51919 Class 108 Driving Motor Brake Second

Home Railway	Garw Valley Railway	Location History	Swanage Railway Sep 93-Nov 03
Current Location	Garw Valley Railway		Barry Island RailwayNov 03-Jun 09
Current Status	Operational		Garw Valley Railway Jun 09-Present
Current Livery	BR Blue (Half Yellow Panel)
TRA Designation	4
Partner Vehicle(s)	52048
Owner
Website	None
Record Last Updated	16 April 2023
Preservation Modifications None
Preservation Information 51919 was preserved with its partner 52048 in 1993 by the Purbeck Diesel Support Group who wished to operate the set on the expanding Swanage Railway in Dorset. After arrival, the vehicle was made operational and painted into non standard Southern Green livery. 51919 was launched into traffic in 1995, following which it worked many of the Swanage Railway’s diesel diagrams. Some time later, with its duties largely taken over by Class 108 set 51933/56504 (also resident on the line on a long term loan), the set was removed from traffic and put into storage. In 2003, 51919 had been sold to the Barry Island Railway where it was returned to traffic sporting a new colour scheme of BR Blue. In 2008, the lease on the Barry Island Railway was terminated, and the DMU fleet of three sets was disbanded. 51919 was put up for sale, and was purchased the following year along with partner 52048 by the embryonic Garw Valley Railway. Since arrival at the Garw Valley Railway some interior work was completed on the vehicle, involving refurbishment of the seating, seat frames, flooring, walls, roof and window surrounds. The vehicle was also periodically started up to keep the mechanics servicable. In 2015, 51919 & 52048 were put up for sale, but strangely were withdrawn shortly afterwards after the sale of other stock. A long period without news followed, before in April 2022 it was revealed that volunteers had restarted limited work to the interior and mechanical equipment on 51919 & 52048.
Future Plans The interior and mechanical refurbishment process is ongoing until the railway opens for passenger operations, when it is hoped that 51919 will be used both in its own right and as loco hauled stock.

	51919 receiving work in the platform, 9/7/22. Garw Valley Railway

	51919 seen outside of the shed, 9/7/22. Garw Valley Railway

	51919 seen in its usual location inside the shed, 4/22. Garw Valley Railway

	51919 stabled inside the shed, 2015. Stephen Pearce

	51919 outside being shunted, 2015. Stephen Pearce

	51919 & 52048 at the Garw Valley Railway, 2009. Nick Weedon

	51919 & 52048 at the Garw Valley Railway, 2009. Nick Weedon

	51919 during the move from barry to the Garw Valley Railway, June 2009. Nick Weedon

	51919 during the move from barry to the Garw Valley Railway, June 2009. Nick Weedon

	51919 during the move from barry to the Garw Valley Railway, June 2009. Nick Weedon

	51919 during the move from barry to the Garw Valley Railway, June 2009. Nick Weedon

	51919 during the move from barry to the Garw Valley Railway, June 2009. Nick Weedon

	51919 during the move from barry to the Garw Valley Railway, June 2009. Nick Weedon

	51919 during the move from barry to the Garw Valley Railway, June 2009. Nick Weedon

	51919 in the yard of Barry Depot, 6/5/07. Daniel Adkins

	51919 in the yard of Barry Depot, 6/5/07. Daniel Adkins

	51919 & 52048, 27/8/06. Simon Edwards

	With partner 52048, seen entering Barry Island station on the Vale of Glamorgan Railway during the Barry Festival of Transport, 12/6/05. Tom Clift

	51919 & 52048, 11/6/05. Simon Edwards

	51919 & 52048, 12/6/04. Simon Edwards

	51919 in Barry shed soon after arrival from the Swanage Railway, 23/11/03. Stuart Mackay