51074 Class 119 Driving Motor Brake Composite

Home Railway	Swindon & Cricklade Railway	Location History	Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway Sep 94-Nov 01
Current Location	Swindon & Cricklade Railway		Swindon & Cricklade Railway Nov 01-Present
Current Status	Operational
Current Livery	BR Green (Plain End)
TRA Designation	3
Partner Vehicle(s)	51073
Owner	Gloucester Railcar Trust
Website	facebook.com/groups/8642346869180453
Record Last Updated	16 November 2024
Preservation Modifications The majority of the parcel cage has been removed to allow wheelchair accessibility.
Preservation Information Preservation of Class 119 vehicles has not been easy. The entire fleet was insulated with blue asbestos from new, subsequently removed during refurbishment by British Rail. After withdrawal in October 1993, 51074 was the subject of an industrial dispute at Swindon works over the asbestos issue, not being allowed into the workshops for rebuilding until spotless. It was therefore very frustrating to be told that any vehicles bought for preservation would need to be re-inspected and a new certificate issued, which meant that all of the interior panelling would need to be removed. This was despite the existence of BR certificates! Although preserved in September 1994 after being set aside a Gwent Demolition (Margam), fundraising for a complete 119 set continued for several years, but sadly insufficient funds were raised to save a historically correct 3-car formation, with the last centre car, 59435, being scrapped in January 1996. 51074 and partner 51104 had however survived, becoming the only 2-car set in preservation, at the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway in Wales. In September 1999, the vehicle moved under its own power “in the compound” at Blaenavon during the diesel gala weekend. Some restoration work was undertaken at the P&BR, before the set was moved to the Swindon & Cricklade Railway in 2001. Since arrival at the S&CR 51074 received bodywork and a repaint into BR Green. In 2005 a Class 117 TCL, 59514, was acquired to run with 51074 & 51104 when the restoration was completed. In July 2005 the vehicle was operating test runs on the line. By 2012, 51074 had received a full mechanical overhaul and work on the interior was progressing well, with the vehicle having been fully re-panelled. Progress continued to be steady and it was not until spring 2018 that 51074 received a successful fitness to run certificate from the railway to allow its use. This passed, the summer season saw the first proper runs of the unit in a long time. Unfortunately several of the early days had to be cancelled or run as hauled stock after problems with either the unit or crew. However the unit later settled down and started to operate regularly. From 2019-2022 the set saw limited use as required, working off-peak services and also running extra services which the railway has never run before, such as extra mid week days in August. The restoration work to improve the 51074's condition continued on an ongoing basis in between running days. In 2023 the vehicle was withdrawn from service and entered the shed for some cab end bodywork repairs. These were completed and the vehicle later returned outside. In November 2024, 51074 was turned 180 degrees to face the same way as long term partner 51104. This was due to the arrival of sister 51073 from the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway which was, surprisingly, delivered the same way as 51074 had faced for the 2001-2024 period. 51074 and 51073 were then paired, forming an interesting 2-car set that uniquely had more first class accommodation than second! 51074 has currently yet to work any services at the Swindon & Cricklade Railway with its new partner.
Future Plans The owning group wish to run 51074 with 51073 as a set in the short term future whilst more thorough restoration work is undertaken to 51104. Longer term, with 51104 back in traffic, it is expected for 51074 to follow so that more improvement works can be completed.

	W51074 being turned to face the opposite way, so it could form a 2-car set with sister W51073, 11/11/24. Gloucester Railcar Trust

	W51074 being turned to face the opposite way, so it could form a 2-car set with sister W51073, 11/11/24. Gloucester Railcar Trust

	W51073 arriving by road transport into Blundsdon, with sister W51074 waiting under the bridge to meet its new partner, 11/11/24. Darren Ford

	51074 receiving bodywork repairs to the cab front, 15/4/23. Chris Bull

	51074/51104 in service at Blundsdon, 18/9/22. Ken Jones

	51074 arriving into Blunsdon, 18/9/22. Dave Bickley

	51074/51104 at Blundsdon on one of its running days, 17/7/19. Neil Jones

	51074 stabled at Blunsdon, 19/5/19. Chris Walker

	51074/51104 forms the hauled coaching stock for 2B11 11:00 Blunsdon-Hayes Knoll, with 73003 providing the power. This was intended to be one of the unit's first passenger running days, but sadly mechanical issues prevented its use at the final hour. However the railway were to be credited for still putting the unit out as coaching stock, as this meant that for this photographer at least, the visit (which couldn't be reversed due to accommodation being booked!) still allowed a ride on the unit and a full interior inspection to be made! 20/5/18. Chris Moxon

	51074 under restoration at Blunsdon. 51074 has recently had a full mechanical overhaul, November 2011. Jim Poor

	51074 under restoration, 10/5/09. David Beardmore

	51074 under restoration, 28/9/08. Simon Edwards

	At Blunsdon, in the company of Class 101 59117 and Class 107 52025, November 2002. Steve Hodgson

	51074 on the Swindon & Cricklade Railway, 1/12/01. Stuart Mackay

Interior

	The cab, drivers side, 20/5/18. Chris Moxon

	The cab, secondmans side, 20/5/18. Chris Moxon

	The first class smoking saloon, 20/5/18. Chris Moxon

	The first class non smoking saloon, 20/5/18. Chris Moxon

	The second class smoking saloon, 20/5/18. Chris Moxon

	The second class smoking saloon, 20/5/18. Chris Moxon

	The brake van, still under restoration, 20/5/18. Chris Moxon

	Interior view of 51074 under restoration at Blunsdon. 51074 has been re-panelled internally, it is waiting for new lino/carpet flooring and then the seating can be re-instated, 2010. Jim Poor