51933 Class 108 Driving Motor Brake Second

Home Railway	Llangollen Railway	Location History	Peak Rail Oct 93-Aug 98
Current Location	Llangollen Railway		Swanage Railway Aug 98-Jan 19
Current Status	Operational		Llangollen Railway Jan 19-Present
Current Livery	BR Green (Half Yellow Panel)
TRA Designation	4	Visited Railways	Eastleigh Works (Contract Overhaul) Jan 10-Jul 10
Partner Vehicle(s)	56504		Eastleigh Works (Contract Overhaul) Mar 14-Feb 15
Owner	Private
Website	llangollenrailcars.co.uk
Record Last Updated	10 December 2022
Preservation Modifications None
Preservation Information 51933 (and partner 56504) are believed to have been preserved in the early 1990's as part of a bulk buy of nine Class 108 vehicles (four sets). The sets were based at the owning group's headquarters at Peak Rail, however 51933/56504 were placed on long term loan to the Swanage Railway in Dorset in 1997. After arriving at Swanage 51933 was painted green and entered traffic operating off-peak services at the line. This involved use both in the low season when steam wasn't viable and as a second train during the mid season. During the high summer, 51933 was used on an unusual (for a preserved line) Friday/Saturday night shuttle trains which operated between 6pm and midnight! This ideal regular running all year round enabled the set to operate for many years reliably. In 2008 the original Peak Rail "empire" was broken up and all original vehicles sold on to new owners. This included 51933/56504 but the change in circumstance affected these vehicles less than the sets at Peak Rail, because as 51933 was already on loan, the vehicle was simply sold to the hirer and the set continued in service at Swanage until poor condition resulted in the vehicle being stored in 2009 awaiting overhaul. In 2010, with 51933 now owned by the railway, the decision was taken to fully overhaul the vehicle to ensure its operational future on the line. This was done on a contract basis between January and July. Interestingly, 51933 was hauled to Eastleigh Works from Swanage by rail, but due to problems had to return by road. The overhaul consisted of a full external, internal and mechanical refresh which included a bodyside and roof repaint, engine repairs and reupholstered seating amongst other work. Between 2010 & 2014, 51933/56504 returned to its role as one of the primary operating sets on the Swanage Railway. In March 2014, 51933 was moved by rail once again to Eastleigh Works for a second overahul on a contract basis. The vehicle returned early the following year and re-entered service at Swanage. By 2018, 51933/56504 had been declared surplus to requirements by the Swanage Railway who, citing a shortage of space on the railway, felt that their Class 117 and Class 121 sets would be able to handle all services once they had been returned from Eastleigh where they had been receiving overhaul work to return them to mainline operating condition. 51933/56504 were consequently put up for sale and remained on the market for some time, continuing the operate Swanage Railway services. By early 2019 the set had found a private buyer who gave custody to the Llangollen Railcar Group. 51933 moved to its new home at the Llangollen Railway shortly afterwards and was immediately prepared for service. Sadly 51933 was the victim of a graffiti attack in August 2021 and had to receive some attention to reverse the damage. 2022 was a particularly busy year with 51933 doing its share of over 9,000 miles of running at the railway, which post-Covid had been using DMU's more than ever before. 51933/56504 continue to operate as part of the Llangollen Railcars fleet under a long term custodianship agreement.
Future Plans To maintain in service

	51933's bodyside following a graffiti attack at Pentrefelin. M56223 is in the background, 25/8/21. Llangollen Railway

	51933/56504 arrive at Berwyn, with driver John Joyce working the 10:50 Llangollen-Carrog, 15/9/19. Chris Moxon

	51933 being unloaded at Llangollen having made its journey north from Swanage, 29/1/19. Evan Green-Hughes

	51933/56504 in service at Corfe Castle, 7/15. Reg Vardy

	51933 & 56504 in service near Corfe Castle, 11/5/12. Darren Harris

	51933 at the end of the stock sidings at Harman's Cross. By this time the vehicle was out of traffic after many years service awaiting dispatch for overhaul at Eastleigh Works, 27/10/09. Chris Moxon

	51933 & 56504 stabled at Swanage, 4/5/09. David Beardmore

	51933 & 56504 in service at Swanage, 17/7/08. Steve Makin

	51933 being cleaned at Swanage, 10/11/02. Chris Walker