59511 Class 117 Trailer Composite Lavatory

Home Railway	Strathspey Railway	Location History	Lavender LineJul 94-Mar 05
Current Location	Strathspey Railway		Mid Hants Railway Mar 05-Mar 07
Current Status	Under Restoration		Strathspey Railway Mar 07-Present
Current Livery	Primer
TRA Designation	4
Partner Vehicle(s)
Owner	Blue Square Heritage Group
Website	None
Record Last Updated	1 October 2022
Preservation Modifications None
Preservation Information Little is currently known about 59511’s early preservation career. Withdrawn from British Rail service in September 1995, it is presumed that the vehicle was saved as part of a 3-car set in 1994 with 51342 & 51384. However the two powercars were soon moved on, and it is not known if 59511 ever operated in presrvation with them. 59511 was initially used on the Lavender Line as a locomotive hauled carriage. Whilst there, the railway repainted the vehicle into (non authentic for DMU stock) British Railways Southern Region green livery. Although the exact date is not certain, it is thought that during the early 2000’s the vehicle was transferred to the Mid Hants Railway. Although this railway was operating DMUs at the time, including a Class 117 set, 59511 remained in use as a loco hauled coach. In 2007, surplus to requirements, 59511 was bought by the Blue Square Heritage Group who had been looking for a Class 117 TCL to insert in between their two powercars. 59511 was soon moved to their base at the Strathspey Railway. The vehicle was by now however, in need of some restoration work, so rather than enter service immediately; the group have embarked on a restoration. In early 2011 the vehicle entered the carriage sheds for exterior restoration work, all the welding work in preparation for a repaint was completed before being moved back outside. Restoration on the vehicle slowed during the mid 2010's as work to maintain the group's two powercars took priority, however by 2018 59511 has restarted with the summer being spent undertaking roof repair and repaint work. In 2018/19, contractors were employed to repanel the side walls and ceiling inside 59511. The buffet counter was also installed. Following the Covid pandemic work continued to focus on the interior, with new wall panels being fitted and stained, along with replacement lino flooring. This restoration has been progressing well to date, and continues to be one of the group’s main projects.
Future Plans The future is bright for 59511. It continues to be the main focus of the owning group’s restoration activities, so it is expected to be completed and back in service at some point. It is planned for the vehicle’s exterior restoration to be finished off with a repaint into BR Green livery scheduled, where upon it will take its place between operating set 51367 & 51402, which will return the set to a historically accurate 3-car formation.

	59511 shunted in between powercars 51367 & 51402, shortly before test runs as a 3-car set, 18/10/19. Bob Faulkner

	One of the only times when photography being made more difficult is welcomed, is when a vehicle is moved undercover! 59511, now progressing indoors, at Boat of Garten, 31/3/19. Bob Faulkner

	59511 under restoration at Boat of Garten, 29/7/18. Bob Faulkner

	Roof work has recently been completed to 59511, 23/6/18. Bob Faulkner

	59511 in the platform at Boat of Garten, 6/6/18. Deborah Stokes

	59511's restoration having recently been restarted, with roof work now progressing, 21/4/18. Bob Faulkner

	Restoration work continues at Boat of Garten, 8/13. Bob Faulkner

	59511 under restoration at Boat of Garten. All the welding work in preparation for a repaint has now been completed, 6/11/11. Bob Faulkner

	59511 has been moved into the carriage sheds at the Strahspey Railway for exterior restoration. The vehicle is seen here having now lost much of its British Railways Southern Region green livery in favour of primer! March 2011.Bob Faulkner

	59511 has been moved into the carriage sheds at the Strahspey Railway for exterior restoration. The vehicle is seen here having now lost its British Railways Southern Region green livery in favour of primer! March 2011.Bob Faulkner

	S59511 at Boat of Garten, 2010. Bob Faulkner

	S59511 in the company of Class 107 SC52030 at Boat of Garten, seen shortly after arrival at the Strathspey Railway, May 2007. Bob Faulkner

	S59511 in the company of Class 107 SC52030 at Boat of Garten, seen shortly after arrival at the Strathspey Railway, May 2007. Bob Faulkner

	S59511 sandwiched between 59510 and W55003 in the carriage sidings at Alresford, 1/5/06. Carl Watson

	S59511 sandwiched between 59510 and W55003 in the carriage sidings at Alresford, 1/5/06. Carl Watson

	S59511 in use at Isfield as loco hauled stock, 12/10/03. David Beardmore

	S59511 stabled in the bay at Isfield on the Lavender Line. The coach was being used as loco hauled stock but had limited use as there was no run round facility at the end of the line, which meant a suitable vehicle had to be used with S59511 to facilitate the propelling movement. Chris Moxon

Interior

	Wall staining being undertaken, 10/9/22. Bob Faulkner

	Wall staining being undertaken, 10/9/22. Bob Faulkner

	Wall staining being undertaken, 10/9/22. Bob Faulkner

	New lino flooring fitted to the "buffet saloon" inside 59511, 12/11/21. Bob Faulkner

	Staining being applied to the buffet counter inside 59511, 12/11/21. Bob Faulkner

	Bulkheads and flooring completed inside 59511, 11/19. Bob Faulkner

	Installation of the buffet counter inside 59511, 11/19. Bob Faulkner

	Bulkheads and flooring completed inside 59511, 11/19. Bob Faulkner

	Ceiling and panelwork fitting inside 59511, 7/9/19. Bob Faulkner

	Ceiling and panelwork fitting inside 59511, 7/9/19. Bob Faulkner

	New ceiling panels and wall panelling fitted inside what will be the buffet section, 23/6/19. Blue Square Heritage Group

	The stripped out interior saloon of 59511 during restoration work, 8/13. Bob Faulkner