59509 Class 117 Trailer Composite Lavatory

Home Railway	Wensleydale Railway	Location History	Wensleydale Railway Dec 04-Present
Current Location	Wensleydale Railway
Current Status	Stored
Current Livery	BR Blue & Grey
TRA Designation	4
Partner Vehicle(s)	51400
Owner	Wensleydale Railway PLC
Website	None
Record Last Updated	1 August 2022
Preservation Modifications Over half of the doors have been sealed shut to reduce maintenance. The interior of the second class saloon has been modified with several seats being removed and some 3-seats replaced with 2-seat examples to create space. At the end closest to the centre of the vehicle, a buffet counter has been added. The modifications have reduced the vehicle's seating capacity from 48 (as preserved) down to 33. The first class remains comparatively intact retaining seating for 22.
Preservation Information 59509 was latterly used in Class 117 3-car set 117308 in Scotland. It was preserved at the Wensleydale Railway and entered service quickly, its Scotrail/Regional Railways livery nicely matching that of the line’s Class 101 set, 50746/51210. 59509 was most commonly running as a 101/117 hybrid 3-car with 50746 & 51210. However due to maintenance sets were noted as often being reformed. 59509 was repainted in 2006 into a non standard blue & cream scheme. In 2010, the vehicle saw use in the summer as a loco hauled 4-car set with 51813, 59500 & 50746. In 2011, the south facing side of the vehicle was repainted into BR Blue. In 2012, 59509 was in use between the two Class 110 powercars 51813 & 51842, but was later formed into a 3-car Class 101/117 set with 51210 & 51400. By 2014, the vehicle had been removed from service for repairs. By the end of that year, 59509 had received a repaint into Blue & Grey livery, becoming the only operational Class 117to carry the colour scheme. 59509 was released back into regular traffic for the 2015 season, working as a 3-car set with Class101/11751210 & 51400. The 101 later fell out of service with 59509 still being used on busier days in between Class 117 & 121 cars in a hybrid set. In 2019 partner 51400 was also withdrawn for repairs and around the same time the Class 121 hit a tree forcing its withdrawal. This left 59509 with not enough powercars to run with so it was also stored out of service.
Future Plans To return to service if enough first generation powercars can be ressurrected to run with it.

	59509 & 51400 were being used for the 2019 season as loco hauled stock following the withdrawal of Class 101 51210. The pair are seen at Leeming Bar shortly before forming a service to Redmire, 10/3/19. Chris Moxon

	59509 in service at Leeming Bar, 30/12/14. Brian Battersby

	W59509 stabled at Leeming Bar, 8/6/14. Zoe Hunter

	59509 in service at Leeming Bar, 6/8/13. Bill Pugsley

	59509 at Leyburn, in use as loco hauled stock, 28/8/10. Dan Froggatt

	59509 at Leeming Bar, in use as loco hauled stock, 21/8/10. Chris Moxon

	View of 59509's number, 21/8/10. Chris Moxon

Interior

	The de-classified first class saloon in 59509, which has been converted into a buffet area, 21/8/10. Chris Moxon

	The de-classified first class saloon in 59509, which has been converted into a buffet area, 21/8/10. Chris Moxon

	The second class saloon, 21/8/10. Chris Moxon