51591 Class 127 Driving Motor Brake Second

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Midland Railway Butterley

Location History

Midland Railway Butterley Oct 90-Present

Current Location

Midland Railway Butterley

Current Status

Operational

Current Livery

BR Green (Speed Whiskers)

TRA Designation

4

Partner Vehicle(s)

59609 & 51625

Owner

MRT Railcar Group

Website

Record Last Updated

1 December 2022

Preservation Modifications
None

Preservation Information
51591 was originally selected for the National Collection prior to completion of it's operational life on the "Bed-Pan" (Beford to London St Pancras) route.  Before withdrawal however, it was de-selected and was one of a number of vehicles converted for parcels use, with a quasi-original BR green livery and plates signifying "The First Unit, 1,250,000 miles, Bedford-St Pancras".   Finally withdrawn in 1989 it was purchased for preservation but the bid failed to secure the sister vehicle, 51610.  However BR agreed to sell 51625 to make up a 2 car set, the pair arriving at the Midland Railway Butterley in 1990.

The 2-car set was used for a number of years as a works train in connection with the MRT extension to Riddings. In the mid 1990's 51591 was removed from service and was back converted from parcels formation with fully stripped interior, roller shutter doors, plated over windows etc to original passenger condition. This was done by welding in large sections of bodysides salvaged from Class 115's being scrapped at the time. 51591 was returned to service in the early 2000's in original passenger configuration sporting BR Green with a half yellow panel. This was later changed to speed whiskers to give an as built appearance.

By the early 2000's a Class 127 3-car set had been formed in which 51591 was a part, although not all of the set was in a condition to accommodate passengers. The set's condition was gradually improved with more areas being brought back into passenger use over the years, and by 2011 the full three cars were available for passengers.

51591 spent part of 2016 out of use due to suspected wheelflats, which was later made worse after metal thieves struck the vehicle.

During 2017, mid way through repairs, it was decided to also give 51591 a repaint, this time returning the vehicle to its 1980's "celebrity" BR version of green with a full yellow end and cream whiskers over the top.

51591 was made operational once more but reliability issues meant that the 3-car Class 127 set only saw sporadic use.

Future Plans
This vehicle is owned by the MRT Railcar Group who plan to keep 51591 operating on a long term basis as part of a Class 127 3-car set with - 59609 & 51625.

M51591 stabled at Butterley, 10/7/22. Ken Jones

M51591/M59609/M51625 stabled in the disused platform at Butterley, 13/10/21. Aaron Browning

Derby suburban comparison: Class 127 M51591 is stabled at Butterley alongside stored Class 115 51849, on the left, 12/7/20. Darren JB

M51591 stabled in the loading dock at Butterley, with spares donor 51610 to the side, 17/3/19. Chris Moxon

A rare view of M51591's corridor end at Butterley, 18/11/18. Alex Fowles

M51591's repaint, now completed, being shown off in the sun alongside E50019 at Butterley, 10/6/18. Gareth Coleman

M51591 part way through receiving a repaint at Butterley, 30/9/17. Gareth Coleman

M51591/M59609/M51565 stabled at Butterley, 2/3/14. Zoe Hunter

M51591 & M51625 at Butterley after the day's services had finished, 14/7/12. Chris Moxon

M51591, M59609 & M51625 call at Butterley, 11/9/11. Chris Moxon

M51591 stabled at Butterley in the evening, 20/5/11. Andy Neil

M51591 & 56006 in service at Swanwick Junction, 28/8/10. Andy Neil

Operating "colliery branch shuttles" from Swanwick Junction's platform 4 with 59609 & 51625, 28/3/09. Chris Moxon

Rear 3/4 view at Swanwick Junction, 28/3/09. Chris Moxon

Gleaming in the sun at Swanwick Junction with 59609 & 51625, 28/3/09. Chris Moxon

Waiting to depart Swanwick Junction, ,29/3/08. Simon Edwards

Passing the yard at Butterley, ,29/3/08. Chris Moxon

51591 at Swanwick Junction, 19/5/07.Simon Edwards

Operating as a 3-car set with 59609 & 51625 at Butterley, 1/4/07 Chris Moxon

Operating as a 3-car set with 59609 & 51625 at Swanwick Junction, 1/4/07 Chris Moxon

Arriving into Butterley during a DMU gala. The vehicle was operating as a 2-car set with Class 114 56006,15/6/06. Chris Moxon

At Butterley during a DMU gala. The vehicle was operating as a 2-car set with Class 114 56006,15/6/06. Chris Moxon

At Swanwick Junction awaiting its next duty during a DMU gala. The vehicle was operating as a 2-car set with Class 114 56006,15/6/06. Chris Moxon

A shiny M51591 at Swanwick Junction, 26/10/03. David Beardmore

51591 in the yard at Butterley, 1/10/00. Stuart Mackay

51591 on a very overgrown Swanwick Colliery Branch, 18/7/92. Chris Lings

51591 on a very overgrown Swanwick Colliery Branch, 18/7/92. Chris Lings

M51591's cab, drivers side, 17/3/19. Chris Moxon

M51591's cab, secondmans side, 17/3/19. Chris Moxon

View of the front saloon, 28/3/09. Chris Moxon

View of the rear saloon, 28/3/09. Chris Moxon