52064 Class 108 Driving Motor Composite Lavatory

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Severn Valley Railway

Location History

Severn Valley Railway Mar 91-Present

Current Location

Severn Valley Railway

 

 

Current Status

Under Overhaul

Visited Railways

Peak Rail (Contract Overhaul): Jul 15-Oct 15

Current Livery

BR Green (Speed Whiskers)

 

 

TRA Designation

4

   

Partner Vehicle(s)

51941 & 59250

 

 

Owner

DMU Group West Midlands

 

 

Website

www.svr-dmu.org.uk

   

Record Last Updated

1 August 2024

   

Preservation Modifications
None.

Preservation Information
52064 was withdrawn from BR service in November 1990 and was saved by the embryonic DMU Group West Midlands, the vehicle moving to their base at the Severn Valley Railway the following year with partner 51941. The two car set was moved from Doncaster to Kidderminster (SVR) by rail via Tyseley.

In 1992 the set was increased to 3 cars with the entry to traffic of 59250.

In 2004, 52064 participated in the very successful Railcar50 event, operating as a 5-car Class 108 which included all of the SVR 108 vehicles. The highlight was a 12 car special which was the longest DMU formation ever to operate in preservation.

In 2007 52064 went into Kidderminster carriage works for a C3 overhaul, emerging in 2008.

July 2015 saw 52064 moved to Peak Rail for contract bodywork and a repaint, the vehicle returning to the SVR just three months later.

52064's bogies were sent away during 2016 for tyre turning.

In January 2018 the vehicle's No2 engine was exchanged for an overhauled example.

Prior to the start of the 2019 running season, an engineering inspection of the Class 108 vehicles based on the SVR led to the whole fleet being withdrawn from service until mechanical repairs had been undertaken, specifically to the bogies and running gear. 52064 was the first of the five affected vehicles to be remidied, and spent most of 2019 dismantled with much repair work being undertaken to the bogies. Repair work had to fit within the railway's busy Carriage & Wagon schedule which led to the work taking longer than originally hoped for.

November 2020 saw some movement on the project to return a Class 108 set to use on the Severn Valley. 52064 was formed up with 50933 in a 2-car "power twin" formation for use on staff trains to support the lines various festive services. However 50933 was not deemed suitable for any passenger services without further mechanical works, so it was returned to store at Bewdley, leaving 52064 as technically servicable but having to be returned to storage with no partner to run with.

In April 2021 the vehicle received a cab interior repaint whilst waiting for works on other vehicles to be progressed.

After five years out of traffic, 52064 made a much welcomed return to service in December 2023 paired in a 2-car set with 51941, after the latter's bogies had been overhauled. This was the key which unlocked a return to service of a complete set on the Severn Valley and heralded the first major milestone in the recovery scheme following the 2019 mass withdrawal.

After just two months, centre car 59250 rejoined the set returning it to three cars once again. Later in July 2024, 52064 was withdrawn for a repaint at Bridgnorth works.

Future Plans
To complete the repaint and return to service.

 

E52064/E59250/M51941 calls at Arley working the 13:55 Highley-Kidderminster, 2/3/24. Chris Moxon

   

E52064/M51941 at Bewdley, back in passenger service fopr the first time in several years, 29/12/23. Jason Smith

   

E52064/M50933 formed into a 2-car set at Kidderminster awaiting exam. It was planned to return these two to traffic for staff trains over the festive period, 11/11/20. Kenny Felstead

   

E52064's bogies progressing well at Kidderminster, with final painting underway, 11/19. DMU Group West Midlands

   

E52064 outside the Carriage & Wagon workshops at Kidderminster, during work to repair the bogies/running gear, 31/8/19. Mark Miller

   

E52064 in Kidderminster diesel depot preparing for exchange of the number two engine, 17/1/18. Mark Miller

   

E52064 in its normal stabling position in the Rock Siding at Bewdley, 5/6/17. Chris Moxon

   

E52064's bogie away for tyre turning, 14/3/16. Chris Field

   

E52064's bogie away for tyre turning, 14/3/16. Chris Field

   

E52064 at Kidderminster shortly after returning to service, 18/2/16. Ian Dobson

   

