52006 Class 107 Driving Motor Brake Second

Home Railway

Midsomer Norton

Location History

Richborough Power Station Feb 93-Jul 94

Current Location

Midsomer Norton

East Kent RailwayJul 94-Oct 96

Current Status

Operational

Eden Valley Railway Oct 96-Dec 97

Current Livery

BR Green

Crewe Electric Depot Dec 97-Dec 98

TRA Designation

4

Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway Dec 98-Sep 08

Partner Vehicle(s)

52025

Midsomer Norton Apr 22-Present

Owner

Private Consortium

Website

Visited Railways

Wensleydale Railway May 03-Jul 06

Record Last Updated

18 August 2024

Avon Valley Railway Sep 08-Apr 22

Preservation Modifications
The seating has been rearranged into facing bays, many of which have tables fitted. This has reduced the seating capacity of the vehicle from the original 52 to 42.

Preservation Information
52006 was preserved in 1993 by The East Kent Railway Museum as part of a 2-car set with partner 52031after withdrawl in October of that year. Sadly 52006 was damaged in transit as a result of a low-loader accident. However repairs were undertaken at its first home the East Kent Railway and much work went into reversing the effects of British Rail's "running-down" of the vehicles.

In 1997 when the East Kent decided to sell much of its rolling stock, 52006 & 52031 were purchased by Class 107 Ltd. Much work involving overhauling the mechanics and the rebuilding of one of the engines was completed, with the interior being refurbished and new lino fitted.

52006 entered service in BR Green with 52031at its new home the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway. In 2000, the set was returned to its historically original 3-car formation with the addition of TSL 59791.

In 2003, 52006 was removed from the set and sent on hire to the embryonic Wensleydale Railway formed with a new partner 52025. The set returned to Embsay in 2006.

In 2008, Class 107 Ltd vacated Embsay, relocating to the Tanat Valley. However the railway did not have the space for all three sets in the fleet and consequently 52006 & 52025were sent on a long term hire to theAvon Valley Railway.

After arriving at the Avon Valley Railway the unit proved useful operating off peak traffic at the start and end of the season as well as evening fish & chip specials. 52006 operated for most seasons between 2009 and 2021, after which Class 107 Ltd decided to sell all the Class 107 vehicles in their care. It was expected by many that 52006 & 52025 may have been purchased to continue operating at the Avon Valley but instead they were sold to a private consortium of members at the Somerset & Dorset Heritage Railway Tust based at Midsomer Norton.

In April 2022, 52006 was transported to its new home and was immediately undertaking test runs. Before the end of the month the set had been launched into passenger traffic, making its debut at their Spring Gala event.

Over the 2024 season, the front saloon was closed for refurbishment works.

52006/52025 now runs throughout the summer season and continues to be useful on operating days which don't see enough visitors to support more expensive motive power.

Future Plans
To maintain in service.

52006/52025 at Midsomer Norton during a running day, 30/6/24. Chris Moxon

A corridor end view of 52006 at Midsomer Norton during a running day, 30/6/24. Chris Moxon

Sc52006/Sc52025 undertaking test runs at Midsomer Norton, 11/4/22. Somerset & Dorset Railway

Sc52006/Sc52025 in service on a nice sunny day, 29/6/19. Paul Weston

Sc52006/Sc52025 in service at Bitton, 15/2/18. Neil Jones

52006 separated from its partner at Bitton, 8/4/17. Carl Watson

Sc52006/Sc52025 depart Bitton, 12/3/16. Paul Jones

Sc52006/Sc52025 in service at Bitton, 12/7/15. Geoff Clark

Sc52006/Sc52025 await their next duties during the AVR's annual Diesel Gala, 12/4/14. Nick Wilcock

Sc52006/Sc52025 in action at the Avon Valley's diesel gala, 13/4/13. Chris Walker

Sc52006 stabled at Bitton, 12/8/12. Nigel Gould

Sc52006 undegoes repairs at Bitton, 15/5/11. Q47541M

Stabled at Bitton, 28/12/10. Chris Moxon

52006 undergoing a repaint at Embsay, 19/7/08. Brian Robertson

52006 leads a 3-car set on the Wensleydale line, 8/4/04. John Carter

52006 in service at the Wensleydale Railway, 15/9/03. David Beardmore

52006 on the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway, 15/10/00. Stuart Mackay

52006 departing Embsay, 23/8/99. John Carter

52006 on the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway, 12/6/99. David McGuire

SC52006/SC52031 stabled in the sidings at Shepherdswell, shorty after arrival from storage at Richborough Power Station, 1994. Paul Sturm

52006's cab, driver's side, during a running day, 30/6/24. Chris Moxon

52006's cab, secondman's side, during a running day, 30/6/24. Chris Moxon

52026's front saloon, during refurbishment work, during a running day, 30/6/24. Chris Moxon

52006's middle saloon, during a running day. Note the added tables and facing arrangement of seating, 30/6/24. Chris Moxon

52006's guards van, during a running day, 30/6/24. Chris Moxon

52006's guards van, during a running day, 30/6/24. Chris Moxon