51592 Class 127 Driving Motor Brake Second (Scrapped)
Last Location |
Location History |
South Devon Railway Feb 84-Feb 12 |
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Current Status |
Scrapped at Ropley, 2012 |
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Mid Hants Railway Feb 12-Dec 12 |
Last Livery |
BR Green (Speed Whiskers) |
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Partner Vehicle(s) |
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Record Last Updated |
16 April 2023 |
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Preservation Modifications |
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Preservation Information During the 1990's the set was strengthened to 3-cars with the addition of Class 115 TCL 59719 and saw use for several years on off-peak services. The set was later purchased by the Red Triangle Society, a large group of railwaymen comprising of maintenance staff (fitters, electricians, supervisors and managers) based at Cricklewood depot (a 127 depot) along with senior staff from Derby Litchurch Lane (the builders of the 127). They were looking to supplement their own 127 set with a second. By the mid 2000's the set’s deteriorating condition meant increased periods out of use, only appearing for gala events and often as loco hauled coaching stock. It is thought that 51592's last day of passenger service was in November 2008. In 2011, a change in the owner’s priorities meant 51592 was offered to the Mid Hants Railway free of charge. Following a sucessful appeal to raise the transport costs, the vehicle made the move in February 2012, as a direct replacement for the railway's Class 117 3-car set which had departed the line in 2011. Restoration of 51592 started immediately, as it was the railway's wish to have the vehicle in traffic as soon as possible. One of the two engines was made operational during 2012. However under further examination most of the doors and the vehicle's body were found to be badly corroded and would require a full rebuild before passenger service was possible. The MHR lacked the time and finance to undertake the work, so with scrap at a high price the decision was taken to scrap the vehicle instead. This proved a very controversial descision given the favourable terms that the Red Triangle Society had sold the vehicles on the understanding they would contionue to be preserved. 51592 was stripped of some useful reusable parts which were to be reused on 51618 at the Llangollen Railway and 55009 at the Mid Norfolk Railway. The process only took a matter of weeks and the vehicle was cut up on site during December 2012. The vehicle was not of too higher historical value, with six identical vehicles remaining in preservation after it was scrapped. |
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51592 at Ropley shed being rapidly stripped of useful parts before final scrapping, 12/12. John Joyce |
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51592 (right) and 51604 (left), being rapidly stripped of useful parts before final scrapping at Ropley shed, 12/12. John Joyce |
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51592's underframe now pretty well stripped, 12/12. John Joyce |
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No1 engine/trnsmission unit removed from 51592, now a spare unit for 51618, 12/12. John Joyce |
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No1 engine/trnsmission unit being removed from 51592, now a spare unit for 51618, 12/12. John Joyce |
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No1 engine/trnsmission unit ready to be removed from 51592, 12/12. John Joyce |
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51592 is towed off by the Class 50 for glass removal prior to scrapping, 12/12. John Joyce |
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M51592, split from its partners and in store, 25/4/11. rob50037 |
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M51592 stored at Totness, 29/5/10. Peter Jeffree |
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51592 powers away from the signal check at Hood Bridge and makes a lovely autumn sight, 7/11/08. Phil Seymour |
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M51592/M51604 approaching Nursery Pool Bridge with the 13:57 Buckfastleigh-Staverton. Although not known at the time, this service is believed to be the very last time both vehicles were to carry passengers, 25/8/08. David Hunt |
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M51592, M59719 & M51604 seen at Staverton, 27/4/08. Dave Moor |
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M51592, M59719 & M51604 seen at Staverton, 27/4/08. Dave Moor |
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51592, 59719 & 51604 at Buckfastleigh in use as loco hauled stock, in this case behind 20118, 26/4/08. Simon Edwards |
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A coach party on the 11:30 run to Totnes saw 51592 added to Class 122 bubble 55000, but was left in the platform for the next two trips, 17/2/08. Neil Cannon |
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51592, 26/6/06. David Beardmore |
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51592, 59719 & 51604 stabled at Buckfastleigh, 30/10/05. Alan Padley |
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51592 at Buckfastleigh, 12/8/04. Roger Marks |
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51592 at Buckfastleigh, 1/6/01. Stuart Mackay |
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51592 & 59719 stabled at Buckfastleigh in unlined green, 7/10/98. Andy Cole |
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51592 at Buckfastleigh, 16/8/92. David McGuire |
Interior
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A surviving route map, seen just before the vehicle was scrapped, 12/12. John Joyce |
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M51592's interior, on its last day of carrying passengers, 27/4/08. Dave Moor |