52025 Class 107 Driving Motor Composite Lavatory

Home Railway

Midsomer Norton

Location History

Swindon & Cricklade Railway Aug 96-Feb 02

Current Location

Midsomer Norton

Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway Jan 06-Sep 08

Current Status

Operational

Midsomer Norton Apr 22-Present

Current Livery

BR Green

TRA Designation

4

Visited Railways

Bridgend Valley Railway Feb 02-Jul 02

Partner Vehicle(s)

52006

Cardiff Cathays (Contract Restoration) Jul 02-Dec 02

Owner

Private Consortium

Wensleydale Railway Dec 02-Jan 06

Website

Avon Valley Railway Sep 08-Apr 22

Record Last Updated

9 July 2024

Preservation Modifications
The second class seating has been rearranged into facing bays, many of which have tables fitted. This has reduced the second class seating capacity of the vehicle from the original 53 to 46. The first class remains original. The luggage racks have been removed from the rear saloon.

Preservation Information
52025 was preserved in 1994 by Matthew Smith as part of a 2-car set with partner 52005 at the Swindon & Cricklade Railway.

The set did not operate there however, and was sold in 2001 to Class 107 Ltd, who immediately split up the set.

In 2002 52025 briefly visited the Bridgend Valley Railway for some restoration work before moving again to Cardiff Cathays where a body lift and some brakegear repairs were undertaken.

52025 was then sent on hire to the Wensleydale Railway where it operated its first passenger trains, paired with DMBS52006.

In 2005, 52025 was replaced by a Class 108 vehicle, and was moved to Class 107 Ltd's base, the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway.

The following year 52025 was reunited with partner 52006 when that vehicle also returned from the Wensleydale Railway.

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 52025 & 52006 were 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. 52025 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 52025 & 52006 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, 52025 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.

52025/52006 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.

52025/52006 carrying the Railcar 70 anniversary headboard at Midsomer Norton during a running day, 30/6/24. Chris Moxon

A corridor end view of 52025 at Midsomer Norton during a running day, 30/6/24. Chris Moxon

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

Sc52025 being unloaded at Midsomer Norton, 5/4/22. Somerset & Dorset Railway

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

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

Sc52025 partially repainted, 23/7/17. Chris Walker

Sc52025/Sc52006 stabled at Bitton, 12/4/14. Stephen Hughes

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

52025 under repair at Bitton, 3/11/12. Chris Walker

Sc52025 stabled at Bitton, 15/5/11. Q47541M

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

Stabled at Bitton, 20/8/09. Roger Budd

52025 stabled at Embsay, 19/7/08. Brian Robertson

At Leeming Bar, 15/4/04. James Addison

52025 leads a 3-car set on the Wensleydale line, 8/4/04. John Carter

52025 in service at Leeming Bar, 15/9/03. David Beardmore

52025 on the Swindon & Cricklade Railway, 1/12/01. Stuart Mackay

52025's cab, driver's side, during a running day, 30/6/24. Chris Moxon

52025's cab, secondman's side, during a running day, 30/6/24. Chris Moxon

52025's first class saloon, during a running day, 30/6/24. Chris Moxon

52025's middle saloon, during a running day. Note the added tables and facing arrangement of seating, 30/6/24. Chris Moxon

52025's rear saloon, during a running day. Note the added tables, facing arrangement of seating and removed luggage racks, 30/6/24. Chris Moxon

A view of one of 52025's rearranged seating bays with added table, 30/6/24. Chris Moxon

The first class area inside SC52025, 8/8/12. David Slater