56301 Class 100 Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory
Home Railway |
Location History |
Chasewater Railway Jun 73-Oct 93 |
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Current Location |
Mid Norfolk Railway (County School) |
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Mid Norfolk Railway Nov 96-Aug 99 |
Current Status |
Static Display |
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Mid Norfolk Railway (County School) Aug 99-Present |
TRA Designation |
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Current Livery |
BR Green (Speed Whiskers) |
Visited Railways |
Sellafield Uranium Fuel Centre (Storage) Oct 93-95 |
Partner Vehicle(s) |
None |
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King's Lynn Sugar Factory (Storage) 95-Nov 96 |
Owner |
Mid Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust |
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Website |
None |
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Record Last Updated |
1 February 2024 |
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Preservation Modifications |
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Preservation Information By 1993 56301 was surplus to requirements and began a three year journey to the Mid Norfolk Railway where it moved between several storage sites & several owners whilst continuing to deteriorate in condition. In 1996 it was thoroughly cleaned ready for proposed use by the National Diesel Railcar Museum project, which later collapsed. Having been threatened with scrapping several times it was eventually sold the Mid Norfolk Preservation trust in 1999 and moved to their northern outpost, County School, which was cut off from the rest of the line. After arriving at County School 56301 received cosmetic attention and the interior was restored with a seating area and exhibition in the rear saloon. In 2011, 56301 was declared contaminated by an asbestos inspector, the interior being designated a no-go zone to both the public and restoration volunteers. This trigged a period of encapulation and bodywork restoration to make the vehicle useful as a static vehicle once again. The bodywork started with the replacement of rotten material on the cab front end. During 2012, 56301 was transformed on the secondman's side with the application of a coat of green paint, concluding the bodywork repairs which had been undertaken on that side. Work on the cab front also continued over that year. 2013 saw similar work undertaken on the driver's side of the vehicle. Work on the cab front also continued over that year. The interior was also stripped of its seats, the heater ducting repainted and carpets fitted to the second class saloons. In 2014 the refresh work was completed on the No1 side which emerged in green to match the No2 side, and the following year the exterior refresh was completed with the conclusion of work on the cab and corridor ends, making 56301 a presentable static display vehicle once again. A rather strange non-standard route indicator was fitted to the front end during 2016. In 2023 & 2024 further conservation work was undertaken to 56301 to maintain the vehicle's external cosmetic appearance for further display. 56301 remains maintained as a static display and functioning area. It is thought the vehicle has not operated with passengers since its early Chasewater days (as hauled stock) and has not operated as a conventional DMU for almost 50 years! |
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Future Plans Long term, the electrics and control systems need to be restored if the vehicle is to eventually go back into full service. |