52044 Class 108 Driving Motor Composite Lavatory (Scrapped)

Last Location	Dean Forest Railway	Location History	Pontypool & Blaenavon RailwayApr 94-Dec 20
Current Status	Scrapped at Dean Forest Railway 2022		Dean Forest Railway Dec 20-Nov 22
Last Livery	BR Blue & Grey
Partner Vehicle(s)	50632	Visited Railways	St Phillips Marsh Depot (Bristol) Dec 20
Record Last Updated	16 April 2023
Preservation Modifications None
Preservation Information 50632 was preserved in 1994 on the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway with partner 50632. The set was unusual in being formed of two DMCL vehicles coupled back-to-back (with no guards compartment) and also for carrying Blue & Grey livery long before it was accepted at most other railways. In September 1999 52044 & 50632 made their preservation debut following restoration work, and after that they operated most of the timetabled DMU services. By 2008 the vehicle was noted as being out of service requiring engine repairs, despite some reports that these repairs were resolved, 52044 did not appear to return to traffic, and was instead stored awaiting the resources to complete the repairs. The harsh rural winters soon took their toll, and before long 52044 had deteriorated to the extent that an increased amount of restoration work would be required before the vehicle could be considered for a return to service. This work was not forthcoming by the owning group, and the railway's resources instead turned to the other resident DMU set on the line, a class 117. The 108's continued to wait patiently in storage. In June 2020, presumably after a final decision was made that the restoration of 52044 was not going to be started, the vehicle (along with partner 50632) was put up for sale. After around six months, the set was purchased by the Dean Forest Railway DMU Group, whole as a source of spare parts, and departed the Pontypool & Blaenavon for its final "home" via tyre turning at St Phillips Marsh depot in Bristol. 52044 was the first of the pair to arrive at Lydney, very early in the morning and in heavy rain, and no time was wasted in shunting the vehicle up to Norchard where the DMU group was based. Where possible within Covid-19 restrictions, 52044 proceeded to be stripped to a bare shell throughout 2021 with very few parts (if any) left behind. As well as stocking up the required spares for the Dean Forest fleet of Class 108's, a very large number of parts were sold and made available to other groups all around the UK. These were collected at various times in the Spring and Summer with 52044 becoming less and less of a vehicle. In December the primary stripping had been completed and the rolling remains of the vehicle was stored down the line, being replaced in the main yard by partner 50632 which was due for similar treatment. A period of just under a year followed where the stripped remains of 52044 were stored awaiting final disposal. Once 50632 had been reduced to a similar status, in November 2022 both vehicles were moved for the final time down the line to Lydney Junction and were very swiftly scrapped on site by contractors. 52044's body and chassis were removed in sections leaving the bogies behind, the final, and largest, spare parts to be rescued for future use. 52044 was not considered to be a major loss to preservation, with Class 108's remaining one of the largest classes in preservation with many identical DMCL vehicles still extant.

	W52044 in the process of being scrapped on site at Lydney Junction, 8/11/22. Nigel Benning

	W52044 awaits the final reckoning at Lydney Junction, 8/11/22. Nigel Benning

	W52044, now stripped of all usable parts, being removed from the yard at Norchard for further storage whilst W53632 receives the same treatment, 20/12/21. Nigel Benning

	W52044 being stripped for spares at Norchard. Of note is the cab roof dome, which was removed for reuse on Class 121 55032, 23/10/21. Darren JB

	W52044 after being unloaded at Lydney, Dean Forest Railway. It had arrived from Bristol St Phillips Marsh depot after tyre turning. Although the vehicle was bought primarily for spares, the spares have to be of use! Hence the reprofiling work on the way to its new home. 52044 was the first of the donor vehicles to arrive, and is seen here reay to be tripped to Norchard - DMU HQ, 23/12/20. Nigel Benning

	W52044/W53632 seen at the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway in a very sorry state indeed, after the effects of over a decade of outside storage with no remedial work to arrest the decay. The set was for sale at the time, its owners having decided they were not going to undertake any restoration, 20/11/20. Dean Forest Railway DMU Group

	W52044 stored and getting in a bad way, 3/9/17. David Bellamy

	W52044 in the yards at Furnace Sidings on the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway, 23/4/11. Griffin-Images

	W52044/W53632 at Blaenavon, 27/8/06. Simon Edwards

	W52044, 2/7/05. Stuart Mackay