51933 Class 108 Driving Motor Brake Second
Home Railway |
Location History |
Peak Rail Oct 93-Aug 98 |
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Current Location |
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Swanage Railway Aug 98-Jan 19 |
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Current Status |
Operational |
Llangollen RailwayJan 19-Present |
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Current Livery |
BR Green (Half Yellow Panel) |
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TRA Designation |
Visited Railways |
Eastleigh Works (Contract Overhaul) Jan 10-Jul 10 |
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Partner Vehicle(s) |
Eastleigh Works (Contract Overhaul) Mar 14-Feb 15 |
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Owner |
Private |
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Website |
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Record Last Updated |
1 August 2024 |
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Preservation Modifications |
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Preservation Information After arriving at Swanage 51933 was painted green and entered traffic operating off-peak services at the line. This involved use both in the low season when steam wasn't viable and as a second train during the mid season. During the high summer, 51933 was used on an unusual (for a preserved line) Friday/Saturday night shuttle trains which operated between 6pm and midnight! This ideal regular running all year round enabled the set to operate for many years reliably. In 2008 the original Peak Rail "empire" was broken up and all original vehicles sold on to new owners. This included 51933/56504 but the change in circumstance affected these vehicles less than the sets at Peak Rail, because as 51933 was already on loan, the vehicle was simply sold to the hirer and the set continued in service at Swanage until poor condition resulted in the vehicle being stored in 2009 awaiting overhaul. In 2010, with 51933 now owned by the railway, the decision was taken to fully overhaul the vehicle to ensure its operational future on the line. This was done on a contract basis between January and July. Interestingly, 51933 was hauled to Eastleigh Works from Swanage by rail, but due to problems had to return by road. The overhaul consisted of a full external, internal and mechanical refresh which included a bodyside and roof repaint, engine repairs and reupholstered seating amongst other work. Between 2010 & 2014, 51933/56504 returned to its role as one of the primary operating sets on the Swanage Railway. In March 2014, 51933 was moved by rail once again to Eastleigh Works for a second overahul on a contract basis. The vehicle returned early the following year and re-entered service at Swanage. By 2018, 51933/56504 had been declared surplus to requirements by the Swanage Railway who, citing a shortage of space on the railway, felt that their Class 117 and Class 121 sets would be able to handle all services once they had been returned from Eastleigh where they had been receiving overhaul work to return them to mainline operating condition. 51933/56504 were consequently put up for sale and remained on the market for some time, continuing the operate Swanage Railway services. By early 2019 the set had found a private buyer who gave custody to the Llangollen Railcar Group. 51933 moved to its new home at the Llangollen Railway shortly afterwards and was immediately prepared for service. Sadly 51933 was the victim of a graffiti attack in August 2021 and had to receive some attention to reverse the damage. 2022 was a particularly busy year with 51933 doing its share of over 9,000 miles of running at the railway, which post-Covid had been using DMU's more than ever before. 51933/56504 continue to operate as part of the Llangollen Railcars fleet under a long term custodianship agreement. |
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Future Plans |