56182 Class 104 Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory

Home Railway

North Norfolk Railway

Location History

Churnet Valley RailwayJun 00-Feb 15

Current Location

North Norfolk Railway

North Norfolk Railway Feb 15-Present

Current Status

Operational

Current Livery

BR Green (Speed Whiskers)

TRA Designation

1

Partner Vehicle(s)

51188

Owner

Chris Moxon & Paul Moxon

Website

www.brcw.co.uk

Record Last Updated

11 November 2023

Preservation Modifications
Being an ex "Sandite" departmental vehicle, several modifications made by BR were present at the start of 56182's major restoration (commencing in 2014). Much of the interior was missing including passenger seating and interior bulkhead, with various extra items added including holes in walls and floors for pipework and a propelling control drivers position located where the corridor connection was. Much electrical equipment associated with the vehicle's driving capability and multiple working had also been removed. All of these modifications were reversed during the restoration, the end result being the vehicle being returned to original unmodified condition. This was made possible using a large number of spare parts from a mix of other scrapped vehicles, some being Class 104's but also vehicles from other classes.

In turn many minor, but often hidden, modifications were made during the restoration to improve maintenence or usability in the future. These include:
-An additional hook on the drivers desk to hang single line token hoops/pouches.
-A dimming switch to reduce the glare during night running of the driver's air/axle panel.
-Fitting of public address wiring/speakers. The speakers were hidden in the ceilings behind the ventilator grills and wired into the multiple working jumpers at the corridor end.
-Part of the dynamo regulator panel separated and mounted remotely inside the passenger saloon, inside a box under one of the seats. This allows adjustment of the dynamo output voltage whilst on the move, saving a lot of time stopping and starting when this job has to be done.
-One of the interior bulkheads has a heater air intake where it shouldn't have. This was because the original bulkhead was missing and the intake fitted one was the only spare available to fit in its place. The intake has been blanked over on the saloon side and a false grill (that leads to nowhere) fitted on the vestibule side.
-An in-built 240V battery charger fitted inside the secondmans battery box. This has an external 240V socket and is wired alongside the original charging system, so the vehicle can still be charged by both a standard railway 24V battery charger, or by plugging directly into the mains. A timer circuit is also included to automatically shut off the battery charger after a set time.
-Modified (smaller) pully fitted to the dynamo. This modification makes the dymano start charging the batteries at a lower-than-normal speed, and also spins the dynamo faster at 25mph than would normally be the case.

Preservation Information
56182 is the only surviving Class 104 driving trailer car, and was the last Class 104 remaining on the national network. It survived in use (in store from 1992) at Buxton, converted into a Sandite vehicle in 1987, consequently none of the seating survived, two interior bulkheads were cut away to allow the fitting of Sandite tanks and a propelling control drivers position was fitted in place of the corridor connection.

However the extended life which the departmental role gave the vehicle allowed it to eventually be preserved, joining the other 12 Class 104 vehicles which were saved in 1992. It was prepared in 1998 for a move to Barrow Hill Roundhouse, a proposal which later fell through.

In 2000 however, the vehicle was finally moved to the Churnet Valley Railway, having to be craned out from Buxton TMD onto the road transporter as the rail connection to the depot had been removed!

56182 had to integrate with a 104 restoration plan formulated in the mid 1990’s in which the vehicle played no part. It therefore “joined the queue”, taking its place in storage at Oakamoor Sand Sidings, while the restorations of 50455 & 50517 were completed.

As 56182 was in better condition than the DMCL for the Churnet Valley’s second 104 set, 50437 & 50494, 56182 was earmarked for restoration alongside 50437 to provide a second 2-car set, which would have been fitting as the pair had operated together for a period during BR days. However after completion of 50455/50517’s restoration, the Churnet Valley requested a quick capacity boost as the 2-car set was not providing enough seats for busier events. This led to TCL 59137 (a vehicle in much poorer condition than the others) jumping the restoration queue due to its operational appeal in creating a 3-car set. 56182 therefore remained in storage.

In November 2004, 56182 was sheeted over to offer some protection from the Staffordshire winters.

