50170 Class 101 Driving Motor Composite Lavatory

Home Railway

Severn Valley Railway

Location History

Midland Railway Butterley Sep 04-Mar 11

Current Location

Severn Valley Railway

Ecclesbourne Valley Railway Mar 11-Present

Current Status

Under Overhaul

Severn Valley Railway Sep 24-Present

Current Livery

BR Green (Plain End)

TRA Designation

4

Visited Railways

Severn Valley Railway Oct 04

Partner Vehicle(s)

59303 & 50253

Owner

DMU Group West Midlands

Website

www.svr-dmu.org.uk

Record Last Updated

16 November 2024

Preservation Modifications
None

Preservation Information
Preserved in 2004 as a complete 2-car set along with 50253 as set 101692. The vehicle was operational about 24 hours after arrival! During the first few years much work, particularly mechanical, was undertaken to keep the vehicle operational, and it appeared regularly on service trains and at DMU galas at the Midland Railway Butterley

In October 2004, the vehicle visited the Severn Valley Railway for the spectacular Railcar50 celebrations which involved a never-to-be-repeated line up of DMUs from all around the country at one gala event. This was only possible sue to generous funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

50170 ran briefly as a 3-car set with centre car 59303 in 2005.

50170 was separtated from its DMBS partner 50253 when that vehicle was withdrawn for repairs, corrosion having built up in the brake van area. An alternative DMBS from visiting set 101685 (50164) was paired with 50170 which continued in service.

In 2010, an agreement was reached to loan 50170 to the Severn Valley Railway as a spare power car while several of their own Class 108 fleet were out of service for major repair work. In preparation for this loan, 50170 was withdrawn from service and underwent much restoration. Internally, the first class saloon was reinstated (having been de-classified to second class pre preservation) along with a thorough clean for the rest of the vehicle. Externally, corrosion was tackled, and the vehicle repainted into original green livery. Additionally, the gutters were shortened to cover only the doorways, thereby returning them to original condition, and the original cab front arrangement (with four marker lights) was reinstated. 50170 was only the second Class 101 vehicle in preservation to have this feature recreated. Unfortunately the loan deal did not go ahead.

In March 2011 agreement was reached for the Ecclesbourne Valley DMU Group to operate and maintain the vehicle, and 50170 was relocated to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway where it quickly entered passenger service. The vehicle did not operate in a fixed formation and could be found operating in a variety of sets.

During June 2014, a replacement alternator was required after the output on the No2 alternator was found to be very poor. A new starter motor on the same engine followed. A gearbox change was also undertaken. In September & October a new toilet floor was fitted as the original had rotted away from years of "use"!

The completion of the restoration of 50170's partner, 50253, in September 2015 allowed a fixed formation green liveried Class 101 set to be formed, consisting of 50170 with 59303 and 50253.

50170 ran as a 3-car set until March 2020 when it was stored out of service during the Covid pandemic. Sadly the vehicle deteriorated whilst in storage and resources were not available to undertake the previously planned interior refurbishment. The extended period out of traffic also highlighted the poor exterior condition with bodywork and repaint being required before the vehicle returned to service.

Following over four years in storage, as part of the EVR's overall strategy to reduce its DMU fleet to two sets, 50170 was sold, being purchased by the DMU Group West Midlands who wanted a Class 101 3-car set to expand their fleet at the Severn Valley Railway.

Shortly after arrival, 50170's overhaul for a return to service commenced, firstly at Kidderminster, but by the end of the year at the group's base at Bewdley.

50170 is currently receiving work to prepare it for an entry into service at the SVR.

Future Plans
It is intended for 50170 to return to service as a 3-car set for the Severn Valley Railway. An exterior refurbishment including bodywork/repaint and mechanical exam will be required.

