51562 Class 108 Driving Motor Composite Lavatory

Home Railway

National Railway Museum

Location History

National Railway Museum (York) Jul 92-Present

Current Location

National Railway Museum (York)

   

Current Status

Static Display

Visited Railways

East Lancashire Railway Jan 11-Jul 14

Current Livery

BR Blue (Full Yellow End)

 

East Kent Railway Jul 14-May 17

TRA Designation

4

 

Allelys Heavy Haulage (storage) May 17-Aug 17

Partner Vehicle(s)

51922

   

Owner

National Railway Museum

   

Website

railwaymuseum.org.uk

   

Record Last Updated

1 September 2020

   

Preservation Modifications
None

Preservation Information
This vehicle is historically significant as the 1000th vehicle to be built by BR’s Derby Workshops. This earned it a place in the National Railway Museum’s collection, as well as being a good original example of a BR built DMU. Unlike the majority of 108’s that were preserved, 51562 was never refurbished, so the original features such as the green coloured Formica panelling and tungsten lighting remain in situ.

Preserved with partner 51922, the set arrived at the NRM under its own power, and was painted into green/blue (51562 being blue) to represent the livery variation that DMUs spend much of their working lives in.

51562 made its passenger debut in 1999 at a Thomas event. However, the NRM is primarily a museum, with only a very short demonstration line at its base in York. 51562 was therefore for many years operational but rarely run, settling into long periods of static display.

After a period of 10 years (2001-2011) without any use, 51562 & 51922 were loaned to the East Lancs Railway, where it was recognised that the vehicle could play more useful role.

A rapid mechanical restoration followed and the set operated for the first time in many years at their 2011 DMU Day in March. Immediately after the event, 51562 was withdrawn for further mechanical work, however the vehicle was back in traffic for the Thomas event in August.

Between August 2011 and July 2014, 51562 operated infrequently with 51922, most commonly being seen in use during special events. Minor restoration work and maintenance was undertaken on a rolling basis ensuring the vehicle remained in traffic.

The resident DMU group decided that they were unable to maintain 51562 long term so it was offered to other railways seeking to expand their fleets. The East Kent Railway wanted a second set to supplement their Class 101, and 51562 was moved in July 2014.

51562 & 51922entered service immediately and operated most of the passenger services on the line for almost three years.

During 2017 the railway took a new direction away from First Generation DMU's and disbanded its fleet. 51562 was therefore promptly returned to its owners at the National Railway Museum. The vehicle spent a period in storage at a haulage yard before arriving at York during the summer.

51562 was stored for a time outside the museum buildings, but was later moved undercover inside the diesel tent for a period on static display.

In August 2020 51562/51922 were moved by rail (a rare occurrence for a first generation DMU) via Holgate sidings at York from the museum's south yard round to the "Great Hall" side of the complex. NRM officials suggested that the move was to better place the vehicles for restoration work to be undertaken.

Future Plans
The NRM have suggested that 51562 will receive cosmetic restoration work (likely to be a repaint) to make it more suitable for a further period of static display. Long term, the vehicle is one of the few items in their collection that has been listed as suitable for having an operating (rather than static) future.

 

M51562 back in its old haunt: the NRM's diesel tent, 7/9/19. Jamie Stallwood

   

M51562, shortly after arrival at the National Railway Museum in York, 20/7/17. Alex Fowles

   

M51562 shortly after arrival at the East Kent Railway, 27/7/14. East Kent Railway

   

M51562 shortly after arrival at the East Kent Railway, 26/7/14. East Kent Railway

   

M51562 & M51922 stand at Rawtenstall with the 11:05 Rawtenstall-Heywood during the DMU Day, 16/3/13.Chris Moxon

   

M51562/M51922 stand at Bury Bolton Street (Platform 3) with the 10:15 Rawtenstall-Heywood during the annual DMU Day, 17/3/12. Chris Moxon

   

M51562/M51922 stand at Ramsbottom with the 11:30 Heywood-Rawtenstall during the annual DMU Day, 17/3/12. Chris Moxon

   

M51562 stands alongside the town's industrial heritage at Ramsbottom with the 11:30 Heywood-Rawtenstall during the annual DMU Day, 17/3/12. Chris Moxon

   

Corridor end view of M51562 at Ramsbottom working the 11:30 Heywood-Rawtenstall during the annual DMU Day, 17/3/12. Chris Moxon

   

M51562/M51922 make a very rare passenger movement into the bay platform at Rawtenstall for a training exercise during the annual DMU Day. The set is waiting to depart with the 12:45 Rawtenstall-Heywood, 17/3/12. Chris Moxon

   

Departing Bury on its first public passenger trip for 10 years, at the East Lancs Railway's 2011 DMU Theme Day, 19/3/11. Chris Moxon

   

Running through Heap Bridge Quarry on its first public passenger trip for 10 years, at the East Lancs Railway's 2011 DMU Theme Day, 19/3/11. Chris Moxon

   

51562 stands at Bury Bolton Street on its first public passenger day for 10 years, at the East Lancs Railway's 2011 DMU Theme Day. It has just completed its first round trip on the ELR, 19/3/11. Chris Moxon

   

Rear view at Bury Bolton Street on its first public passenger day for 10 years, at the East Lancs Railway's 2011 DMU Theme Day. It has just completed its first round trip on the ELR, 19/3/11.

   

Waiting at Heywood on its first public passenger day for 10 years, at the East Lancs Railway's 2011 DMU Theme Day, 19/3/11. Chris Moxon

   

Waiting at Rawtenstall on its first public passenger day for 10 years, at the East Lancs Railway's 2011 DMU Theme Day, 19/3/11. Chris Moxon

   

51562, shortly before its escape from static display at the National Railway museum, 4/11/10. Martin Clark

   

M51562 stands outside at York, 4/5/09. John Carter

   

On static display in the National Railway Museum's diesel tent, 30/5/07. Chris Moxon

   

M51562 in the diesel tent, 9/1/06. Roger Marks

   

On static display in the National Railway Museum's diesel tent, 12/11/05. Simon Edwards

   

51562 in the tent. Daniel Read

   

51562 at the National Railway Museum's running day, shortly after a  repaint, 6/5/00. Paul Ellis

 

Interior

 

The first class section, 27/7/14. East Kent Railway

   

M51562's middle saloon during the annual DMU Day. The vehicle was never refurbished, so retains its tungsten lighting and original green Formica panels, 17/3/12. Chris Moxon