In July 2008, the vehicle was dragged out of storage and unsheeted, and was treated to a 2 month “fast-track” external restoration which included a brush up and a coat of BR Blue. The mechanics of the vehicle were also serviced to a standard where it was capable of being operated as a hauled Sandite coach again with a diesel loco. In September, the vehicle was resplendent alongside 37075, and recreated the Buxton Sandite trains at the Scenic Railcar Weekend. After the event, 56182 returned to storage.

In October 2012, 56182 was attacked by metal theives whilst in storage. Many "removable" items from the exterior were forcably detached and stolen. This triggered some essential work to resecure the vehicle, with remaining parts which were relatively easy to remove on the outside being taken from the vehicle and transferred to a more secure location. The vehicle was then resheeted with replacement tarpaulins and returned to store.

During 2013 the vehicle suffered further attacks with all the cabling underneath the vehicle being stolen and several windows were also broken when thieves forced entry.

January 2014 was an important milestone in 56182's history, with the announcement that its full restoration to original condition was to commence. That same month saw the interior woodwork from the sides of the passenger saloons stripped out for restoration off site in Norfolk. Subsequent months saw these components stripped of old varnish, sanded, revarnished and then stored awaiting refitting later in the restoration. The first of these were completed in July. July also saw electrical and cosmetic restoration of the cab components start, this work continuing until the end of the year.

In February 2015, agreement was reached to progress the restoration of 56182 at the North Norfolk Railway and operate it there once completed. The vehicle was duly relocated from the Churnet Valley that month. Due to a lack of siding space at the North Norfolk Railway's main workshops at Weybourne, 56182 was immediately put inside Bridge Road carriage shed at Holt and work on the interior components continued. Most of the fibreglass panels which form the interior of the cab were restored during this period, along with many air and electrical components removed from the cab desk. The four wooden interior sliding doors and many toilet fittings also received attention. During November, capacity in the yard at Weybourne became available and 56182 was accommodated next to the Carriage & Wagon workshops where work on the vehicle itself could begin.

The early part of 2016 saw the refurbishment of the six exterior doors undertaken, which were then stored in component form ready for reassembly. The spring saw a break from 56182 itself whilst a restoration tent was built around the front third of the vehicle. This allowed the commencement of the bodywork repairs and the First Class saloon was repaired during the early summer. The autumn saw bodywork concentrate on the cab front, which had most of its framework renewed during this period. The panelwork was unable to be finished however as issues were encountered obtaining replacement laser cut panels. Significant corrosion was found under the cab floor so this all had to be ripped out and replaced during the winter.

Into 2017, the first task was serious repairs/rebuilding of damaged roof domes and cab ceilings, both of which were made from fibreglass. These alone took until May to complete! During the year, the seating was repaired and reupholstered, which was done prematurely as advantageous terms of payment were available at that particular time with the upholsterers. The upholstered seating was stored to await its time to shine! By the autumn, the roof above the first class area of the vehicle had been stripped back to bare metal, original roof vents reinstated and then repainted. The gutters were also cleaned out and repainted. During the winter months, all of the wooden retaining bars that hold the glass into the first class saloon were stripped, repaired and revarnished. Also restored were the aluminium window frames from the same saloon and the sliding lights. The two ceiling panels from the first class saloon were repanelled, framework repaired and then repainted ready to refit.

In 2018, the first task was serious repairs of the cab-to-passenger-saloon bulkheads which had suffered from water ingress. This involved veneer splicing amongst other skills followed by heavy sanding and the more usual repairs and revarnishing. Other components restored in the spring included the dynamo, horns and the six exterior bodyside door skins which were remounted on their frames and painted. The remainder of the year was spent stripping down the vehicle's frames and equipment between the two bogies and repainting.

