56270 Class 108 Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory
Home Railway |
Location History |
Pontypool & Blaenavon RailwayJun 94-Oct 14 |
|
Current Location |
|
Mid Norfolk RailwayOct 14-Present |
|
Current Status |
Stored |
|
|
Current Livery |
BR Blue & Grey |
|
|
TRA Designation |
|||
Partner Vehicle(s) |
|
|
|
Owner |
Brian Smith |
|
|
Website |
|||
Record Last Updated |
13 January 2024 |
||
Preservation Modifications |
|||
Preservation Information A remarkable 20 year period followed with 56270 remaining in storage, albeit relatively complete, awaiting its turn in the Gwent 108 Group's restoration queue. In January 2014, it was decided that 56270 would not be restored at its current home, so it was put up for sale. In March, a sale was agreed and 56270 moved to its new home at the Mid Norfolk Railway in the October after access issues preventing the vehicle's departure from Pontypool were resolved. Restoration started immediately with interior woodwork being removed from the windows and restored/revarnished. All mechanical linkages were also oiled up and made to operate again. In 2015, all the woodwork from the driver' side was removed for stripping, treating and revarnishing,whilst preparations were made to replace the missing glass on the secondman's side. Unfortunately despite the good start, shortly afterwards the restoration stalled and 56270 was put back into storage again. 56270/51942 eventually were sold on in 2020, to new owners who wished to retain the set at the Mid Norfolk. in July 2020, 56270 was moved out of storage down the line at Thuxton where it had been graffitied, back up to the railway's main headquarters at Dereham where it was assessed by the new owners to plan the vehicle's restoration. Unfortunately for the third time in the vehicle's history, restoration was not forthcoming and 56270 remains in storage. |
|||
Future Plans |
|||
 |
54270 in storage at the extremity of Dereham yard, now almost ten years after it arrived at the railway, 2/12/23. Chris Moxon |
 |
54270, with 51942 visible behind, at Dereham for an assessment to plan the upcoming restoration, although it was expected that 54270 would continue to be stored in the short term. The set had been stored at Thuxton and had been attacked by graffiti artists, 7/20. East Anglian Railcar Group |
 |
54270 stored in the long siding at Thuxton, 5/7/18. Chris Moxon |
 |
54270 at Dereham, with the owner's other vehicle (Class 122 55009) behind, 21/5/16. Chris Moxon |
 |
54270 at Dereham, after the sies had been stripped back to bare aluminium, 21/5/16. Chris Moxon |
 |
54270 shortly after arrival at Dereham, on static display during the Multiple Matters gala, 1/11/14. Chris Moxon |
 |
54270 after being unloaded at its new home the Mid Norfolk Railway, 16/10/14. Derek Orr |
 |
54270 en-route to Norfolk along the A11 on the transporter, 15/10/14. Gary Brezeck |
 |
54270, now without windows, stored, 8/12/12. Peter Dickinson |
 |
54270 in storage at Furness Sidings, 27/8/06. Simon Edwards |
 |
54270 in storage at Furness Sidings, 2/7/05. Stuart Mackay |
 |
54270 in storage at Furness Sidings, 7/7/01. Simon Jones |
Interior
 |
The cab (driver's side) of 54270 prior to restoration, 1/11/14. Chris Moxon |
 |
The cab (secondman's side) of 54270 prior to restoration, 1/11/14. Chris Moxon |
 |
The first class saloon of 54270 prior to restoration, 1/11/14. Chris Moxon |
 |
The middle saloon of 54270 prior to restoration, 1/11/14. Chris Moxon |
 |
The rear saloon of 54270 prior to restoration, 1/11/14. Chris Moxon |
 |
The interior of 54270 on arrival at the Mid Norfolk Railway, 18/10/14. East Anglian Railcar Group |