51852 Class 115 Driving Motor Brake Second (Scrapped)
Last Location |
Location History |
West Somerset Railway Apr 94-Jun 11 |
|
Current Status |
Scrapped at Dean Forest Railway July 2011 |
|
Dean Forest RailwayJun 11-Jul 11 |
Last Livery |
BR Green (Full Yellow End) |
|
|
Partner Vehicle(s) |
None |
||
Record Last Updated |
16 September 2023 |
||
Preservation Modifications |
|||
Preservation Information 51852 was repainted into a plain green livery and it is not clear during the 1990's whether 51852 was in a general pool of vehicles or if it was formed into a second fixed set, paired with 51887. It wasn't long before cars started to fall out of the service and one set was concentrated on going forwards. 51852's last year of operation is not known, but by 2004 it was noted as in storage awaiting overhaul. Whilst in storage the gearboxes were removed to replace examples on other vehicles. In June 2011, a planned reduction in West Somerset Railway DMU mileage resulted in the railway deciding it only required three Class 115 powercars, two in traffic and a third as a spare. With the new turntable on the railway now operational, the third powercar would have the potential to cover for both north and south facing vehicles. Consequrently 51852, now the poorest of the four powercars remaining on the line, was put up for sale. Less than 24 hours after being advertised, the vehicle was purchased by a member from the Dean Forest Railway and was quickly relocated to the DFR. 51852 was recognised as being too far gone to economically repair the bodywork, so in just a few weeks the vehicle was dismantled for spares, with DMU groups all over the UK benefiting from the parts provided. The vehicle was not regarded as historically important, as at the time of its demise nine identical vehicles remained in preservation. |
|||
 |
A final view of 51852, the roof having been cut reducing the vehicle down to an underframe, July 2011. Chris Bull |
 |
A final view of 51852, the roof having been cut reducing the vehicle down to an underframe, July 2011. Chris Bull |
 |
51852, the interior now stripped, is seen with most of its bodypanels and framework gone, July 2011. Chris Bull |
 |
51852, the interior now stripped, is seen with most of its bodypanels and framework gone, July 2011. Chris Bull |
 |
51852, the interior now stripped, is seen with most of its bodypanels and framework gone, July 2011. Chris Bull |
 |
51852 early on in the cuttting process, the interior bering stripped out, July 2011. Chris Bull |
 |
51852's front end shortly after arriving at the Dean Forest Railway for stripping, June 2011. Chris Bull |
 |
51852's numberpanel shortly after arriving at the Dean Forest Railway for stripping, June 2011. Chris Bull |
 |
51852's data panel on the corridor end shortly after arriving at the Dean Forest Railway for stripping, June 2011. Chris Bull |
 |
51852's works plate shortly after arriving at the Dean Forest Railway for stripping, June 2011. Chris Bull |
 |
51852 making its last journey from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard behind Class 33 D6566. The vehicle had been puchased by the Dean Forest Railway just days before and was to be moved by road to Lydney for component recovery and scrapping. This was completed in a very short space of time, 25/6/11. Chris Bull |
 |
51852 in storage at Minehead, 4/9/10. Chris Moxon |
 |
Another view of 51852, still stored at Minehead, 30/5/09. Pyewipe Jct |
 |
51852 in storage at Minehead, 28/1/08. Will Salt |
 |
51852, now sheeted, in storage at Minehead, 17/3/07. Simon Jones |
 |
51852 in storage at Minehead, 6/8/04. Simon Jones |
Interior
 |
51852's interior being stripped out during the vehicle's dismantling at the Dean Forest Railway, July 2011. Chris Bull |
 |
A view of a WSR data panel inside 51852, June 2011. Chris Bull |