50926 Class 108 Driving Motor Brake Second

Home Railway	Great Central Railway (North)	Location History	Great Central Railway (North) Jul 97-Present
Current Location	Great Central Railway (North)
Current Status	Under Restoration
Current Livery	BR Blue & Grey
TRA Designation	4
Partner Vehicle(s)	50645
Owner	Ruddington DMU Group
Website	None
Record Last Updated	23 November 2024
Preservation Modifications None
Preservation Information It is presumed 50927 was preserved in 1997, a little later than many Class 108's owing to a slightly extended life in departmental service. During the first 20 years at the GCR(N), the vehicle appears to have seen little if any use. However in 2011 the vehicle came under control of a new management team who aim was to actively push forward the restoration of the vehicle to operational condition. The team was made up of two of the original owners plus two new members with all four parties owning a quarter share. In 2011 work was concentrated on the roof of the vehicle so as to ensure it is water tight before interior work starts. A large number of the rivets which join the sheet sections together were been replaced with modern polyurethane sealant being used between the roof joints to ensure a water tight joint. All the original roof covering was removed and then painted with a specialist etch primer and multiple coats of undercoat and top coat. In 2012 the vehicle received new engine filters, fluids, a close examination and was barred over in preparation for starting of the engines for the first time in four years. The mid 2010's saw work on stripping paint, cleaning and painting of all the lower sections including the buffer beam where two failed Oleo buffers were removed for overhaul. By 2020 although 50926 was still considered as under restoration, most work was being directed towards partner 50645 and the restoration stalled over the Covid-19 pandemic. Some work restarted in 2022 with the interior being the focus, glue being removed from interior panels along with general reassembly work. Sliding windows, suitably overhauled, were refitted to the vehicle. Ceiling panels were refitted. During 2023 corrosion to the steel corridor end panels was tackled, working outdoors, with lower sections replaced and repainted. In 2024, a start was made on the cab front, with lower sections of skin cut away to allow the repair of framework pillars.
Future Plans Seats and cushions for use within 50926 are available on site and will be moved into one of the buildings for painting of the frames and a deep clean of the upholstery prior to fitting.

	The lower skin of the cab front of 50926 sliced away and new repair sections welded into the pillars, 18/11/24. Mark Russell

	Repairs to the secondmans side corridor end completed and primed, 12/23. Mark Russell

	50926 now looking a little worse for wear at Ruddington, 18/7/21. Ken Jones

	50926 resting at Ruddington, 23/2/19. Anthony Christie

	50926 under restoration at Ruddington, 1/7/17. Craig Nicklin

	W53926 stood at Ruddington during mechanical restoration, 20/2/16. Brian Battersby

	W53926 in the line up at Ruddington, 28/11/15. Nottingham Railcar Group

	W53926, patiently awaiting resources outside whilst its partner's restoration progresses inside the shed, 18/6/14. Zoe Hunter

	W53926 undergoing restoration work at Ruddington, 15/5/11. David Beardmore

	W53926 in store at Ruddington, 17/5/09. Simon Edwards

	W53926 in store at Ruddington, 12/10/08. Simon Edwards

	W53926/W53645 stored at Ruddington, 11/10/04. David Beardmore

	W53926 in store at Ruddington, 3/5/04. Simon Edwards

	W53926 at the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre, Ruddington, 20/7/01. Stuart Mackay

Interior

Replacement ceiling panels shortly after being fitted, 25/9/22. Mark Russell