 2/10/09. Chris Moxon |
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View of the middle saloon, 2/10/09. Chris Moxon |
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View of the rear saloon, 2/10/09. Chris Moxon |
