52062 Class 108 Driving Motor Composite Lavatory

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Telford Steam Railway

Location History

Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway 92-Jul 12

Current Location

Peak Rail

 

Telford Steam Railway Jul 12-Jun 23

Current Status

Operational

 

 

Current Livery

Non Authentic Chocolate & Cream

Visited Railways

Peak Rail Jun 23-Present

TRA Designation

4

   

Partner Vehicle(s)

51950

 

 

Owner

Private

 

 

Website

facebook.com/groups/167808232797045

   

Record Last Updated

1 July 2023

   

Preservation Modifications
Two tables have been fitted to the facing seats inside the First Class saloon.

Preservation Information
52062 was withdrawn from Tyseley in June 1991 with partner 51950 and was preserved as a set the following year at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. Like many DMUs, the vehicle was seen as providing a good economical form of traction capable of sustainable off peak running during the low season.

By the late 1990’s 52062 had been repainted into green with speed whiskers and was operational, providing winter services on the GWSR.

52062 performed this role for several seasons before being withdrawn from traffic in 2002 requiring overhaul. Sadly this was not forthcoming and the set was placed into store at Winchcombe for nearly 10 years.

In 2010 however 52062 was moved closer to the workshops at Toddington and the vehicle was noted as being without its engines in June 2011. It was believed that a return to service was in the pipeline. However this proved to be unfounded and the vehicles were put up for sale.

In 2012 52062 & 51950 were purchased for use on the Telford Steam Railway being relocated in July. On arrival it was noted that 52062 had a better interior than 51950 but that the removed engines would delay a return to service. During the autumn the cab was stripped and rotten metal removed. New metal was welded in then filled and sanded to original profile. The interior of the cab was cleaned and rust-proofed. Just before Christmas the first of the vehicle's engines (which had been supplied complete during the vehicle's sale) was tested and refitted. During the Christmas period, the second engine was also refitted. This latter engine had been in a poor state after being left outside with no protection on inlet or exhaust ports. When the engine was stripped it was found to be rusty inside the cylinders and head. Lots of time and effort during the autumn was spent stripping it down and renewing/refurbishing components. By the end of the year both engines were sucessfully running on the vehicle. Externally the rotten cab end was cut out and repairs made to the framework before a new skin was fitted where required. The whole area was then finished off in yellow.

During 2013, work moved onto replacing damged ceiling panels in the interior. The first class saloon was fully refurbished and completed, work including a thorough clean, reupholstered seating and replacement carpets.

2014 saw 52062 continue to progress externally, the roof was repainted and the vehicle bodysides painted in primer in May. The following month saw the vehicle in full chocolate & cream colours with the repaint completed in September.

In 2015, 52062 saw the renewing of the interior completed, testing and adjustment of the braking system and a full mechanical exam. It then entered service in April.

52062 & 51950ran for an eight year period (Covid excepting) but running dates were few and far between, particularly in the 2020's, with a limited number of open days being shared by an increasing stable of different traction based on the line. Some years 52062 was used on just one day or weekend in public service.

In 2023 a deal was struck for 52062 & 51950 to move to Peak Rail on hire under a new support group the "Rowsley Class 108 DMU Group".

Future Plans
Reportedly there is an option for 52062 & 51950 to be purchased by its hirers in 2024 so the move to Peak Railmay prove permanent.

 

52062 alongside newcomer 142004 at Spring Village, 1/5/21. Chris Moxon

   

M52062/M51950 stabled at Spring Village. It has not worked during 2020 due to the Covid-19 situation, 5/9/20. Chris Moxon

   

M52062/M51950 running at Spring Village. The set ran for just one weekend in passenger service that year, 15/9/19. Aaron Browning

   

M52062 in service, 10/9/16. Andy Miles

   

M52062/M51950 during a Heritage Railway Association charter, 7/2/16. Chris Moxon

   

M52062/M51950 stabled at Spring Village, 1/11/15. Chris Moxon

   

M52062/M51950 at the Telford Steam Railway's newly opened Lawley Village station, 4/4/15. Alistair Grieve

   

M52062 stabled at Spring Village, 3/4/15. Zoe Hunter

   

M52062/M51950 seen at Lawley Common after the completion of the repaint, 19/9/14. Kevin Jones

   

52062/51950 after their repaint had nearly been completed, 16/6/14. Kevin Jones

   

52062/51950, now in Chocolate & Cream, May 2014. Dave Angell

   

56062/51950, after the bodysides had been painted in primer, May 2014. Kevin Jones

   

An engine being refitted to W52062, 30/12/12. Kevin Jones

   

Front end corrosion repairs completed on W52062, 2012. Kevin Jones

   

Front end corrosion repairs being undertaken on W52062, 2012. Kevin Jones

   

W52062/W51950, newly arrived at Telford, 9/7/12. Chris Moxon

   

Some of the effects of a long period in storage at the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway have recently been recorded. Here, the drivers side of the vehicle is seen on 52062, 6/6/11. Trevor Daw

   

Some of the effects of a long period in storage at the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway have recently been recorded. Here, the rear of the vehicle is seen on 52062, 6/6/11. Trevor Daw

   

Some of the effects of a long period in storage at the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway have recently been recorded. Here, the flaking number is seen on 52062, 6/6/11. Trevor Daw

   

Some of the effects of a long period in storage at the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway have recently been recorded. Here, a depressed buffer is seen on 52062, 6/6/11. Trevor Daw

   

52062 & 51980 in store at Winchcombe, 10/7/09.Anon Mouse

   

52062/51950 at Toddington, 18/3/95. David McGuire

   

52062 on the GWR. Jim Poor

 

 

Interior

 

The cab of 52062, 1/11/15. Chris Moxon

   

The cab of 52062, 1/11/15. Chris Moxon

   

The first class saloon of 52062, 1/11/15. Chris Moxon

   

The middle saloon of 52062, 1/11/15. Chris Moxon

   

The rear saloon of 52062, 1/11/15. Chris Moxon

   

52062's First Class saloon after being refurbished witgh new carpets, new tables and recovered seating, 2/614. Kevin Jones

   

52062's First Class saloon in the condition that its new owners at Telford aquired it in, 2013. Kevin Jones