51363 Class 117 Driving Motor Brake Second
Home Railway |
Location History |
Mid Hants Railway May 01-Oct 11 |
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Current Location |
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Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway Oct 11-Present |
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Current Status |
Operational (For Sale) |
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Current Livery |
BR Green (Speed Whiskers) |
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TRA Designation |
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Partner Vehicle(s) |
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Owner |
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Website |
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Record Last Updated |
7 September 2024 |
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Preservation Modifications |
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Preservation Information Following a period in storage 51363 was moved to the Mid Hants Railway in 2001 where it was refurbished and repainted into BR Green alongside 51405. The 2-car set was later returned to its original 3-car formation with the addition of TCL 59510 from the West Somerset Railway although this vehicle was confusingly incorrectly numbered 59515 for a time! Between 2006 and 2008, partner 51405 was occationally substituted for 51400, which was on the line at this time as a spare powercar. Due to a change in employment in 2011, the owner left the MHR to take over the role of looking after steam loco 70000 Britannia, which resulted in the entire MHR DMU fleet being reluctanctly sold. The MHR itself were offered first refusal to buy 51363, but had to turn the offer down as funds had already been allocated for other projects on the railway. The 3-car set was purchased complete by Cotswold Diesel Railcar Ltd, who relocated the vehicle to the landslip-stricken Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway in October 2011. In 2012, a Kenlowe fan was fitted on the No2 engine, and several stepboards replaced. 51363 saw much use operating the "northern section" of the temporarily divided railway, and was part of the celebrations after the railway of two halves was reconnected in October 2012. Gradually throughout 2015 the interior passenger saloons inside 51363 received a visual boost when the seating was fully reupholstered into authentic BR blue/green material. This work was completed in September 2015. 51363 was withdrawn from service for summer 2017, its place in the set taken by 51360, and entered the Carriage & Wagon workshops at Winchcombe in June where it received exterior repairs and a full repaint, retaining its BR Green with half yellow warning panel livery. Whilst being repainted, a great deal of interior refreshing and repainting work was also undertaken. It was returned to service in late August. In 2018 heavy maintenence work to normal partner 51405 led to 51363 running with 51360 for two seasons in an interesting hybrid livery formation that contained two brakevans. In early 2020 the return of 51405 meant the green 3-car set was reformed as normal. The same year saw 51363 receive modifications to make it wheelchair accessible (see "preservation modifications" section above for full details). Thje latter half of the 2023 season saw 51363 running once again in a reformed 3-car set with 59510 & 51360. In June 2024, the livery was changed slightly with 51363 gaining speed whiskers. Unexpectedly, 51363 was put up for sale in September 2024 along with partners 59510 & 51405, the group wishing to reduce the size of their fleet to a manageable level. 51363 is currently for sale in an operating condition with its future, at the GWSR at least, in doubt. |
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Future Plans |
Interior