51616 Class 127 Driving Motor Brake Second

Home Railway

Helston Railway

Location History

Great Central Railway Mar 84-Jan 20

Current Location

Helston Railway

Helston Railway Jan 20-Present

Current Status

Operational (Hauled Stock)

Current Livery

Non Standard Maroon

TRA Designation

4

Partner Vehicle(s)

None

Owner

Website

Record Last Updated

16 September 2023

Preservation Modifications
Gangways were fitted to the vehicle to enable through access to the bar in 59276.

Preservation Information
51616 was withdrawn in January 1984 and purchased by a large group of railwaymen comprising of maintenance staff (fitters, electricians, supervisors and managers) based at Cricklewood depot (a 127 depot) along with senior staff from Derby Litchurch Lane (the builders of the 127). Together they formed the Red Triangle Society whose initial aim was to save some 127 vehicles having built and maintained them in service through thick and thin for so many years. Upon withdrawal of the units, delayed due to the blacklisting by drivers of their replacements the Class 317 EMU's, the society met after hours to arrange the sale of 51616, 51622 and Class 120 59276, receiving critiscism from fellow depot staff. However they were aided to success by several well known individuals including loco owner Gerald Boden who did not wish to be directly involved due to the politics of the time, but nevertheless offerd much support and guidance. Red Triangle Society would later go on to own approximately half of the preserved Class 127 fleet.

The result of the hard work was the preservation and relocation of a 3-car hybrid 127/120 set to the growing Great Central Railway in 1984.

The vehicles were restored and returned to traffic in BR Green livery and operated as a set for many years on the GCR.

However deteriorating bodywork resulted in 51616 being taken out of traffic in the year 2000. After a period in store, a start was made on the bodywork repairs. However the increasing age of the ownership group meant progress during this 10 year period was slow.

In 2011 however, a new consortium of volunteers was formed to return the vehicle to passenger service. During the year work mechanical work was undertaken with both engines being resurrected as alongside many other miscellaneous jobs. Work on tidying up the interior and exterior was also completed.

During the year, the restoration programme of mechanical improvements continued to increase the mechanical condition of the vehicle, with particular attention paid to recertifying the air systems and brake gear. The external appearance was also improved with some patch repairs & painting and a roof dome repaint. In September, the seating was reupholstered in (donated) South West Trains red moquette.

In 2013, 51616 re-entered service with 51622and saw occasional use at special events. Sadly the upturn in fortunes was not to last long, and 51616 did not operate many services before being withdrawn from service once again and stored. No longer able to ignore their position, the owning group sold 51616 & 51622 to Grinsty Rail who continued to store it whilst investigating options for restoration and hire once complete.

Yet again, 51616 continued to fester with no activity to steady its worsening condition. After more years of store, 51616/51622 were sold again to the Helston Railway in January 2020. This time, 51616 was moved to its new home, departing the Great Central Railway after some 35 years!

On arrival at the Helston Railway the Covid-19 pandemic prevented any work on 51616 and also shut the railway for over a year. In 2021 a coat of BR Maroon paint was applied to the cab front and secondmans side after which the vehicle was put into service as a push/pull hauled trailer behind industrial locos. At first it ran partly painted but the remaining BR Green on the drivers side was painted maroon by the autumn.

51616 continues to be used as a push/pull hauled vehicle, with its cab end being a useful position for staff when propelling as the line does not currently posess run round loops.

Future Plans
To maintain in hauled service. On arrival of previous partner 51622 it has been reported that the railway wish to make the set operational as a DMU again in the future.

51616 in service at Truthall Halt, 2022. Richard Waterhouse

51616 on push/pull duty at Prospidnick, recently repainted into plain maroon, 7/10/21. Mark Lynam

51616 stands on the loading pad at Quorn shortly before leaving for Cornwall, 15/1/20. Bruce Pollard

51616/51622 stored and deteriorating in the sidings at Quorn, 3/5/19. Chris Moxon

51616/51622 stored at Quorn, 17/6/17. Carl Watson

51616/622 stored at Loughborough, shortly after being withdrawn due to vandal attacks, 23/2/14. Chris Moxon

51616/51622 in service at Swithland, 26/8/13. Joseph Connnell

51616 under restoration at Loughborough, 5/1/13. Harry Rawding

A repainted 51616 at Loughborough during TRA Convention, 7/9/12. Chris Moxon

51616 under restoration at Loughborough, 9/1/12. Liam Tinsley

51616 under restoration at Loughborough, 25/7/11. Liam Tinsley

51616 under restoration at Loughborough, 25/7/11. Liam Tinsley

One of 51616's engines, 25/7/11. Liam Tinsley

51616 under restoration at Loughborough, 15/5/11. David Beardmore

51616 during its period of slow restoration (2000-2011) at Loughborough, 11/10/09. Simon Edwards

A neglected looking M51616 at Loughborough, 17/5/08. Brian Battersby

51616, 59276 & 51622, freshly repainted in green with speed whiskers, depart Loughborough, 26/3/94. Andy ?

51616, 59276 & 51622 at Loughborough. Ian Frances

51616, 59276 & 51622 at Loughborough, 22/5/88. Robert Frise

51616, 59276 & 51622 stabled at Loughborough, July 1986. John Evans

Newly restored 51616 at Loughborough on a winter's day working 11:45 Loughborough-Rothley, 1984. Richard Waterhouse

Possibly 51616 (or 51622) waiting movement onto the Great Central after being preserved, 1984. Liam Tinsley

Reupholstered seating in donated South West Trains red moquette, 11/9/12.Liam Tinsley

51616's front saloon looking towards the cab, 12/8/11. Liam Tinsley

51616's front saloon looking towards the guards van, 12/8/11. Liam Tinsley

51616's rear saloon looking towards the cab, 12/8/11. Liam Tinsley

One of 51616's seats, 12/8/11. Liam Tinsley

One of 51616's seating bays, 12/8/11. Liam Tinsley

51616's cab, 25/7/11. Liam Tinsley

One of 51616's seats, 25/7/11. Liam Tinsley