E50170 loaded up at Wirksworth for its journey to Kidderminster, 11/9/24. William Pizer

E50170 stored in the sidings at Wirksworth, with the also stored DMCL E51505 visible to the left, 27/7/24. Darren JB

E50170/E59303/E50253 working services at Duffield, 22/7/21. Craig Ross

E50170, working the 16:08 Wirksworth-Duffield, looks at home alongside Derby Lightweight M79018 on static display, at Wirksworth during the railcar gala, 15/3/20. Chris Moxon

E50170/E59303/E50170 shunting into platform 1 for a layover during the annual railcar gala, 19/5/18. Chris Moxon

E50170/E59303/E50253 depart Idridghay with a Duffield-Wirksworth service, 20/7/17. Phil Brentnall

E50170/E59303/E50253 departing Wirksworth, 14/5/16. Brian Battersby

E50170 crosses M79900 at Shottle on a driver experience run during the Railcar Association convention weekend, 25/9/15. Barry Knapper

E50170 waits to depart Wirksworth on a driver experience run during the Railcar Association convention weekend, 25/9/15. Chris Moxon

E50170 operating services at Wirksworth, 7/14. Ecclesbourne Valley Railway DMU Group

50170 stabled at Wirksworth, 2/12/12. John Stokes

50170 stabled alongside Derby Lightweight 79900 at Wirksworth, 21/3/12. Leigh Gration

The two EVR Class 101 DMCL's together at Wirksworth: 50170 (left) and 51505 (right), 3/3/12. Leigh Gration

50170 on the transporter at Wirksworth, after a successful journey from the Midland Railway, Butterley. The vehicle was checked and started up minutes after rolling off the trailer, 28/3/11. Leigh Gration

50170 on the transporter at Wirksworth, after a successful journey from the Midland Railway, Butterley where its restoration was recently completed, 28/3/11. Leigh Gration

Rear view of 50170 on the transporter at Wirksworth, after a successful journey from the Midland Railway, Butterley where its restoration was recently completed, 28/3/11. Leigh Gration

In multiple with DMBS vehicles 50253& 50164 at Butterley, 28/3/09. Chris Moxon

Entering Butterley station, 29/3/08. Chris Moxon

Now sporting a repainted yellow end on the rear of a Hammersmith bound service at Butterley, 29/3/08. Chris Moxon

Now sporting a repainted yellow end on the rear of a Hammersmith bound service at Swanwick Junction, 29/3/08. Chris Moxon

The driver changes ends during a pause at Hammersmith during the 2006 DMU Gala, 15/7/06. Chris Moxon

Tailing 50253 on the approach to Butterley during the 2006 DMU Gala, 15/7/06. Chris Moxon

In the yard at Butterley, 8/7/06. Robert Chilton

53170 heads the 3-car 101 with a 114 behind past Butterley yard during the DMU gala, 8/10/05. John Miller 

Heading back into Butterley yard on the Midland Railway Centre after completion of it's second day of traffic on the line, 29/10/04.Stuart Mackay

Kidderminster station, awaiting the return journey to MR-B after the Railcar50 event, 19/10/04. Stuart Mackay

In multiple with 56358, 16/10/04. Simon Edwards

At Bridgnorth during the Railcar50 event, 16/10/04. Simon Edwards

In Butterley Yard, 12/9/04. Ian Francis

In Butterley Yard, 12/9/04. Ian Francis

The stripped out toilet inside E50170, 11/14. Ecclesbourne Valley Railway DMU Group

50170's cab (drivers side) which has been restored and the original maroon colour scheme reinstated, 3/4/13. Chris Moxon

50170's cab (secondmans side) which has been restored and the original maroon colour scheme reinstated, 3/4/13. Chris Moxon

50170's first class saloon. This area was restored in 2010 and the original first class seating returned, 3/4/13. Chris Moxon

50170's middle saloon. This area is pretty much in as withdrawn condition, 3/4/13. Chris Moxon

50170's rear saloon. This area is pretty much in as withdrawn condition, 3/4/13. Chris Moxon