59507 Class 117 Trailer Second Lavatory (Ex Composite)

Home Railway	Paignton & Dartmouth Railway	Location History	Paignton & Dartmouth Railway Apr 94-Present
Current Location	Paignton & Dartmouth Railway
Current Status	Operational (Hauled Stock)
Current Livery	Non Standard Chocolate & Cream
TRA Designation	4
Partner Vehicle(s)	59003, 59004, 59494, 59503, 59513 & 59517
Owner	Dart Valley Railway plc
Website	None
Record Last Updated	16 April 2023
Preservation Modifications Several preservation modifications have been made to 59507, including the fitting of public address, additional plates to the corridor ends to allow coupling to Mark 1 coaching stock, the replacement of 1st class seating with second (new capacity: 77 second), replacement of seating in one end with an open buggy/luggage area, non authentic upholstery and the fitting of a red carpet. The vehicle carries the name "Anna".
Preservation Information 59507 was preserved in 1994 for the Dart Valley Railway (later Paignton & Dartmouth Railway), who collected a large number of Class 117 centre cars in a short space of time. As DMU suburban vehicles are externally similar to older Great Western loco hauled vehicles, but with much lower maintenance, 59507 was soon put into traffic along with many other suburban centre cars forming a GWR style rake of loco hauled coaching stock. The vehicle was painted in a non authentic GWR chocolate & cream livery to further suit this role. At some point the vehicle was overhauled with the seating being reupholstered, the interior repainted, and a red carpet fitted. 59507 has never operated in preservation as a powered DMU and is part of a fleet of seven Class 116 & 117 vehicles based on the line working all year round carrying passengers on steam services. In April 2013 59507 was repainted. Its importance in the line's day to day operations has ensured the vehicle's wellbeing, and investment has been made to enable the vehicle's continued operation in preservation for several decades now. So it is thought that the future is secure.
Future Plans To maintain in service.

	59507 stabled at Paignton, 5/4/22. David Bellamy

	59507 in service, 12/9/19. Carl Watson

	59507 in service out on the line, 8/18. Anthony Christie

	59507 in service out on the line, 8/18. Anthony Christie

	59507 in service at Kingswear, 23/7/17. Carl Watson

	59507 in traffic at Kingswear during a rare diesel running day, 27/4/14. Chris Moxon

	59507, stabled at Paignton, 3/5/08. Bill Pugsley

	59507 on the Paignton & Dartmouth Railway where it's used as hauled stock, seen here at Kingswear, 17/8/04. Roger Marks

Interior

	The previously first class section of 59507, much modified and now with high density second class seating, 27/4/14. Chris Moxon

	A modified area of 59507, cleared of seating to facilitate the cariage of buggies etc, 27/4/14. Chris Moxon

	The smaller (formerly non smoking) second class section of 59507, 27/4/14. Chris Moxon

	The larger (formerly smoking) second class section of 59507, 27/4/14. Chris Moxon

	59507's interior on the Paignton & Dartmouth Railway where it's used as hauled stock, 17/8/04. Roger Marks