142084 - 55780 Class 142 Driving Motor Second Lavatory

Home Railway

Rushden, Higham & Wellingborough Railway

Location History

Rushden, Higham & Wellingborough Railway Jan 20-Present

Current Location

Rushden, Higham & Wellingborough Railway

Current Status

Operational

Current Livery

Northern Rail

TRA Designation

4

Partner Vehicle(s)

55734

Owner

Rushden Historical Transport Society

Website

rhts.co.uk

Record Last Updated

4 February 2020

Preservation Modifications
None

Preservation Information
55780 was preserved as a complete set with partner 55734. Unlike first generation railcars, Class 142 units generally operated in their as-built formations their whole working lives, 55780 & 55734 are more commonly known by their set number: 142084.

142084 was the fifth Class 142 to be preserved, and the first example of the second batch of sets (142051-096) saved. It was also the first representative of the class with a refurbished interior to be preserved, having been refitted with high backed 2+2 seating arrangement, a marked move away from the original "bus style" seating. Its last home was at Heaton (Newcastle) under Northern Rail before preservation, in yet another "first", 142084 was the first North Eastern/Heaton based Class 142preserved. It was purchased by theRushden, Higham & Wellingborough Railway who despite having had first generation vehicles on site for ten years, had yet to operate any DMU's on passenger services. The set arrived at its new home early in 2020 along with sister 142091, which had very similar pedigree to 084.

142084 is currently fully operational but has yet to operate any public services in preservation.

Future Plans
The Rushden, Higham & Wellingborough Railway have indicated that in time, 142084 will be used on passenger services on their railway.

142091 in the sidings at Rushden, upon arrival into preservation, 29/1/20. Rushden, Higham & Wellingborough Railway

A view of the single passenger saloon located inside 55780. Obvious is the refurbished seating, with the higher-than-original backs and 2+2 configuration, 29/1/20. Rushden, Higham & Wellingborough Railway