51669 Class 115 Driving Motor Brake Second

Home Railway	Midland Railway Butterley	Location History	Mid Norfolk Railway (County School) Mar 93-Apr 97
Current Location	Midland Railway Butterley		Colne Valley Railway Apr 97-Nov 99
Current Status	Stored		Spa Valley Railway Nov 99-Mar 19
Current Livery	BR Green (Speed Whiskers)		Midland Railway Butterley Mar 19-Present
TRA Designation	5
Partner Vehicle(s)	51849
Owner
Website	None
Record Last Updated	1 August 2024
Preservation Modifications None
Preservation Information 51669 was preserved in 1993 as a 3-car set with 59664 & 51849 at the Mid Norfolk Railway’s northern outpost at County School station. Restoration work on the vehicle was immediately undertaken, with the engines running shortly after arrival. By 1994 the vehicle was operating trains on the short running line. Between 1994 & 1996 the vehicle was repainted into BR Green with speed whiskers. Purchased by Suburban Preservation, the set was moved to the Colne Valley Railway in 1997 where it joined a large fleet of suburban vehicles from several classes. The set was later split up with centre car being moved elsewhere. 51669 & 51849 were sold and moved to the Spa Valley Railwayin November 1999. Since arrival at the Spa Valley a long term restoration has been undertaken. 51669 was selected from the two vehicles to be tacked first and received a mechanical and body overhaul, completed by 2007. 51669 was now mechanically operational, and undertook test runs with both 115 partner 51849 and Class 101 DTCL 56408. However the vehicle did not make its passenger carrying debut due to interuior work still being required. During the period 2008-2012, 51669 was stored at Groombridge while the limited resources of the volunteering group focused on the full restoration of the line's Class 207 DEMU. In December 2012, 51669 was moved back to Tonbridge Wells West for the restoration to recommence. The vehicle had suffered a graffiti attack during its time in store. However during 2013 the restoration was once again halted due to other commitments. After another five years in storage, with a further deterioration in condition, the owning group deemed the restoration too geater task and 51669 (with partner 51849) was put up for sale. In 2019, with a suitable buyer found, 51669 & 51849 were moved to their new home at the Midland Railway Butterley. 51669 remains in storage at Butterley, awaiting its restoration to begin.
Future Plans Once other restoration projects are completed, it is intended to fully restore 51669 back to operating condition, after which it can join other Derby built sets already resident and in service at the Midland Railway Butterley.

	51669 being overwhelmed by vegetation in the sidings at Swanwick Junction, 21/7/24. Aaron Browning

	51669 being made watertight, 27/4/19. Gareth Coleman

	51669 shortly after arrival at Butterley, 17/3/19. Chris Moxon

	51669 inside the shed, 3/8/13. Nigel Gould

	51669 inside the shed, 3/8/13. Nigel Gould

	Corridor view of 51669 at Tonbridge Wells West, 18/12/12. Mark Jenkins

	51669 having had much of the graffiti removed, 16/12/12. Mark Jenkins

	51669 having arrived at Tonbridge Wells West for the restoration to recommence, 7/12/12. Mark Jenkins

	51669 in the shed at Tonbridge Wells West for the restoration to recommence, 7/12/12. Mark Jenkins

	51669 ready to depart Bichden Jct, test running with Class 101 DTC 56408, 2007. Stuart Pay

	M51669 (and presumbaly M51849) at Castle Headingham, 11/10/99. David McGuire

	M51669, now fully repainted into BR Green with speed whiskers, 8/4/96. Chris Boon

	M51669, now fully repainted into BR Green with speed whiskers, 8/4/96. Chris Boon

	51669, 59664 & 51849 being prepared for a trip down the running line at County School, 30/5/94. Chris Boon

	51669, 59664 & 51849 being prepared for a trip down the running line at County School, 30/5/94. Chris Boon

	51669, 59664 & 51849 depart County School, 30/5/94. Chris Boon

	51669, 59664 & 51849 at the end of the running line at County School, 30/5/94. Chris Boon

	51669 at County School, 1993. Richard Cullen/Norfolk by Rail

Interior

	51669's cab shortly after arrival at Butterley, 17/3/19. Chris Moxon

	51669's cab shortly after arrival at Butterley, 17/3/19. Chris Moxon

	51669's main saloon shortly after arrival at Butterley, 17/3/19. Chris Moxon

	51669's main saloon shortly after arrival at Butterley, 17/3/19. Chris Moxon

	51669's rear saloon shortly after arrival at Butterley, 17/3/19. Chris Moxon

	51669's guards van shortly after arrival at Butterley, 17/3/19. Chris Moxon

	51669's passenger saloon after some seating was removed for repairs, 16/12/12. Mark Jenkins

	51669's interior, 12/12/12. Mark Jenkins

	51669's interior, 12/12/12. Mark Jenkins