59520 Class 117 Trailer Composite Lavatory

Home Railway	Mid Norfolk Railway	Location History	Private Site: MOD Long Marston 96-Oct 01
Current Location	Mid Norfolk Railway		Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway Oct 01-Jun 10
Current Status	Stored		Dartmoor Railway Jun 10-May 22
Current Livery	BR Green		Mid Norfolk Railway Sep 22-Present
TRA Designation	4
Partner Vehicle(s)	51370 & 51412	Visited Railways	Private Site: Henstridge (storage) May 22-Sep 22
Owner	Paul Hughes
Website	facebook.com/groups/1582178358535120
Record Last Updated	1 October 2022
Preservation Modifications None
Preservation Information After withdrawal from passenger service in December 1995, 59520 was preserved the following year by Alan and Tracey Lear who stored the vehicle at the MOD’s Long Marston site, intended for the future Stratford & Broadway Railway scheme. In 2001, with no progress having been made, 59520 vehicle was sold to John Down and moved to the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway, where it was planned to be restored to operational condition to create a 3-car set with powercars 51351 & 51397. However a change in priorities resulted in 59520 being sold to a member of the Dartmoor Railway in 2010. 59520 was soon repainted into green and quickly entered service, remarkably carrying passengers for the first time in some 15 years. It was used at the Dartmoor as a vacuum braked loco hauled coach and was seen as useful for any trains hauled by visiting steam locomotives. In February 2013 59520 was moved undercover for the railway's volunteer carriage group to make some bodywork repairs and repaint the vehicle. By the following month the vehicle had reached the undercoat stage. Later in the year, the repaint was completed and the vehicle entered service as hauled stock. Events concerning the Dartmoor Railway were to later take a turn for the worse, with the railway generally going in decline. Services became sporadic with long periods of suspension and most rolling stock based on the railway fell into disuse, the periods in store doing nothing for the collection based there. 59520 was no exception and declined in condition following vandalism and periods in open store at Meldon Quarry. 59520's status in service was therefore sadly stopped again after a remarkably short period. Following the return of the railway to the national network, all remaining stock was disbanded and in May 2022 59520 was sold to new owners and removed from Dartmoor temporarily to a private site for storage. Following problems with the transportation company, 59520 finally arrived at its new home at the Mid Norfolk Railway in the autumn of that year. The vehicle was quickly cleaned inside with the effects of the vandalism at Dartmoor removed, and a tarpaulin fitted to the exterior to try and slow further deterioration. 59520 is currently in storage as its restoration back to passenger carrying condition will sadly have to wait until the owning group's powercar restorations (51412 & 51370) have been completed. However the future is much brighter as for the first time in its preserved history, 59520 is owned by a active railcar group regularly engaged in thorough restoration activity.
Future Plans 59520 is currently third in a restoration queue. Once powercars 51412 (currently the focus of attention) and 51370 (next in line) have been returned to service, then 59520 will receive full restoration back to service. It is eventually planned for 59520 to be outshopped in 1970's Rail Blue condition, with a buffet conversion built into the interior.

	59520 shortly after arriving at Dereham, Mid Norfolk Railway, having been recently sold to its fifth owner, 18/9/22. Michael Hughes

	59520 arriving by road into Dereham yard, 9/9/22. Michael Hughes

	59520 stabled at Meldon, 25/8/13. Amy Adams

	59520 stored at Blaenavon, 2/7/05. Stuart Mackay

Interior

	The main second class saloon at Dereham following a full clear out to reverse some of the effects of the vandalism sustained at Meldon Quarry. The vehicle was sheeted over soon after, 18/9/22. Michael Hughes

	The small second class saloon at Dereham following a full clear out to reverse some of the effects of the vandalism sustained at Meldon Quarry. The vehicle was sheeted over soon after, 18/9/22. Michael Hughes

	The main first class saloon at Dereham following a full clear out to reverse some of the effects of the vandalism sustained at Meldon Quarry. The vehicle was sheeted over soon after, 18/9/22. Michael Hughes

	The small first class saloon at Meldon Quarry during a viewing which would later see the vehicle sold to a new owner. The effects ofvandalism over the past few years is clear, 2022. Michael Hughes

	The main first class saloon at Meldon Quarry during a viewing which would later see the vehicle sold to a new owner. The effects ofvandalism over the past few years is clear, 2022. Michael Hughes

	The main second class saloon at Meldon Quarry during a viewing which would later see the vehicle sold to a new owner, 2022. Michael Hughes