Class 117 (52 vehicles)

Rather suprisingly these suburban units have survived into preservation in remarkable numbers, and by the 2010's it had become the largest DMU class in preservation with over 50 vehicles. Built by Pressed Steel for BR, these vehicles were originally three car sets, and examples of all three types are represented. Several sets still operate "as intended" as 3-car sets. Their survival is mainly due to extensive use by Network SouthEast and Scotrail, which kept them in service on the national network longer than most DMUs, in a similar story to the class 101s.

In preservation, few have received major work, with most being launched straight into traffic with little attention required. However this trend is slowly reversing with some vehicles undergoing overhaul as wear and tear takes hold. Most have now lost their late BR colours, returning to green (and in some cases blue or blue/grey).

A notable set is the Swanage Railway's 3-car unit, which was refurbished at a cost of over £1 million and derogated to run on Network Rail between Worgret Junction and Wareham. It is (to date) the most expensive first generation restoration and the set now regularly runs mainline services along this short section as part of a road traffic busting summer Swanage-Wareham service.

Number Type Location
     
51339 DMBS Colne Valley Railway
51342 DMBS Epping & Ongar Railway
51347 DMBS Gwili Railway
51351 DMBS Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway
51352 DMBS South Devon Railway
51353 DMBS Wensleydale Railway
51354 DMBS West Somerset Railway
51356 DMBS Swanage Railway
51360 DMBS Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway
51363 DMBS Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway
51365 DMBS Plym Valley Railway
51367 DMBS Strathspey Railway
51370 DMBS Mid Norfolk Railway
51371 DMBS Eastleigh Works
51372 DMBS Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway
     
51375 DMS Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway
51376 DMS South Devon Railway
51381 DMS Mangapps Railway Museum
51382 DMS Colne Valley Railway
51384 DMS Epping & Ongar Railway
51388 DMS Swanage Railway
51392 DMS Swanage Railway
51396 DMS Great Central Railway
51397 DMS Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway
51400 DMS Wensleydale Railway
51401 DMS Gwili Railway
51402 DMS Strathspey Railway
51405 DMS Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway
51407 DMS Plym Valley Railway
51412 DMS Mid Norfolk Railway
51413 DMS Eastleigh Works
     
59486 TCL Swanage Railway
59488 TCL Paignton & Dartmouth Railway
59492 TCL Eastleigh Works
59493 TCL South Devon Railway
59494 TS (Ex TCL) Paignton & Dartmouth Railway
59500 TSL (Ex TCL) Private Site: Nemesis Rail
59501 TCL Great Central Railway (North)
59503 TS (Ex TCL) Paignton & Dartmouth Railway
59505 TCL Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway
59506 TCL Great Central Railway
59507 TSL (Ex TCL) Plym Valley Railway
59508 TCL Gwili Railway
59509 TCL Wensleydale Railway
59510 TCL Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway
59511 TCL Strathspey Railway
59513 TSL (Ex TCL) Paignton & Dartmouth Railway
59514 TCL Swindon & Cricklade Railway
59515 TCL Yeovil Railway Centre
59517 TSL (Ex TCL) Paignton & Dartmouth Railway
59520 TCL Mid Norfolk Railway
59521 TCL Helston Railway

 

Although not strictly the preservation of whole Class 117 vehicles, sections of 51346 & 51366 also survive.

Now Scrapped

 

Number Type Last Location
     
51341 DMBS Dean Forest Railway
51346* DMBS* Eastleigh Works (*Cab Survives)
51359 DMBS Northampton & Lamport Railway
51386 DMS Mid Norfolk Railway
51395 DMS Dean Forest Railway
51398 DMS Dean Forest Railway
59490 TCL Swansea Vale Railway
59496 TCL Ecclesbourne Valley Railway
59516 TCL Swanage Railway
59518 TCL Paignton & Dartmouth Railway
59522 TCL Great Central Railway (Nottingham)