50015 Class 114 Driving Motor Brake Second

Home Railway	Midland Railway Butterley	Location History	Midland Railway Butterley Apr 04-Present
Current Location	Midland Railway Butterley
Current Status	Stored
Current Livery	BR Blue (Full Yellow End)
TRA Designation	3
Partner Vehicle(s)	56015
Owner	MRT Railcar Group
Website	None
Record Last Updated	1 August 2024
Preservation Modifications None, but the vehicle retains considerable departmental modifications.
Preservation Information 50015 survived beyond many other DMUs on the national network due to it being heavily converted for departmental use. Its original interior has been removed entirely and is effectively a new vehicle in its own right. The MRT Railcar Group purchased 50015, and partner 56015, and soon made the set operational. 50015 was repainted into BR Blue with half yellow warning panels to give the set a more heritage focussed appearance. It was used with 56015 at the railway's DMU gala in 2006. The set saw very limited use due to its passenger carrying capacity being severely limited. However it saw use at several galas as the vehicle has a small area which can accommodate a limited number of people. Some evening specials were also able to be operated. In 2009 the front end was repainted, the livery being changed slightly to the full yellow end variety. Sadly 50015's operational status was sharply terminated in the mid 2010's, after the vehicle was broken into and vandalised. Various metal items and pipework were stolen rendering the vehicle unable to be used. Due to commitments with the passenger carrying sets (including the original Class 114 set 50019/56006) which had also been vandalised, 50015 had to be stored to await its turn for repairs. Following years of storage, the general condition of 50015 deteriorated significantly. 50015 remains in long term storage.
Future Plans Once resources become available 50015 will have its vandal damage repaired after which it can be made operational once again. Plans for the future involve using the vehicle as volunteer messing accommodation which may involve some more minor modifications. The owning group have no plans to convert 50015 back into original configuration, so it will remain preserved in its departmental format.

	E50015 being overwhelmed by vegetation, stored in the sidings at Swanwick Junction, 21/7/24. Aaron Browning

	E50015 stored in the DMU siding at Butterley, 17/3/19. Chris Moxon

	E50015 in the "DMU siding" east of Butterley station, 2/3/14. Zoe Hunter

	E50015 & E56015 waiting for passengers at Butterley, 28/3/09. Chris Moxon

	Changing ends at Hammersmith, 28/3/09. Chris Moxon

	E50015 & E56015 arrive into Swanwick Junction, 28/3/09. David Beardmore

	On a Fish & Chip special at Butterley, 28/3/09. Chris Moxon

	In the yard at Butterley, 29/3/08. Simon Edwards

	Stabled at Swanwick Junction, 1/4/07. Chris Moxon

	E50015 at Butterley in public service, 15/6/06. Chris Moxon

	At Swanwick Junction in public service, 15/6/06. Chris Moxon

	With work started on painting the vehicle into blue, it is seen outside the carriage shed at Butterley. Ian Francis

	977775 just after rolling off the lorry at the MRC's unloading site on the end of the Butterley branch, 16/4/04. Stuart Mackay

Interior

	The cab of 50015, 17/3/19. Chris Moxon

	The cab of 50015, 17/3/19. Chris Moxon

	The front saloon of 50015, which is the most recognisable area of the vehicle after departmental conversion, 17/3/19. Chris Moxon

	The centre section of 50015, 17/3/19. Chris Moxon

	The centre section of 50015, 17/3/19. Chris Moxon

	The entrance to the generator section, 17/3/19. Chris Moxon

	The side corridor inside 50015 past the generator room, 17/3/19. Chris Moxon

	The much reduced guards area at the rear of the vehicle, 17/3/19. Chris Moxon