51622 Class 127 Driving Motor Brake Second

Home Railway

Helston Railway

Location History

Great Central Railway Mar 84-Apr 21

Current Location

Private Site: Henstridge

Private Site: Henstridge Apr 21-Present

Current Status

Stored

Current Livery

BR Green (Speed Whiskers)

TRA Designation

4

Partner Vehicle(s)

None

Owner

Website

Record Last Updated

16 September 2023

Preservation Modifications
Gangways were fitted to the vehicle to enable through access to the bar in 59276.

Preservation Information
51622 was withdrawn in January 1984 and purchased by a large group of railwaymen comprising of maintenance staff (fitters, electricians, supervisors and managers) based at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). Together they formed the Red Triangle Society whose initial aim was to save some 127 vehicles having built and maintained them in service through thick and thin for so many years. Upon withdrawal of the units, delayed due to the blacklisting by drivers of their replacements the Class 317 EMU's, the society met after hours to arrange the sale of 51622, 51616 and Class 120 59276, receiving critiscism from fellow depot staff. However they were aided to success by several well known individuals including loco owner Gerald Boden who did not wish to be directly involved due to the politics of the time, but nevertheless offerd much support and guidance. Red Triangle Society would later go on to own approximately half of the preserved Class 127 fleet.

The result of the hard work was the preservation and relocation of a 3-car hybrid 127/120 set to the growing Great Central Railway in 1984.

The vehicles were restored and returned to traffic in BR Green livery and operated as a set for many years on the GCR.

However deteriorating bodywork resulted in 51622 being taken out of traffic around the year 2000. After a period in store, a start was made on the bodywork repairs. However the increasing age of the ownership group meant progress during this 10 year period was slow.

In 2011 however, a new consortium of volunteers was formed to return the vehicles to passenger service. During the year work mechanical work was undertaken with both engines being resurrected as alongside many other miscellaneous jobs. Work on tidying up the interior and exterior was also completed, with the best of the original seats from 51616/51622 being fitted into this vehicle.

The vehicle moved under its own power for the first time in 12 years at Loughborough in March 2012 on a test run with 50266. The vehicle (in the same formation) carried passenges at the line's war weekend in June and was in service again for the railcar convention in September. During the year, the rolling programme of mechanical improvements/maintenance continued to increase the reliability and mechanical condition of the vehicle. The air systems and brake gear were recertified for use and the exhaust systems repaired. The external appearance was also improved with some patch repairs & painting and a roof dome repaint.

In 2013, 51622 regained its normal partner 51616 and saw occasional use at special events. Sadly the upturn in fortunes was not to last long, and 51622 did not operate many services before being withdrawn from service once again and stored. No longer able to ignore their position, the owning group sold 51622 & 51616 to Grinsty Rail who continued to store it whilst investigating options for restoration and hire once complete.

Yet again, 51622 continued to fester with no activity to steady its worsening condition. After more years of store, 51622/51616 were sold again to the Helston Railway in January 2020. Whilst partner 51616 made the move south straight away, access problems close to the Helston Railway led to 51622's move being cancelled at the last minute.

For over a year 51622 remained stored at the Great Central Railway whilst the access issues were resolved. Eventually 51622 left, being stored at Vincent Engineering's yard in Somerset where it remains until it can be delivered to its home at Helston.

Future Plans
The Helston Railway reportedly wish to move 51622 onto their railway as soon as they can and get it operational to operate DMU services for the first time on their line with 51616.

51622 stored at Henstridge, 7/7/23. Darren JB

51622 in storage at Henstridge, 7/10/21. Philip Bailey

51622 being moved for a second attempt at delivery away from the GCR, 21/4/21. Bruce Pollard

A corridor end view of 51622 being shunted onto the landing pad at Quorn intended for its trip to Cornwall, which was later cancelled, 19/1/20. Bruce Pollard

51622/616 stored at Quorn, 3/5/19. Chris Moxon

51622/51616 stored at Quorn, 17/6/17. Carl Watson

51622 now moved to the sidings at Quorn, 6/5/17. Chris Moxon

51622/51616 stored at Loughborough, 23/4/16. Brian Battersby

51622/51616 stored at Loughborough, 23/2/14. Chris Moxon

51622 being tested again with 50266, coupled to Class 101 set 50321/51427, in preparation for TRA Convention weekend, 5/9/12. Liam Tinsley

51622 at Woodthorpe operating with passengers for the first time in 12 years during the line's war weekend with Class 101's 50266, 50321 & 51427, 9/6/12. Chris Moxon

51622 heads a 4-car set with 50266, 51427 & 50321 at Loughborough, 9/5/12. Liam Tinsley

Repaintng on M51622, showing new lining and numbering, 26/4/12. Liam Tinsley

51622 on shed at Loughborough, 18/4/12. Liam Tinsley

51622 on test with 50266 at Loughborough, 21/3/12. Liam Tinsley

51622 at Loughborough showing off a repainted roof dome, 21/3/12. Liam Tinsley

Front end corrosion repairs on 51622 being followed up by fresh paint and reapplied whiskers, 8/1/12. Liam Tinsley

51622 under restoration at Rothley, 19/8/11. Liam Tinsley

51622 under restoration at Rothley, 19/8/11. Liam Tinsley

51622 stored at Loughborough, 2/8/07. Andy Cole

51622 at the north end of Loughborough shed, 23/2/05. Stuart Mackay

51622, 59276 & 51616 in store at Loughborough, 12/9/04. Simon Edwards

51622 in Loughborough station during a Red Triangle Society Christmas charter. The appalling front end condition was due to 'washable' paint applied for a filming job taking more off with it than it should have, 1/12/00. Stuart Mackay

51622, 59276 & 51616 stabled at Loughboroughin 1996. John Law

51622, 59276 & 51616 in service at Loughborough, 1/8/96. Tony Willmore

51622 at Loughborough, 22/5/88. Robert Frise

51622 at Loughborough, 1/8/85. Malcolm Clements

Newly restored 51622 on a winter's day in 1984 working the 11:45 Loughborough-Rothley. Richard Waterhouse

51622 being loaded for a short move from the mainline at Loughborough to the preserved GCR, 1984. Liam Tinsley

51622 being loaded for a short move from the mainline at Loughborough to the preserved GCR, 1984. Liam Tinsley

51622 being loaded for a short move from the mainline at Loughborough to the preserved GCR, 1984. Liam Tinsley

51622's cab, 19/8/11. Liam Tinsley

One of 51622's seats, 19/8/11. Liam Tinsley

Driver Graham Christian eases the leading power car of the Great Central Railway-based Class 127 'Bed-Pan', (51616/22) - that includes the sole-surviving Swindon Class 120 car, trailer buffet 59276 - over Swithland reservoir. This was during the first public trains over the initial section of double track, running a shuttle from Quorn & Woodhouse station to Swithland. Today, the double track is in everyday use; sadly the Class 127 has been discarded and badly needs some TLC, 20/4/97. Mel Holley.