55024 Class 121 Driving Motor Brake Second

Home Railway

Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway

Location History

Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway Oct 13-Present

Current Location

Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway

Current Status

Operational

Current Livery

Non Standard BR Maroon (Half Yellow Panel)

TRA Designation

4

Owner

Private

Website

None

Record Last Updated

22 September 2023

Preservation Modifications
Some preservation modifications were built into the vehicle during its major restoration period, when many of the BR departmental modifications were in the process of being removed. The main seating areas have no luggage racking or lighting. Several tables have been added and several doors are permenently sealed where the tables are located. The two original passenger saloons are now opened out as one with a bar/serving area in what used to be the smaller passenger vestibule.. The BR departmental modification of a much reduced guards area has been retained, and what was originally the luggage area now has a further 10 passenger seats installed within it. The vehicle's new seating capacity is 59.

Preservation Information
In common with many of the single units, 55024 was converted to a departmental vehicle, numbered 977858. Latterly used by Network Rail as a Sandite vehicle, it was preserved in 2013 by a group of private individuals based on the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway.

Several options were discussed as to the vehicle's purpose: including converson to a Pway support vehicle, use as a disabled saloon and preservation as a Sandite vehicle. However after a ballot by members, it was agreed to restore the vehicle to original condition. Initial work was fixing the exterior paint with polymer to protect it over the winter months.

In April 2014, the restoration work commenced. Four years of work followed, with a look over the mechanical side completed. However the main focus of the restoration would be bodywork, repainting and reversal of the departmental modifications which had been done to the upper half. The passenger saloon was reinstated with reclaimed seating and the interior panels/ceilings etc were all recreated to allow 55024 to be used as a passenger vehicle again.

In 2018 the end started to be in sight, with the vehicle entering the restoration shed at Chinnor for bodywork and a full repaint. 55024 retained its non original maroon colour scheme which it carried whilst in use as a Sandite vehicle, which had the effect of retaining the "unique selling point" of this particular vehicle. The interior was practically complete by this point, so the remaining months were spent futher improving the mechanical and electrical condition of the vehicle to ready it for regular passenger service.

In April 2019 the vehicle was relaunched into passenger service, its restoration and back-conversion complete. The quality of the restoration led to the vehicle receiving The Railcar Association's Railcar of the Year award for 2019.

55024 regularly operates services on the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway.

Future Plans
To maintain in service.

W55024 approaching one of the crossings on the line, 3/6/23. Chris Moxon

W55024 passing the Cricket Club, 3/6/23. Chris Moxon

W55024 in service at Chinnor, 3/6/23. Chris Moxon

W55024 having arrived at Princes Risborough on the first train of the day, 3/6/23. Chris Moxon

W55024 in service on the C&PRR, 11/4/19. Paul Weston

W55024 undertaking its final test runs before being returned to passenger service, 28/3/19. John Flynn

W55024 undertaking its final test runs before being returned to passenger service, 28/3/19. John Flynn

A close up of W55024's number, complete with Aylesbury duck, before being returned to passenger service, 28/3/19. John Flynn

W55024 during repainting inside the shed at Chinnor. It is keeping its maroon colour scheme, 24/4/18. John Flynn

W55024 outside the shed at Chinnor, 12/8/17. Adam Barrell

New arrival 960010 at Chinnor, 29/5/14. David Jessop

The drivers side of W55024's No1 cab, 3/6/23. Chris Moxon

The secondmans side of W55024's No1 cab, 3/6/23. Chris Moxon

The drivers side of W55024's No2 cab, 3/6/23. Chris Moxon

The secondmans side of W55024's No2 cab, 3/6/23. Chris Moxon

View of W55024's main passenger saloon looking towards the guards van, 3/6/23. Chris Moxon

The modified buffet counter area inside W55024, 3/6/23. Chris Moxon

Loose chairs opposite the buffet counter, useful for travelling volunteer crew, 3/6/23. Chris Moxon

The guards compartment is much reduced in size from original, a hangover from the vehicle's route learning days, 3/6/23. Chris Moxon

Extra seating squeezed into the former guards compartment, offering a view of the line from the No2 end, 3/6/23. Chris Moxon

W55024's restored cab just after entering service at the end of its restoration, 9/4/19. John Flynn

W55024's restored passenger saloon just after entering service at the end of its restoration, 9/4/19. John Flynn

W55024's new buffet area just after entering service at the end of its restoration, 9/4/19. John Flynn

The restored and completed interior saloon, 24/4/18.John Flynn

Volunteers progressing the finishing touches to the ceilings, 21/2/17.John Flynn