51370 Class 117 Driving Motor Brake Second
Home Railway |
Location History |
Chasewater Railway Apr 94-Sep 06 |
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Current Location |
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Private Site: Titley Junction Sep 06-Sep 17 |
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Current Status |
Stored |
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Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway Sep 17-Mar 18 |
Current Livery |
BR Green (Half Yellow Panel) |
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Whitwell & Reepham Railway Mar 18-Nov 20 |
TRA Designation |
Mid Norfolk Railway Nov 20-Present |
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Partner Vehicle(s) |
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Owner |
Paul Hughes |
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Website |
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Record Last Updated |
1 October 2022 |
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Preservation Modifications |
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Preservation Information By 1999 51370 & 51412 had been repainted into BR Green with half yellow warning panel. The set provided some off-peak diesel services on the Chasewater line for many years. In 2003, 51370/51412 were the star attraction at the annual Railcar Association convention, operating both passenger trips and driver experience runs over the event. In 2006 the vehicle was sold and moved onto a private site at Titley Junction where the station area was being brought back into use under the title “The Kingfisher Line”. The site was not normally open to the public except on selected open days and was essentially a private project. It is presumed that the original intention was to continue operating 51370/51412 when required at the railway, however there appears to be no evidence that 51370 ever operated in passenger service and after several years it was confirmed that 51370 was indeed out of use and in storage. During the mid 2010's 51370 was held in storage where its condition deteriorated significantly. 2017 saw 51370 sold to Cotswold Diesel Railcar Ltd and was moved to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway shortly afterwards, becoming the sixth Class 117 vehicle to arrive on the railway. It was assessed for a potential return to service as part of a second Class 117 set for the railway, however similar vehicle 51372 was found to be in better condition, so 51370 was very quickly put up for sale, being purchased by Paul Hughes early in 2018. In March 2018 the vehicle was moved to its new home and restoration base, the Whitwell & Reepham Railway. Initial efforts consisted of parts finding, as 51370 was very incomplete and had been stripped of many of its components, particularly electrical and interior, during its time at Titley Junction. Seating, cab instruments and electrical parts were some of the items obtained to assist putting 51370 back together. April 2018 saw the long road of restoration begin. Interior panelling and seating were removed to assess the bodywork corrosion and the floor. A tarpaulin put over the front section of the vehicle where the worst water leaks were located. Whilst locating many of the parts originally from 51370 from Titley Junction in May, the owner of 51370 ended up purchasing its long term partner 51412! Three months later the latter vehicle was moved to join 51370 and the pair were reunited once again as a 2-car set. By July further interior stripping of ceiling panels inside the passenger saloons was undertaken, to further assess body condition, this time around the roof and cantrails. In August 2018, 51370 received a larger tarpaulin to prvent any further water ingress. As new arrival 51412 was in much better condition than 51370, it was decided to concentrate on getting 51412 capable of passenger service first. Consequently, the majority of work on 51370 stopped whilst the team focussed on repairs to 51412. However some limited restoration of small parts (such as electrical box covers) was progressed on an occasional basis. In late 2020 the owners decided the restoration of 51412 (and 51370 in due course) would be better progressed elsewhere and 51370 was relocated to the Mid Norfolk Railway where it remains in storage awaiting the completion of 51412. |
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Future Plans The mid term future aims to see a Class 117 2-car set restored and operating at the Mid Norfolk Railway, with 51370 receiving a full restoration (bodywork, interior reconstruction and mechanical) allowing it to return to service with long term partner 51412 for the first time in many years. The plan is to represent the vehicle's in their 1970's Rail Blue condition. The long term aspiration is a full original Class 117 3-car set formed 51370, 59520 &51412. |
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51370 stored in Dereham yard, with the worst areas of roof covered with a tarpaulin, 22/1/22. Michael Hughes |
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51370 after unloading at Dereham, with a happy restoration team in front! 11/11/20. Michael Hughes |
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51370 being loaded at Whitwell for its short trip by road to its new home, 10/11/20. Michael Hughes |
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51370, partially bearthed undercover at the rear end under a new restoration building, 4/8/20. Chris Moxon |
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51370, partially bearthed undercover at the rear end under a new restoration building, 4/8/20. Chris Moxon |
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51370, under a structure which is being built to aid its exterior restoration, at Whitwell, 20/6/20. Reg Vardy |
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W51370 reunited with its partner 51412 for the first time in quite a while, 21/8/18. Michael Hughes |
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W51370 during an early restoration session at Whitwell, 8/4/18. Michael Hughes |
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W51370 arriving at its new home Whitwell station, 7/3/18. Paul Hughes |
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W51370 being unloaded at its new home Whitwell station, 7/3/18. Michael Hughes |
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W51370 being unloaded at its new home Whitwell station, 7/3/18. Michael Hughes |
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W51370 at Toddington during an inspection as part of a change of ownership, 11/2/18. Michael Hughes |
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W51370 at Toddington during an inspection as part of a change of ownership, 11/2/18. Michael Hughes |
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W51370 arriving at Toddington, 19/9/17. James Clarke |
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51370/51412 at the Chasewater Railway. Ian Francis |
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51370/51412 at the Chasewater Railway, 2/2/99. Stuart Mackay |
Interior
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51370's cab, awaiting the start of serious restoration work, 4/8/20. Chris Moxon |
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51370's cab, awaiting the start of serious restoration work, 4/8/20. Chris Moxon |
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51370's front saloon, awaiting the start of serious restoration work, 4/8/20. Chris Moxon |
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51370's mid saloon, awaiting the start of serious restoration work, 4/8/20. Chris Moxon |
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The front passenger saloon after removal of the ceilings, 22/7/18. Michael Hughes |
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The front passenger saloon after removal of the side panelling, 15/4/18. Michael Hughes |
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The front passenger saloon after removal of the seating, 8/4/18. Michael Hughes |
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The stripped out cab of W51370 during an inspection as part of a change of ownership, 11/2/18. Michael Hughes |
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The front passenger saloon of W51370 during an inspection as part of a change of ownership, 11/2/18. Michael Hughes |