2019 saw work start reassembling the first class saloon interior. The rebuilt bulkheads were returned into position, the section glazed and the interior refit progressed. Insulation, ceilings, new wall panelling and all associated woodwork and fittings were returned into place. During the summer more underframe equipment was returned to the vehicle post restoration including the battery boxes, vacuum tanks, and fuel tank. The final part of the year saw a big push getting the exterior of the cab end and first class area complete. This included sanding, filling and repainting work, the replacement of all metalwork on the cab front skin, reinstallation of the cab doors, glazing of the cab front and refitting of the fibreglass outer roof dome. The target was to get the front 1/3rd of the vehicle watertight and moved out of the restoration tent before the year was out, which was achieved with just days to spare!

2020 was to prove an extremely strange year, in which 56182 profited massively. An eight month period of furlough for the restoration's team leader allowed full time restoration to progress for the first time, after the initial "lockdown" period of the Covid-19 pandemic had passed. This allowed an estimated two years worth of restoration to be completed in just a few months. The three main areas of attention were the cab, middle passenger saloon and underframe. The cab was almost completely fitted out to completion, with the fibreglass ceiling and wall panelling being restored and fitted, following which reconstruction of the desk allowed all the drivers instruments and controls to be fitted out. The wiring up of the cab kick-started the long-awaited rewire of the vehicle. This was originally to be done in many stages, but the opportunity was taken to continue and progress the heater, power supply, underframe and multiple working wiring in one go. By December the entire vehicle had been completed, at long last reversing the devastating effects of the copper thieving ten years earlier. Meanwhile the middle passenger saloon received all of its replacement metalwork, both skin and framework, where required. Missing rear bulkheads were returned to place and all the bulkheads in that area restored. The ceilings were also dropped, renewed, refitted and populated with the required fittings (lights, grills etc). The original plywood floor was removed and completely replaced after being found to be more rotten than first thought. The year of advanced progress was brought nicely to a close with a period inside the railway's main shed, where 56182 was lifted for the first time in preservation allowing the bogies to be rolled out to give access for the areas of underframe above them to be needle gunned to bare metal and fully repainted (the underframe between the bogies had been so treated back in 2018). This was achieved at the same time as the rewire allowing the trunking and various pipes to be painted, colour coded. The announcement of a second national lockdown in November further extended M56182's stay inside the shed, as the railway had little use for that particular spot with so many staff and volunteers not present on site.

The increased progress rate (and shed space) continued into 2021. Progress was so swift that the previous mantra of undertaking 56182's restoration in three distinct phases was collapsed and instead the renewed aim was to bring the whole vehicle to the same level as the front end. The previous exterior bodywork on the middle saloon was repeated for the rear section and the remaining 2/3rds was grit-blasted (in July), sanded, filled and repainted into gloss green to match the front third. The two bogies were fully stripped down, overhauled and repainted which included tyre turning and replacement coil springs on the front bogie. Internally, the rear saloon (previously untouched) was completely stripped out allowing for the middle and rear saloons to receive replacement flooring. The inside of the rear saloon was cleaned up, repainted and insulated. By the autumn the space in the shed was coming to an end so window glass and the remaining doors were swiftly refitted allowing the vehicle to return outside in the October.

Early 2022 saw many of the last removed interior components restored inside the shed during the colder months. A salvaged corridor connection from a Class 101 was also stripped down, rebushed and repainted ready for reuse. Work continued on the interior with the second class veneered wall panelling and window surrounds being fitted along with the rear saloon ceilings and light fittings. Mechanical work continued with a new set of batteries being fitted and the air and vacuum system completed.

In March 2022 a milestone was reached when the restoration had advanced to the stage where 56182 undertook its first test runs paired with Class 101 51188, the intended future partner for 56182. The rest of the year saw the interior reconstruction of the toilet brought to completion, which became the very first area of the interior ready to receive passengers. Other paneling work in the vestibules was completed with new veneered wooden door cards being fitted to the internal faces of the doors.

2023 would prove to be the final restoration year and the last push to completion. Externally the route indicator box and footboards were fitted anlong with new pipework for the fuel tank and heaters. A final coat of varnish was applied to the interior and then the lino flooring and carpets were laid. With flooring down, all of the components which fix to the floor which had been waiting in storage were all fitted into place including sliding doors, heater duct covers and of course the passenger seating. It was an exciting time with new components seemingly being fitted into place weekly. There was a myriad of smaller items, too many to list individually, fitted and tested to bring the vehicle to a state of mature assembly. By July the mechanics and interior were all but complete and 56182 was moved back into the railway's main sheds for the final time in order to apply the final coats of gloss varnish and of course lining and lettering.

