50414 Class 103 Driving Motor Brake Second (Scrapped)

Last Location

West Somerset Railway

Location History

West Somserset Railway Dec 75-93

Current Status

Scrapped in Summer 1993

Last Livery

Non Standard Green (Full Yellow End)

Partner Vehicle(s)

56168

Record Last Updated

23 June 2020

Preservation Modifications
None

Preservation Information
50414 was withdrawn from BR service in 1972 after just 15 years service. It was puchased along with several other 103 vehicles by the embryonic West Somserset Railway and stored at Taunton. They moved on to the railway in December 1975 in readiness for the opening in March 1976.

Ten years of intensive service followed, as up to five DMU sets were in use on the railway as economical traction at that time.

In Dec 1989, all of the first generation DMU’s on the WSR were taken out of service because of asbestos. 50414 was viewed as in poor condition and the railway decided to standardise on DMU types; choosing to retain a fleet of 115/117 suburban vehicles instead.

Of the five sets located on the line, 50414 (and its partner 56168) was one of two sets unable to find a new home, and they were subsequently scrapped in 1993.

50414 was the first Class 103 powercar to be scrapped, leaving two complete Class 103 2-car sets left in existance. Further scrappings in 2009 however have left only one complete set.

50414/56168 stand at Minehead. Its presence in the platform with a tail lamp suggests it's been in service, despite repordedly being withdrawn in 1989, 8/91. Brian Battersby

At Minehead with 56168 behind, 18/8/91. Robert Chilton

50414 and others, Minehead, 26/8/89. Tony Willmore

50414 at Minehead, 2/7/89. Simon Jones

50414 & 56168 (since cut up) and 50413 & 56169 (the HRDG unit) rest at Minehead on the West Somerset Railway, 7/8/88.Simon Jones

50414 & 56168 stabled at Minehead, 28/5/87. Michael Wadman

Branded set 201, seen at Bishops Lydeard, 8/6/86. David Underwood

Branded set 201, seen entering Blue Anchor, 8/6/86. David Underwood

Crossing 56121 at Blue Anchor, 8/6/86. David Underwood

50414 & 56168 stabled at Minehead, 2/9/85. Michael Wadman

Seen at Minehead, 14/7/85. Robert Chilton

50414 & 56168 in service on the West Somerset during the 1980's. Brian King

50414 in service atBishops Lydeard during the 1980's. Brian King

50414 undergoing a lift at Minehead during the 1980's. Brian King

50414 undergoing a lift at Minehead during the 1980's. Brian King

50414 undergoing a lift at Minehead during the 1980's. Brian King

50414 undergoing a lift at Minehead during the 1980's. Brian King

50414 & 56168 at Minehead, snowed in at some time during the early 1980's. Brian King

50414 seen derailled on the WSR, 3/10/81.

50414 seen derailled on the WSR, 3/10/81.

A front end view of 50414 at Wiliton, 1980. Ian Hooper

50414 in house livery at Williton, 5/4/80 Phil Trotter