59505 Class 117 Trailer Composite Lavatory

Home Railway	Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway	Location History	West Somerset Railway Mar 01-Jan 07
Current Location	Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway		Private Site: MOD Long Marston Jan 07-Apr 19
Current Status	Stored		Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway Apr 19-Present
Current Livery	Non Standard Chocolate & Cream/ BR Green
TRA Designation	4
Partner Vehicle(s)	None
Owner	Cotswold Diesel Railcar Ltd
Website	www.gwsr-dmu.co.uk
Record Last Updated	16 November 2024
Preservation Modifications The vehicle is modified as required for a number of MOD exercises.
Preservation Information 59505 was latterly part of Class 117 set 117301, and was withdrawn after final mainline use in Scotland. After a period in storage at Shoeburyness, it was purchased by the Territorial Army where it joined powercars 51352 & 51376from set 117311 and moved to the West Somerset Railway where they were intended to provide overhaul and maintenance experience for the 275 Railway Squadron. Whilst at the West Somerset Railway 59505 was returned to passenger carrying condition. It was then split from its powercars and repainted into Chocolate & Cream to work in loco hauled services on theWest Somerset Railway. In 2007 the set was re-formed into 51352,59505 & 51376 and relocated to the MOD’s site at Long Marston. Whilst at Long Marston 59505 continued to provide use as a training vehicle for 275 Railway Squadron. It received some modifications such as what appeared to be visual monitoring equipment for such exercises. 59505 was used for public passenger rides on a handful of occasions in the following years during Long Marston charity open days. By the 2010's however it was confirmed that 59505 was no longer in use and was stored on the site with an unknown future. In April 2019 the vehicle was puchased by Cotswold Diesel Railcar Ltd and quickly moved to their base at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. It was further stored for around 12 months before a start was made on its interior restoration. Water damaged bulkheads, wall panels and ceilings were removed for replacement, at the same time providing the required access for rotten outer steelwork to be replaced. Unfortunately after the pandemic had hit, the plans for 59505, and indeed the whole DMU fleet at the GWSR, changed significantly. As part of a major downsizing, 59505 survived the cull but was now to remain as a stores vehicle and workshop space, rather than be restored. 59505 continues to be regularly used as a workshop, supporting the DMU group's activities.
Future Plans To continue to use 59505 as a static workshop space and stores van.

	The rarely seen non-public side of 59505, at Toddington, 24/10/24. Nigel Benning

	59505 at Toddington having had a holding coat of green gloss applied, 24/4/22. Chris Moxon

	59505 part way through early works to tidy it up for the public. There are sections of three liveries on show along this side: a new coat of BR green (progressing along the bodyside as time permits), some form of non standard green and cream, and finally the remains of the old Chocolate & Cream livery at the top of the far end, 25/9/21. Darren JB

	59505 at Toddington shortly after arrival at its new home, 6/4/19. GWSR DMU Group

	59505, undated but probably in the winter of 2018/2019, in storage at Long Marston shortly before purchase by the Gloucestershire Warwickshire group. GWSR DMU Group

	59505 stabled at Long Marston, 2009. Richard Moxon

	59505 in operation running passenger rides during a Long Marston open day, 7/6/08. David Beardmore

	59505 in operation running passenger rides during a Long Marston open day, 7/6/08. Chris Moxon

Interior

	The interior during a Long Marston open day, 7/6/08. Chris Moxon

	The interior during a Long Marston open day, 7/6/08. Chris Moxon