51922 Class 108 Driving Motor Brake Second

Home Railway

National Railway Museum

Location History

National Railway Museum (York) Jul 92-Present

Current Location

National Railway Museum (York)

Current Status

Static Display

Visited Railways

East Lancashire Railway Jan 11-Jul 14

Current Livery

BR Green (Speed Whiskers)

East Kent Railway Jul 14-May 17

TRA Designation

4

Allelys Heavy Haulage (storage) May 17-Aug 17

Partner Vehicle(s)

51562

Owner

National Railway Museum

Website

railwaymuseum.org.uk

Record Last Updated

1 October 2020

Preservation Modifications
None

Preservation Information
This vehicle gained a place in the National Railway Museum’s collection, for being a good original example of a BR built DMU. Unlike the majority of 108’s that were preserved, 51922 was never refurbished, so the original features such as the green coloured Formica panelling and tungsten lighting remain in situ.

Preserved in 1992 with partner 51562, the set arrived at the NRM under its own power, and was painted into green/blue (51922 being green) to represent the livery variation that DMUs spend much of their working lives in.

51922 made its passenger debut in 1999 at a Thomas event, having been fitted with a brand new steel front end, as the original had been found to be very badly corroded. However, the NRM is primarily a museum, with only a very short demonstration line at its base in York. 51922 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, 51922 & 51562 was 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 Immediately after the event, 51922 was withdrawn and entered the shed for a full external refurbishment. The vehicle emerged during July fully repainted in BR Green with Speed Whiskers. After further mechanical work, the vehicle was back in traffic for the Thomas event in August.

Between August 2011 and July 2014, 51922 operated infrequently with 51562, 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 51922 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.

51922 & 51562 entered 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. 51922 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.

51922 was stored for a time outside the museum buildings, but was later moved undercover inside the diesel tent for a period on static display.

In August 2020 51922/51562 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 suggested that the move was to better place the vehicles for restoration work to be undertaken.

Future Plans
The NRM have suggested that 51922 will receive cosmetic restoration work to make it more suitable for a further period of static display. Long term, the vehicle is one of the few items in their collection that has been listed as suitable for having an operating (rather than static) future.

51922 & 51562 during their very rare move over mainline metals, during a transfer from the NRM's south yard over to the Great Hall side of the complex. They were hauled by the museum's class 47, 26/8/20. Alex Fowles

M51922, shortly after arrival at the National Railway Museum in York, 20/7/17. Alex Fowles

M51922 being used as loco-hauled stock, 22/6/15. Simon Potter

M51922 making one of its first runs along the EKR, 28/7/14. East Kent Railway

M51922 paired up with 56343, 24/7/14. East Kent Railway

M51922, shortly after arrival at the East Kent Railway, 18/7/14. East Kent Railway

M51922/M51562 pass W55001 at Ramsbottom, 16/3/13. Brian Battersby

M51922 & M51562 stand at Rawtenstall with the 11:05 Rawtenstall-Heywood during the DMU Day, 16/3/13.Chris Moxon

M51922/M51562 stand at Bury Bolton Street (Platform 4) with the 11:30 Heywood-Rawtenstall service during the annual DMU Day, 17/3/12. Chris Moxon

M51922/M51562 stand at Bury Bolton Street (Platform 4) with the 11:30 Heywood-Rawtenstall service during the annual DMU Day, 17/3/12. Chris Moxon

National Railway Museum owned DMUs passing at Bury Bolton Street. M51922/M51562 stand on the right with the 11:30 Heywood-Rawtenstall, and Class 101 set M51192/M56352 stand on the left with the 11:05 Rawtenstall-Heywood service during the annual DMU Day, 17/3/12. Chris Moxon

M51922/M51562 wait for the Class 122 at Ramsbottom with the 11:30 Heywood-Rawtenstall service during the annual DMU Day, 17/3/12. Chris Moxon

51922 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

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. Chris Moxon

Under the canopy at Bury Bolton Street on its first public passenger day for 10 years, at the East Lancs Railway's 2011 DMU Theme Day, 19/3/11. Chris Moxon

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

Departing Irwell Vale on its first public passenger day for 10 years, at the East Lancs Railway's 2011 DMU Theme Day, 19/3/11. Chris Moxon

On static display in the National Railway Museum's diesel tent, 30/5/07. Chris Moxon

M51922 operating at the National Railway Museum running day, 6/5/00. Paul Ellis

M51922 & M51562 stabled at York, 11/10/99. John Carter

A cab end view of 51922 at York, 26/3/95. Nick Blyth

51922/51562 at the NRM, 1/10/94. David McGuire

M51922's cab, drivers side, 16/3/13. Chris Moxon

M51922's cab, secondmans side, 16/3/13. Chris Moxon

M51922's front saloon during the annual DMU Day. The vehicle was never refurbished so retained the original tungsten lighting, 17/3/12. Chris Moxon

M51922's middle saloon during the annual DMU Day. The vehicle was never refurbished so retained the original tungsten lighting, 17/3/12. Chris Moxon

M51922's guards van during the annual DMU Day. Note that the original cage remains, 17/3/12. Chris Moxon