59575 Class 111 Trailer Second Buffet Lavatory

Home Railway

Great Central Railway

Location History

Keighley & Worth Valley Railway Nov 73-Apr 84

Current Location

Great Central Railway

Manchester Museum of Science & Industry Apr 84-Aug 95

Current Status

Operational

Mid Norfolk Railway 99-Dec 04

Current Livery

BR Green

Midland Railway Butterley Dec 04-Dec 06

TRA Designation

2

Great Central Railway Dec 06-Present

Partner Vehicle(s)

51427 & 50321

Owner

Renaissance Railcars

Visited Railways

MC Metals (asbestos stripping) Aug 95-99

Website

facebook.com/renrailgcr

Private Site Snetterton (storage) 99-99

Record Last Updated

16 April 2023

Preservation Modifications
The original equipment used to provide services to the buffet has been replaced by a less complicated system more suitable for a 21st century heritage railway. The replacement lino is a non original red colour and some seating is repuholstered in routemaster bus moquette!

Preservation Information
59575 was a rare example of a Class 111 buffet, one of only six built for the Eastern Region in 1960. Although officially a Class 111, the vehicle was interchangeable within Class 101 sets and frequently saw use with these vehicles.

The Class 111's did not survive well in preservation, with only 59575 representing the class. The vehicle was initially saved by the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway who ran it as a hauled buffet car on their steam services. They repainted the vehicle into green, with a white stripe being added to the sides in the 1970's. In the early 1980's the stripe was changed to thinner lining.

After a decade of use 59575 was disposed of, moving to the Manchester Museum of Science & Industry in 1984 as a static seating area/buffet. By 1996, having never been used in trains, it was sent to MC Metals for scrap, as its asbestos contamination (by now a serious issue) and deterioration in condition meant restoration would be at a high cost.

However in a turn around in fortune 59575 was saved by Railcar Enterprises, and became one of the very few vehicles to be saved from MC Metals without first being stripped of its asbestos. They moved the vehicle to their base at the Mid Norfolk Railway.

Whilst at the Mid Norfolk Railway 59575 received its much needed asbestos stripping. However as with all vehicles it left the coach as a stripped shell and restoration would have to be considerable. Without the resources at the time the vehicle sat in the "queue" waiting to be rebuilt internally.

When the Railcar Enterprise vehicles moved to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway in 2004, 59575 moved to the Midland Railway Butterley while an application was made to the Heritage Lottery Fund for restoration. This was unfortunately declined and as a result the vehicle was sold to Renaissance Railcars and moved to the Great Central Railway in 2006. Before departure, some contract bodywork was undertaken to the ends of the vehicle, and the gangways reinstated.

Renaissance Railcars started work almost immediately, keen to increase their Class 101 set E51427 & E50321 to 3-cars. The (one of only three in preservation) authentic buffet was also a good reason to see the vehicle returned to traffic. Work focussed mainly on the interior with replacement panels being required. By 2009 most of these and the ceilings and doors had all been returned to the vehicle. The scrapping of a Class 421 Electric Multiple Unit on the line released some funds which were donated to the DMU Group, who chose to use it to furthering the restoration of 59575 at a greater pace.

By 2012 the vehicle was approaching completion, with the paneling completed and new lino laid. The heater ducting had also been installed. The hosting of the annual Railcar Association convention at the GCR in September was an incentive to try and get the vehicle in traffic for the event. Unfortunately the vehicle did not make it into service for the event, but Railcar Association members were treated to a tour of the vehicle where the extensive restoration work was explained.

In May 2013 the vehicle was moved indoors for final bodywork restoration and repainting to be undertaken. The repainting work was finished in August. During this time, damaged control cables were also repaired and brake rigging overhaul work completed.

By August 2014 the vehicle was operating test runs, and 13th September 2014 saw 59575 return to passenger service, the first time it had seen passengers for 30 years and the first time operating as a DMU for 40 years. It became the only authentic DMU buffet car running in preservation, (the other two being either stored or under restoration) and was launched as a 3-car set with fellow Met Camms 50321 & 51427.

From 2014-2019, 59575 ran in 3-car Class 101 formations usually with 50321 & 51427 but often 50266 was in the formation either to allow work to be undertaken on one of the normal powercars or to upgrade to 4-cars at times of high demand.

From May 2019, following the restoration of other vehicles in the Renaissance Railcars fleet, operating sets became more stable with 51427, 59575 & 50321 being the normal formation, often referred to as "the green set".

In 2020, 59575 received a quick repaint in the platform at loughborough, taking advantage of the closed station during Covid-19, which improved its appearance.

59575 continues to operate regularly on the Great Central Railway as part of the Metro Cammell green 3-car set.

Future Plans
To maintain in service.