56121 Class 105 Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory
Home Railway |
Location History |
West Somerset Railway Apr 82-Mar 97 |
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Current Location |
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East Lancashire Railway Mar 97-Present |
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Current Status |
Operational |
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Current Livery |
BR Green (Plain End) |
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TRA Designation |
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Partner Vehicle(s) |
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Owner |
Private |
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Website |
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Record Last Updated |
1 December 2022 |
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Preservation Modifications |
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Preservation Information Until the end of 1983 the set ran in BR blue, but was then painted green with yellow ends. In the early 1990's, all of the first generation DMU’s on the WSR were taken out of service because of asbestos content. 56121 was viewed as one of the vehicles the railway did not wish to retain, and the railway decided to standardise on DMU types; choosing to replace the DMUs with a fleet of 115/117 suburban vehicles. 56121 last worked on the WSRin October 1996, paired with a Class 115 powercar, 51485 presumably having already been withdrawn. Whilst on the WSR, 56121 & 51485 ran over 200,000 miles in traffic. Luckily, as 56121 & 51485 were the only complete Class 105 set in preservation, they were purchased by the East Lancashire Railway in 1997 and were moved and stripped of asbestos shortly after. Sadly, asbestos stripping leaves vehicles as empty shells, and 56121 was no exception. A full rebuild to top standards was considered as the only way forward, appropriate given the set's historical significance. By 2012, after over 10 years 56121's rebuild had been completed (except finishing touches). However the restoration was at a more advanced stage than partner 51485, so 56121 was kept undercover awaiting the completion of 51485's restoration. In 2013, 56121 was put on display for the first time since the early 2000's at the line's March DMU day and drew much interest. During 2017, with the restoration of 51485 well advanced, exciting finishing touches were applied to 56121 in readiness to the set's long awaited return to passenger service. The bodysides were flatted back one last time, top coat applied and all numbering, lettering, lining and varnishing completed. 56121 moved as a DMU vehicle for the first time in over 20 years during March when it sucessfully ran into the station and back with Class 122 55001 providing the power. During August the first class seating was fitted into position. During September 56121 was coupled to partner 51485 properly (i.e. with all connections) for the first time in two decades. On 20th October 2017, it was the moment of truth for the Class 105 set restoration when the two cars made a successful test run from Bury down the "main line" to Heywood and back. The set was relaunched into service following the conclusion of its 21 year major restoration on Saturday 4th November 2017. 56121/51485 now operate as the railway's flagship DMU set. |
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Future Plans |
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E56121 passes 144009 at Ramsbottom during the line's DMU Weekend, 13/11/22. Richard Moxon |
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E56121/Sc51485 call at Ramsbottom, 17/9/22. Martyn Hearson |
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With a wave from the driver Kevin Dowd, E56121/Sc51485 are seen rolling into Irwell Vale with the 10:20 Rawtenstall-Heywood, 4/8/21. Frank Richards |
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E56121/Sc51485 near Irwell Vale, 10/11/19. Frank Richards |
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E56121 basks in the sun at Ramsbottom, 5/11/17. Chris Moxon |
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E56121 near Irwell Vale, 5/11/17. Chris Moxon |
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E56121 passes through the closed Ewood Bridge station, 5/11/17. Chris Moxon |
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E56121/Sc51485 glowing in the sunshine at Bury during shunting, 8/9/17. Kevin Dowd |
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Signwriting gives E56121 it's full original identity at last! 4/4/17. Kevin Dowd |
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56121 part way through lining inside Buckley Wells shed, 19/3/17. Bury Unit Team |
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56121 seen at Bury on public display for the first time in over 10 years. Its exterior restoration now complete, the vehicle will receive a fresh coat of paint just before entry into traffic, 16/3/13. Chris Moxon |
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Corridor view of 56121 seen at Bury on public display for the first time in over 10 years. Its exterior restoration now complete, the vehicle will receive a fresh coat of paint just before entry into traffic, 16/3/13. Chris Moxon |
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56121 being hauled into position on static display at Bury, 16/3/13. Martin Clark |
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56121 under restoration in Buckley Wells shed, 7/2/09. Chris Moxon |
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56121 under restoration in Buckley Wells shed, 7/2/09. Chris Moxon |
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56121 undergoing restoration after asbestos stripping at Bury Bolton Street, 1/9/97. Stuart Mackay |
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56121 at Bury. One of the first tasks there was the asbestos removal, 13/7/97 Robert Chilton |
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56121 & 51485 stabled at Minehead, 1/10/95. Andy Cole |
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56121 at Minehead, 18/8/91. Robert Chilton |
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56121 at Williton, 18/8/91. Robert Chilton |
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56121/51485 at Williton, 28/7/91. Mervyn Turvey |
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Arriving at the delightful Crowcombe station, West Somerset Railway on a Sunday, Cravens set (56121+51485) leads Gloucester (56099+50341) on the 6.10pm Minehead-Bishops Lydeard, 21/7/91. Mel Holley |
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56121 looking a bit smarter at Minehead, 1990. Robert Chilton Collection |
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At Minhead with 51485, July 1990. Ian Francis |
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Bishops Lydeard on the West Somerset Railway and 56121 & 51485 enter the platform, 8/6/86. David Underwood |
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56121 crosses 50414 at Blue Anchor, 8/6/86. David Underwood |
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56121/51485 stabled alongside a Class 103 set at Minehead. Nigel Gould |
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56121 & 51485 stand at Bishop's Lydeard during the 1980's. Brian King |
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56121 stabled at Minehead, West Somerset Railway. Simon Jones |
Interior
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The completed first class saloon, 18/8/17. Bury Unit Team |
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Project leader Graham Thornton fits first class seat frames, 9/8/17. Bury Unit Team |
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56121's first class saloon, seen at Bury on public display for the first time in over 10 years. This area is complete except the fitting of the seats, 16/3/13. Chris Moxon |
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56121's middle saloon, seen at Bury on public display for the first time in over 10 years. This area is now complete, 16/3/13. Chris Moxon |
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56121's drivers cab (driver's side), 7/2/09. Chris Moxon |
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56121's drivers cab (secondman's side), 7/2/09. Chris Moxon |
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56121's first class saloon under restoration, 7/2/09. Chris Moxon |
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56121's middle saloon under restoration, 7/2/09. Chris Moxon |
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Seating in 56121's middle saloon, 7/2/09. Chris Moxon |
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Seating in 56121's middle saloon, 7/2/09. Chris Moxon |
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56121's rear saloon under restoration, 7/2/09. Chris Moxon |
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View of 56121's cab at Bury. One of the first tasks there was the asbestos removal, 13/7/97 Robert Chilton |