E52064 shortly after repainting at Rowsley, 23/9/15. Trevor Daw

   

M52064/M50933, in a rare power-twin formation, emerge from Foley Park tunnel during the diesel gala on a Kidderminster-Bewdley shuttle service, 10/14. DMU Group (West Midlands)

   

M52064 (with NE59250 anda DMBS in 3-car formation) heads all five SVR based 108 cars, stabled in the "rock siding" at Bewdley, 20/8/14. Peter Dickinson

   

M52064/NE59250/M51941 emerge from Foley Park tunnel, 17/10/13. DMU Group (West Midlands)

   

M52064/NE59250/M51941 stand at Bewdley with the 09:40 Bridgnorth-Kidderminster during the diesel gala, 6/10/12. Chris Moxon

   

M52064 leads a 3-car set also formed of 59250 & 50933 on the approach to Bewdley Tunnel during the Severn Valley Railway's 1960's event. Appropriately for the era represented, the Class 108 was operating "local" trips for most of the day between Kidderminster and Bewdley, while the full line trains were in the hands of locomotives both steam and diesel, although the Class 108 was diagrammed to operate the first round trip down the full line. The set is seen here heading south towards Kidderminster during one of the shuttles, May 2011. David Depper

   

M52064 at Bewdley during the 2010 Railcar Convention, 7/10/10. Chris Moxon

   

M52064 passing 55006 at Highley during the 2010 Railcar Convention, 7/10/10. Chris Moxon

   

M52064 at Highley during the 2010 Railcar Convention, 7/10/10. Chris Moxon

   

52064, 59250 & 51941 at Arley, 10/10/09. Simon Edwards

   

M52064 & D444 Exeter at Highley, 10/10/09. Simon Edwards

   

M52064 in the loop at Highley, 10/10/09. David Beardmore

   

52064 & 56208 at Highley, 25/4/08. Simon Edwards

   

In late 2007 52064 underwent a C3 overhaul in the Severn Valley Railway's Kidderminster Carriage Works, which included the fitting of refurbished vacuum cylinders, door lock exams, work on the toilet flooring, internal deep clean, sealing and repainting of the roof and a rub down and re-varnish of the external paintwork. This view shows the vehicle after completion, 2007. Phil Allison

   

In late 2007 52064 underwent a C3 overhaul in the Severn Valley Railway's Kidderminster Carriage Works, which included the fitting of refurbished vacuum cylinders, door lock exams, work on the toilet flooring, internal deep clean, sealing and repainting of the roof and a rub down and re-varnish of the external paintwork. This view shows the vehicle after completion, 2007. Phil Allison

   

In late 2007 52064 underwent a C3 overhaul in the Severn Valley Railway's Kidderminster Carriage Works, which included the fitting of refurbished vacuum cylinders, door lock exams, work on the toilet flooring, internal deep clean, sealing and repainting of the roof and a rub down and re-varnish of the external paintwork. This view shows the vehicle after completion, 2007. Phil Allison

   

At Bridgnorth during Railcar50, 15/10/04. Ian Francis

   

52064, 59250, 51941 at Bewdley, 31/5/04. Simon Edwards

   

52064 on the Severn Valley Railway, 14/4/01. Stuart Mackay

   

52064/59250/51941 depart Bewdley, 18/6/94. David McGuire

   

52064 & 51941 seen very soon after entering traffic, 19/10/91. Tony Willmore

 

Interior

 

The cab (drivers side) inside E52064, 2/3/24. Chris Moxon

   

The cab (secondmans side) inside E52064, 2/3/24. Chris Moxon

   

The first class saloon inside E52064, 2/3/24. Chris Moxon

   

The middle saloon inside E52064, 2/3/24. Chris Moxon

   

The rear saloon inside E52064, 2/3/24. Chris Moxon

   

In late 2007 52064 underwent a C3 overhaul in the Severn Valley Railway's Kidderminster Carriage Works, which included the fitting of refurbished vacuum cylinders, door lock exams, work on the toilet flooring, internal deep clean, sealing and repainting of the roof and a rub down and re-varnish of the external paintwork. This view shows the vehicle interior after completion. Phil Allison