56182 was launched into passenger service in September 2023 at a dedicated event at the NNR. A ceremony was conducted in the morning with speeches from the restoration team and Managing Director of the railway. A bottle of champagne was smashed over the buffers to launch the vehicle into service and a private charter down the line for supporters followed. At the other end, 56182 cut through a ribbon on arrival and various photographs were taken along with more drinks and of course cake! On return to the other end of the line further trips were made, the first runs with paying passengers in over 35 years. The remainder of the day saw the set haul a tail load for the first time in the railway's history and the final (daytime) trip was a simulated diesel hauled "drag". Evening trains then operated including a Fish & Chip special and several station stops where dusk and after-dark photographs were taken. Modest media covereage was enjoyed and 56182 had well and truly been celebrated back into service!

56182 then very quickly entered regular passenger service on the railway's ordinary DMU services, paired with partner Class 101 DMBS 51188. 56182 ran for total of 1, 513 miles in its first year.

56182 & 51188 now regularly operate services on the line as one of two operational sets.

Future Plans
To maintain 56182 to a good operational standard seeing regular use at the North Norfolk Railway. It will operate with Class 101 powercars, preferably 51188.

In five to ten years time, it is the owning group's aspiration for 56182 to be paired with its long term intended partner Class 104 DMBS 50479, which will recreate the original (matching 104) 2-car formation as delivered in 1958.

M56182/M51188 stand at Sheringham at the end of the night having run several round trips after dark as part of a Fish & Chip special for M56182's launch day, 9/9/23. Michael Wells

M56182/M51188 arrive into Sheringham hauling the very first tail load in the NNR's history. The occasion was M56182's launch day, 9/9/23. Leigh Caudwell

M56182 stands at Sheringham with an assembled crowd that had turned out to participate in the vehicle's launch day celebrations, 9/9/23. Leigh Caudwell

M56182 at Sheringham with its core restoration team alongside, 9/9/23. Leigh Caudwell

M56182 breaks a ribbon arriving at Sheringham in service on its very first passenger trip in preservation, 9/9/23. Leigh Caudwell

Restoration Project Manager Chris Moxon breaks a bottle of champagne over M56182's buffer at Holt at the start of the vehicle's launch day celebrations, 9/9/23. Leigh Caudwell

M56182 in Weybourne yard on the morning of its launch into service, 9/9/23. Kevin Dowd

M56182 near Kelling Heath halt whilst operating its final proving runs before entering service. The occasion was also used as an official photo charter for supporters and a means to obtain some publicity material prior to the official launch day, 25/8/23. Chris Moxon

M56182 at Windpump Crossing whilst operating its final proving runs before entering service. The occasion was also used as an official photo charter for supporters and a means to obtain some publicity material prior to the official launch day, 25/8/23. Chris Moxon

M56182 at Deadmans Bridge whilst operating its final proving runs before entering service. The occasion was also used as an official photo charter for supporters and a means to obtain some publicity material prior to the official launch day, 25/8/23. Chris Moxon

M56182 near Deadmans Cutting whilst operating its final proving runs before entering service. The occasion was also used as an official photo charter for supporters and a means to obtain some publicity material prior to the official launch day, 25/8/23. Chris Moxon

M56182 near Deadmans Cutting whilst operating its final proving runs before entering service. The occasion was also used as an official photo charter for supporters and a means to obtain some publicity material prior to the official launch day, 25/8/23. Chris Moxon

M56182 near Bridge 303 whilst operating its final proving runs before entering service. The occasion was also used as an official photo charter for supporters and a means to obtain some publicity material prior to the official launch day, 25/8/23. Chris Moxon

M56182 near Bridge 303 whilst operating its final proving runs before entering service. The occasion was also used as an official photo charter for supporters and a means to obtain some publicity material prior to the official launch day, 25/8/23. Chris Moxon

