51397 Class 117 Driving Motor Second
Home Railway |
Location History |
Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway Apr 94-Jan 97 |
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Current Location |
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Private Site: MOD Long Marston Jan 97-Oct 01 |
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Current Status |
Stored - For Sale |
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Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway Oct 01-Present |
Current Livery |
BR Green (Half Yellow Panel) |
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TRA Designation |
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Partner Vehicle(s) |
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Owner |
Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway |
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Website |
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Record Last Updated |
18 August 2024 |
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Preservation Modifications |
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Preservation Information It is not known if the vehicle operated in passenger service whilst at Chinnor. In 1997, the vehicle was stored at the MOD’s Long Marston site, intended for the future Stratford & Broadway Railway scheme. In 2001, the vehicle was sold to John Down and moved to the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway, where it was restored to operational condition, receiving a repaint into BR unlined Green livery. A number of areas of restoration were undertaken, including making good the guttering, re-panelling the interior and also the fitting of a buffet/bar area. The vehicle was tentatively launched into traffic in 2008, although further restoration work was required to make the vehicle fully serviceable. However a change in the owner's circumstances meant the vehicle never saw much use in service, and was out of action the following year, “stored serviceable” and being unpopular for passenger duties on the line. In June 2010, the set lost its centre car, 59520, which had been sold. In April 2012 following the owner's death it was acquired by the railway itself and authorisation was obtained to embark on restoration to passenger service. A replacement set of batteries were fitted followed by the sucessful starting of both engines and testing of the gearboxes and final drives. The period of inactivity threw up a long list of minor mecanical issues which had to be worked through. The vehicle moved under its own power for the first time in several years during October 2012. The vehicle was put back into store whilst work concentrated on 51351. Oddly, before 51351's bodywork was completed, work switched in 2018 to 51397 which was extracted from store and had the front end bodywork attended to and repainted. This work was significant which much new metal and fibreglass cab roof dome removal/repairs. However, further overhaul works were not undertaken and 51397 continued to be stored and its condition sadly deteriorated again. Eventually, in August 2024, it had been decided to not continue with a DMU in the railway's future strategy and 51397 was put up for sale. |
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Future Plans |
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51397 undercover in the railway's new shed, 15/9/19. Stephen Godber |
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51397 undercover in the railway's new shed, 15/9/19. Stephen Godber |
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51397 having received a new cab front and refurbished/refitted roof dome. A partial repaint completed the work,16/9/18. PBR Diesel Traction Department |
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51397 stored at Blaenavon, 28/7/13. Nick Baxter |
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51351 & 51397 coupled up in multiple for the first time in a few years, 30/9/12. Matt Callaghan |
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51397, now in railway ownership, sees renewed enthusiasm and increased restortion activity, 26/2/12. Matt Callaghan |
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51397 in use as a loco-hauled control trailer vehicle on the Pontypool & Blaenavon's new Big Pit branch, 18/9/11. Ben Salter |
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51397 in use during the DMU Gala, 20/4/08. Alistair Grieve |
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51397 under restoration at Blaenavon, 2/7/05. Stuart Mackay |
Interior
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Cab view. Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway |
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The front saloon. Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway |
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The front saloon. Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway |
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The middle saloon. Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway |
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The buffet counter. Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway |