51562 Class 108 Driving Motor Composite Lavatory
Home Railway |
Location History |
National Railway Museum (York) Jul 92-Apr 25 |
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Current Location |
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Current Status |
Under Overhaul |
Visited Railways |
East Lancashire Railway Jan 11-Jul 14 |
Current Livery |
BR Blue (Full Yellow End) |
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East Kent Railway Jul 14-May 17 |
TRA Designation |
Allelys Heavy Haulage (storage) May 17-Aug 17 |
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Partner Vehicle(s) |
West Coast Carnforth (tyre turning) Apr 25-May 25 |
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Owner |
Barrow Hill Roundhouse May 25-Present |
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Website |
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Record Last Updated |
17 May 2025 |
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Preservation Modifications |
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Preservation Information Preserved with partner 51922, the set arrived at the NRM under its own power, and was painted into green/blue (51562 being blue) to represent the livery variation that DMUs spend much of their working lives in. 51562 made its passenger debut in 1999 at a Thomas event. However, the NRM is primarily a museum, with only a very short demonstration line at its base in York. 51562 was therefore for many years operational but rarely run, settling into long periods of static display. After a period of 10 years (2001-2011) without any use, 51562 & 51922 were loaned to the East Lancs Railway, where it was recognised that the vehicle could play more useful role. A rapid mechanical restoration followed and the set operated for the first time in many years at their 2011 DMU Day in March. Immediately after the event, 51562 was withdrawn for further mechanical work, however the vehicle was back in traffic for the Thomas event in August. Between August 2011 and July 2014, 51562 operated infrequently with 51922, most commonly being seen in use during special events. Minor restoration work and maintenance was undertaken on a rolling basis ensuring the vehicle remained in traffic. The resident DMU group decided that they were unable to maintain 51562 long term so it was offered to other railways seeking to expand their fleets. The East Kent Railway wanted a second set to supplement their Class 101, and 51562 was moved in July 2014. 51562 & 51922entered service immediately and operated most of the passenger services on the line for almost three years. During 2017 the railway took a new direction away from First Generation DMU's and disbanded its fleet. 51562 was therefore promptly returned to its owners at the National Railway Museum. The vehicle spent a period in storage at a haulage yard before arriving at York during the summer. 51562 was stored for a time outside the museum buildings, but was later moved undercover inside the diesel tent on static display. In August 2020 51562/51922 were moved by rail (a rare occurrence for a first generation DMU) via Holgate sidings at York from the museum's south yard round to the "Great Hall" side of the complex. NRM officials at that time suggested that the move was to better place the vehicles for restoration work to be undertaken, but this did not occur with the set instead stored for five years outside, gaining an increasingly poor external appearance. In 2025, 51562 was moved inside the maintenance bay to be prepared for a fresh loan agreement. Along with 51922, the set was towed by rail to Barrow Hill Roundhouse via West Coast Railways' Carnforth depot for tyre turning. 51562 remains on loan to Barrow Hill Roundhouse, where work is reportedly proceeding to ready the vehicle for use again. |
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Future Plans |
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M51562 back in its old haunt: the NRM's diesel tent, 7/9/19. Jamie Stallwood |
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M51562, shortly after arrival at the National Railway Museum in York, 20/7/17. Alex Fowles |
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M51562 shortly after arrival at the East Kent Railway, 27/7/14. East Kent Railway |
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M51562 shortly after arrival at the East Kent Railway, 26/7/14. East Kent Railway |
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M51562 & M51922 stand at Rawtenstall with the 11:05 Rawtenstall-Heywood during the DMU Day, 16/3/13.Chris Moxon |
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M51562/M51922 stand at Bury Bolton Street (Platform 3) with the 10:15 Rawtenstall-Heywood during the annual DMU Day, 17/3/12. Chris Moxon |
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M51562/M51922 stand at Ramsbottom with the 11:30 Heywood-Rawtenstall during the annual DMU Day, 17/3/12. Chris Moxon |
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M51562 stands alongside the town's industrial heritage at Ramsbottom with the 11:30 Heywood-Rawtenstall during the annual DMU Day, 17/3/12. Chris Moxon |
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Corridor end view of M51562 at Ramsbottom working the 11:30 Heywood-Rawtenstall during the annual DMU Day, 17/3/12. Chris Moxon |
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M51562/M51922 make a very rare passenger movement into the bay platform at Rawtenstall for a training exercise during the annual DMU Day. The set is waiting to depart with the 12:45 Rawtenstall-Heywood, 17/3/12. Chris Moxon |
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Departing Bury on its first public passenger trip for 10 years, at the East Lancs Railway's 2011 DMU Theme Day, 19/3/11. Chris Moxon |
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Running through Heap Bridge Quarry on its first public passenger trip for 10 years, at the East Lancs Railway's 2011 DMU Theme Day, 19/3/11. Chris Moxon |
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51562 stands at Bury Bolton Street on its first public passenger day for 10 years, at the East Lancs Railway's 2011 DMU Theme Day. It has just completed its first round trip on the ELR, 19/3/11. Chris Moxon |
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Rear view at Bury Bolton Street on its first public passenger day for 10 years, at the East Lancs Railway's 2011 DMU Theme Day. It has just completed its first round trip on the ELR, 19/3/11. |
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Waiting at Heywood on its first public passenger day for 10 years, at the East Lancs Railway's 2011 DMU Theme Day, 19/3/11. Chris Moxon |
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Waiting at Rawtenstall on its first public passenger day for 10 years, at the East Lancs Railway's 2011 DMU Theme Day, 19/3/11. Chris Moxon |
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51562, shortly before its escape from static display at the National Railway museum, 4/11/10. Martin Clark |
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M51562 stands outside at York, 4/5/09. John Carter |
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On static display in the National Railway Museum's diesel tent, 30/5/07. Chris Moxon |
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M51562 in the diesel tent, 9/1/06. Roger Marks |
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On static display in the National Railway Museum's diesel tent, 12/11/05. Simon Edwards |
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51562 in the tent. Daniel Read |
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51562 at the National Railway Museum's running day, shortly after a repaint, 6/5/00. Paul Ellis |
Interior
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The first class section, 27/7/14. East Kent Railway |
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M51562's middle saloon during the annual DMU Day. The vehicle was never refurbished, so retains its tungsten lighting and original green Formica panels, 17/3/12. Chris Moxon |