M56182 at Priory Crossing whilst operating its final proving runs before entering service. The occasion was also used as an official photo charter for supporters and a means to obtain some publicity material prior to the official launch day, 25/8/23. Chris Moxon

M56182 proudly posed on the line between Sheringham and Weybourne during its very first test run along the NNR, the first time the vehicle had operated as a DMU in 35 years. Class 101 powercar M51188 is providing the power, 11/3/22. Chris Moxon

An all-green M56182, after exiting the main sheds at Weybourne, 5/10/21. Chris Moxon

Grit-blasting of the rear 2/3rds of the vehicle, 1/7/21. Chris Moxon

The overhauled bogies for M56182 being refitted under the lifted vehicle inside Weybourne Works, 28/5/21. Chris Moxon

M56182 posed for photographs in Weybourne yard, to celebrate the completion of the first 1/3rd of the exterior restoration, 30/12/19. Chris Moxon

M56182 posed for photographs in Weybourne yard, to celebrate the completion of the first 1/3rd of the exterior restoration, 30/12/19. Chris Moxon

The cab front having been body prepped and primed, 2/11/19. Chris Moxon

The cab front with a full compliment of steel once again, 27/10/19. Chris Moxon

Brand new laser cut cab front sheets being welded into place on the cab front, 27/9/19. Chris Moxon

The secondmans side of the first class bodyside, brought up to the undercoat stage, 8/9/19. Chris Moxon

Bodywork complete, a smooth finish on M56182's first class saloon on the drivers side, 25/8/19. Chris Moxon

56182's front third sees daylight for the first time in two years, whilst its restoration tent (which had started leaking) was rebuilt, 12/5/18. Chris Moxon

56182's front third sees daylight for the first time in two years, whilst its restoration tent (which had started leaking) was rebuilt, 12/5/18. Chris Moxon

The roof above the first class area stripped and repainted, 2/9/17. Chris Moxon

Bodywork repairs progressing along the No2 side, 28/5/16. Chris Moxon

56182 dissapearing inside a tent-like structure erected to aid its restoration, 17/4/16. Chris Moxon

Access to the vehicle has been created through a temporary door put in place of the corridor connection (removed and plated over in 1987) after adjusting the tarpaulin to reveal the end, 29/11/15. Chris Moxon

During November, capacity in the yard at Weybourne became available and ADB977554 (M56182) was accommodated where work on the vehicle itself could begin. It is seen here being shunted in the yard, 8/11/15. Chris Moxon

Due to a lack of siding space at the North Norfolk Railway's main workshops at Weybourne, ADB977554 (M56182) was immediately put inside Bridge Road carriage shed at Holt after arriving at the railway, 9/8/15. Chris Moxon

ADB977554 (ex M56182) on a Reid Transport low loader, climbing out of Kingsley, on its journey from the Churnet Valley eastwards to the North Norfolk, 4/2/15. Chris Moxon

ADB977554 at Cheddleton being resheeted, the original tarpaulins having been stolen in order to carry further stolen materials off site! 24/10/12. Chris Moxon

ADB977554 at Oakamoor after being vandalised, 24/2/12. Chris Moxon

ADB977554 stored at Oakamoor, 13/11/10. Q47541M

ADB977554 awaiting its turn for restoration at Oakamoor, 10/10/09. Chris Moxon

ADB977554 arrives into Consall in the early morning during the Scenic Rauilcar Weekend where the vehicle was operating demonstration Sandite trains with 37075, 27/9/08. Chris Moxon

ADB977554 arrives into Consall in the early morning during the Scenic Railcar Weekend where the vehicle was operating demonstration Sandite trains with 37075, 27/9/08. Chris Moxon

ADB977554 stands at Cheddleton during the Scenic Rauilcar Weekend where the vehicle was operating demonstration Sandite trains with 37075, 27/9/08. Chris Moxon

ADB977554 stands at Cheddleton during the Scenic Rauilcar Weekend where the vehicle was operating demonstration Sandite trains with 37075, 27/9/08. Chris Moxon

