51880 Class 115 Driving Motor Brake Second

Home Railway

West Somerset Railway

Location History

West Somerset RailwayAug 95-Present

Current Location

West Somerset Railway

Current Status

Operational

Current Livery

BR Green (Speed Whiskers)

TRA Designation

4

Partner Vehicle(s)

59678 & 51859

Owner

West Somerset Railway

Website

www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk

Record Last Updated

1 August 2024

Preservation Modifications
None

Preservation Information
51880 was preserved by the West Somerset Railway in 1995 for use on off peak services. The railway had previously run an interesting variety of different DMU sets but wished to standardise on maintenance, so aquired five Class 115 powercars along with several trailer cars as a direct replacement for the earlier sets.

51880 soon became part of a core 3-car set along with 59678 & 51859. It is thought that 51887 was also used when maintenance of 51880 or 51859 was required. 51880 was repainted into a non authentic carmine & cream colour scheme, and performed for many years operating WSR services.

In 2007, with the exterior of the 3-car set having become worn in appearance, 51859 was repainted into the more appropriate BR Green

2008-2013 saw 51880 operate all DMU services in 3-car formation with59678 & 51859, and could on occation be strengthened to 4-cars with the addition of 59493.

During Winter 2013/2014, 51880 received some remidial work, with the cab interior restored, bodywork completed and an overhauled engine fitted. The set then ran again until 2019 when it was withdrawn for repairs to be made to partner 51859.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the 3-car set never returned to full traffic and fell out of service requiring more repairs, seeing no use in 2021.

51880 was however given some treatment and was returned to service in August 2022. One of the noticable changes was a cab end repaint which coincided with a change from half yellow panel to speed whiskers.

By the 2024 running season, 51880 was out of traffic once again for repairs, but returned in August of that year.

Future Plans
To maintain in service.

W51880 looking good externally but withdrawn for repairs at Minehead, 29/6/24. Chris Moxon

51880/59678/51859 at Norton Fitzwarren working event shuttles to Bishops Lydeard, 6/8/22. Ian Dobson

W51880 stabled at Williton during the diesel gala, 22/6/19. Chris Moxon

W51880 in service at Minehead, 11/6/17. Carl Watson

W51880 arrives into Williton with the 18:00 Bishops Lydeard-Minehead, 3/9/16. Chris Moxon

51880 undergoes maintenance at Minehead, 7/6/13. Nigel Gould

51880 in service at the WSR, 1/6/12. Sicco Dierdrop

51880, 59678 & 51859 in service at Minehead 10/6/11. Wibble45

51880 entering the main platform at Minehead, 4/9/10. Chris Moxon

51880, 59678 & 51859 alongside Class 52 D1010 a Bishops Lydeard, 13/6/10. David Beardmore

51880, 59678 & 51859 in service on the WSR, 24/8/08. Alan Padley

A freshly repainted 51880 at Minehead, 9/5/07. Rabbi WP Thinrod

51880 stabled at Minehead, 25/4/03. Robert Frise

51880 in service, 2/4/02.

51880 at Williton, 17/8/00. David McGuire

51880, operating as a 3-car set at Williton, 2000. John Law

51880 in operation on the WSR, 1/10/99. Stuart Mackay

51880, 59678 & 51859, freshly repainted, stabled at Minehead, 25/8/96. Michael Wadman

A saloon view of 51880 at Bishops Lydeard, 27/3/18. Dave Henwood

51880's front passenger saloon, 3/9/16. Chris Moxon

51880's middle passenger saloon, 3/9/16. Chris Moxon

51880's guards van, 3/9/16. Chris Moxon