51950 Class 108 Driving Motor Brake Second

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Peak Rail

Location History

Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway Jan 92-Jul 12

Current Location

Peak Rail

 

Telford Steam Railway Jul 12-Jun 23

Current Status

Operational

 

Peak Rail Jun 23-Present

Current Livery

Non Authentic Chocolate & Cream

 

 

TRA Designation

4

   

Partner Vehicle(s)

52062

 

 

Owner

Private

 

 

Website

facebook.com/groups/167808232797045

   

Record Last Updated

18 August 2024

   

Preservation Modifications
None

Preservation Information
51950 was withdrawn from Tyseley in June 1991 with partner 52062 and was preserved as a set the following year at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. Like many DMUs, the vehicle was seen as providing a good economical form of traction capable of sustainable off peak running during the low season.

By the late 1990’s 51950 had been repainted into green with speed whiskers and was operational, providing winter services on the GWSR.

51950 performed this role for several seasons before being withdrawn from traffic in 2002 requiring overhaul. Sadly this was not forthcoming and the set was placed into store at Winchcombe for nearly 10 years.

In 2010 however 51950 was moved closer to the workshops at Toddington, it was believed that a return to service was in the pipeline. However this proved to be unfounded and the vehicles were put up for sale.

In 2012 51950 & 52062 were purchased for use on the Telford Steam Railway being relocated in July. On arrival it was noted that 51950 was mechanically more complete than 52062, but the interior was in poorer condition. After only 10 days of being on site 51950 moved under its own power for the first time in 4 years. During the autumn the cab was stripped and rotten metal removed. New metal was welded in then filled and sanded to original profile. The interior of the cab was cleaned and rust-proofed. The original BR grey painted cab panels were replaced with new Formica cut to the original patterns.

During 2013, work moved onto replacing damged ceiling panels in the interior. Externally the rotten cab end was cut out and repairs made to the framework before a new skin was fitted where required. The whole area was then finished off in yellow.

2014 saw 51950 continue to progress externally, the roof was repainted and the vehicle bodysides painted in primer in May. The following month saw the vehicle in full chocolate & cream colours with the repaint completed in September.

In 2015, 51950 saw the renewing of the interior completed, testing and adjustment of the braking system and a full mechanical exam. It then entered service in April.

51950 & 52062 ran for an eight year period (Covid excepting) but running dates were few and far between, particularly in the 2020's, with a limited number of open days being shared by an increasing stable of different traction based on the line. Some years 51950 was used on just one day or weekend in public service.

In June 2023 a deal was struck for 51950 & 52062 to move to Peak Rail on hire under a new support group the "Rowsley Class 108 DMU Group". Members of that group purchased the vehicles the following year. Over a 12 month period a variety of minor works were undertaken to 51950 to prepare it for Peak Rail service, and it debuted at their diesel gala in April 2024.

Future Plans
To maintain in service and continue to make improvement works.

 

M51950/M52062 shunting back on shed after working one of its first passenger services at Peak Rail, as part of their Diesel Gala, 12/4/24. Chris Moxon

   

M51950/M52062 on a cold and crisp morning being prepared for a debut into Peak Rail service the following month, 24/3/24. David Horton

   

M51950/M52062 at Rowsley South yard shortly after arrival from Telford, 23/6/23. Adam Bennett

   

M51950 stands at Horsehay & Dawley station, 10/9/22. David Bellamy

   

M51950 nose to nose with 144013 at Spring Village in the snow, 24/1/21. Ben Hopkinson

   

M51950 stabled at Spring Vilage. It has not worked during 2020 due to the Covid-19 situation, 9/2/20. Chris Moxon

   

M51950/M52062 stabled at Spring Village. The set ran for just one weekend in passenger service that year, 15/9/19. Ian Heighway

   

M51950/M52062 in service, 10/9/16. Andy Miles

   

M51950/M52062 stabled at Spring Village, 1/11/15. Chris Moxon

   

M51950/M52062 on the new extention at Lawley Village, 4/4/15. Alistair Grieve

   

M51950 (right) stabled at Spring Village, 3/4/15. Zoe Hunter

   

M51950/M52062 seen at Lawley Common after the completion of the repaint, 19/9/14. Ian Heighway

   

51950/52062 on test at Lawley Common, 27/7/14. Ian Heighway

   

51950 with newly applied Chocolate & Cream colours, 16/6/14. Ian Heighway

   

Corridor view of 51950 with the Chocolate now applied, 14/6/14. Ian Heighway

   

Corridor view of 51950 in primer, 13/6/14. Ian Heighway

   

51950 with yellow applied to the cab end and the bodysides in primer, 31/5/2014. Ian Heighway

   

W51950 after its cab end repairs were completed, 2013. Ian Heighway

   

The rotten cab end being attended to: new panels welded in and in prmer, 2013. Ian Heighway

 

 

The rotten cab end being attended to: panels cut back, framework repaired and in primer, 2013. Ian Heighway

   

Some of the effects of a long period in storage at the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway have recently been recorded. Here, cab corner corrosion is seen on W51950, 6/6/11. Trevor Daw

   

Some of the effects of a long period in storage at the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway have recently been recorded. Here, cab corrosion is seen on W51950, 6/6/11. Trevor Daw

   

Some of the effects of a long period in storage at the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway have recently been recorded. Here, the flaking number is seen on W51950, 6/6/11. Trevor Daw

   

W51950/W52062 in store, 28/8/10. David Beardmore

   

W51950 at Toddington on the GWR, 21/4/02. FreeFoto

   

W51950/W52062 stabled at Toddington, 8/95. Hugh Llewelyn

   

W51950/W52062 at Toddington 19/3/95. David McGuire

   

W51950, 5/6/94. John Cordrey

   

Now repainted into green, W51950 on the GWR. Jim Poor

   

51950 at Toddington on the GWR, 25/2/92. Robert Frise

 

Interior

 

The cab of 51950, 1/11/15. Chris Moxon

   

The cab of 51950, 1/11/15. Chris Moxon

   

The front saloon of 51950, 1/11/15. Chris Moxon

   

The middle saloon of 51950, 1/11/15. Chris Moxon

   

The guards compartment of 51950, 1/11/15. Chris Moxon