ADB977554 stands at Cheddleton during the Scenic Rauilcar Weekend where the vehicle was operating demonstration Sandite trains with 37075, 27/9/08. Chris Moxon

A view of the converted propelling end of ADB977554 at Cheddleton during the Scenic Rauilcar Weekend where the vehicle was operating demonstration Sandite trains with 37075, 27/9/08. Chris Moxon

A view of the converted propelling end of ADB977554 at Froghall during the Scenic Rauilcar Weekend where the vehicle was operating demonstration Sandite trains with 37075, 27/9/08. Chris Moxon

ADB977554 passes Consall Wood during the Scenic Rauilcar Weekend where the vehicle was operating demonstration Sandite trains with 37075, 27/9/08. Chris Moxon

ADB977554 passes Bolton's Works during the Scenic Rauilcar Weekend where the vehicle was operating demonstration Sandite trains with 37075, 27/9/08. Chris Moxon

ADB977554 during a mini night shoot at Cheddleton, 27/9/08. Chris Moxon

A view of ADB977554's numbers/Sandite branding, 27/9/08. Chris Moxon

ADB977554 at Oakamoor during a 2 month “fast-track” external restoration which included a brush up and a coat of BR Blue. The mechanics of the vehicle were also serviced to a standard where it was capable of being operated as a hauled Sandite coach again with a diesel loco, 27/7/08. Chris Moxon

ADB977554 at Oakamoor during a 2 month “fast-track” external restoration which included a brush up and a coat of BR Blue. The mechanics of the vehicle were also serviced to a standard where it was capable of being operated as a hauled Sandite coach again with a diesel loco, 27/7/08. Chris Moxon

ADB977554, now sheeted over, awaiting its turn for restoration at Oakamoor, 13/7/08. Chris Moxon

ADB977554 makes a rare (its first) appearance at Cheddleton where it was put on display for the 2007 Scenic Railcar Weekend and Annual Railcar Convention, 28/9/07. Chris Moxon

ADB977554 in store at Buxton shortly before the move into preservation, 1999. Paul Moxon

The rear saloon bodyside, restored and insulated, 12/6/21. Chris Moxon

The rebuilt cab, with just a few items left to complete the area, 11/10/20. Chris Moxon

With the restoration of the First Class saloon nearing completion, the middle saloon is seen during its strip down for similar repairs, 16/1/20. Chris Moxon

Ceilings, beading, lights, luggage rack backs, wall panels, wooden window surrounds and heater ducting all fitted to the first class saloon, 14/4/19. Chris Moxon

The first class saloon fully insulated, 2/2/19. Chris Moxon

Freshly restored first class bulkheads, 4/2/18. Chris Moxon

The renewed cab floor now in place, 20/1/17. Chris Moxon

The cab floor having been removed and corrosion dealt with. Components are now being restored following which the floor can be refitted, 12/1/17. Chris Moxon

The first class and cab areas during the early stages of their restoration, 25/6/16. Chris Moxon

The cab desk after most remaining components had been stripped out and the fibreglass interior panels removed for restoration, 15/11/15. Chris Moxon

ADB977554's cab (drivers side). Note how miost of the contriols were removed for departmental use, 27/7/08. Chris Moxon

ADB977554's cab (secondmans side). Note how miost of the contriols were removed for departmental use, 27/7/08. Chris Moxon

ADB977554's first class saloon. Some 108 seating was installed, presumably for Sandite operators' use, 27/7/08. Chris Moxon

ADB977554's middle saloon. You can see the two bulkheads separtaing the middle and rear saloons had been cut away for the Sandite equipment, 27/7/08. Chris Moxon

ADB977554's rear saloon. The steel frame on the left and tank on the right are the remains of the Sandite equipment, most of which was removed prior to preservation, 27/7/08. Chris Moxon

A view of some of ADB977554's departmental modifications. The vehicle was required to be propelled in both directions, so the corridor connection was removed and a lookout's seat installed, complete with (rather overengineered!) desk and vacuum valve, 27/7/08. Chris Moxon