51566 Class 108 Driving Motor Second Lavatory
Home Railway |
Location History |
Peak Rail Apr 93-Jun 08 |
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Current Location |
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Dean Forest Railway Jun 08-Present |
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Current Status |
Operational |
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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 |
Dean Forest DMU Group |
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Website |
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Record Last Updated |
16 November 2024 |
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Preservation Modifications |
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Preservation Information In 2008, the Peak Rail fleet was quickly sold and disbanded, the three car set being purchased by the Dean Forest DMU Group. They sold 50933 but retained 51566 and unique 59387, 51566 moving to the Dean Forest Railway shortly after purchase. During 2008 the exhaust stacks and pipes were chemically cleaned and the roof vents blanked. The door locks were removed and renovated. The multiple unit jumpers were overhauled. Internally, all the internal seats were stripped out and all damaged ceiling and wall panels removed. The roof water tanks and the toilet were also removed as the DFR do not require these in service. In Autumn 2009 "rain caps" were fitted to the tops of the engine exhaust pipes to prevent water getting into the exhaust system. By April 2011, 51566 was mechanically refurbished enough for a non passenger test run to Parkend which was succesful. Later in the year the roof was stripped and repainted. During the summer a new cab front fabricated from aluminium (to replace the rotten steel example) was fitted to the vehicle, which reprtesented about half of the external bodywork restoration. During 2012, work on the interior restoration of 51566 progressed. Damaged lino in the cab and vestibule areas was replaced, and efforts to install a buffet (along with associated main electrical wiring and other facilities) were made. A lot of Formica panel repairs were also made. Restoration work on 51566 continued in 2013. Both engines were removed, cleaned, inspected, tested, any repairs made and finally refitted to the vehicle. An important repair was also made to the chassis after a crack was noticed, requiring a special strengthening plate to be designed and fitted. Bodywork was completed after steelwork repairs to the corridor end were completed in the spring and the aluminium bodysides cleaned and prepared for repainting. In 2013 the vehcile was completed and entered traffic, being narrowly beaten by Class 119 51073 as the Railcar of the Year for 2013. During 2015, 51566 ran with 59387 & 51914. It ran for over 1,300 miles over the year. During January 2016 the buffet area of 51566's interior was refurbished and repainted. In 2017, 51566 ran a total of 473 miles as part of a 3-car set, less than in previous years. In 2018, 51566 operated every DMU service with 50619, supplemented by 59387 as required, and ran a total of 1,099 miles. In 2019, 51566 again operated every DMU service with 50619, supplemented by 59387 as required, and ran a total of 1,142 miles. With 51914/56492 expected to re-enter service in 2020, 51566 was withdrawn from traffic at the end of 2019 for essential maintenance. It was however returned to service on a temporary basis during October 2020 to form a 3-car set with 51914/56492 which was required in order to provide additional capacity during the socially distenced times. The following year a replacement engine, radiator and bogie was fitted. 51566 returned to service in April 2021 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of DMU's on the Dean Forest Railway, formed with 59387 & 51914. In 2022, 51566 operated 226 miles, mainly in the 3-car set though there were also some interesting 6 car formations. Unfortunately 51566 had to sit part of the year out, due to teething issues with the replacement engne recently fitted. 2023 saw 51566 only used on four occasions with a modest 112 miles being run, however this was due to operating demand with the vehicle being available for traffic all year. |
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Future Plans |