55009 Class 122 Driving Motor Brake Second

Home Railway	Great Central Railway	Location History	Private Site: Kings Lynn (storage) Oct 96-Dec 96
Current Location	Great Central Railway		Mid Norfolk Railway Dec 96-Oct 20
Current Status	Under Restoration		Great Central Railway Oct 20-Present
Current Livery	BR Green
TRA Designation	4
Owner	Private Group
Website	facebook.com/renrailgcr
Record Last Updated	18 August 2024
Preservation Modifications The bulkhead behind the No2 end cab had windows inserted into it in 2022 to allow wheelchair bound passengers a better view of the line ahead.
Preservation Information 55009 was withdrawn from service in September 1993, and was asbestos stripped shortly afterwards at MC Metals before entering preservation. Following a period in storage at Kings Lynn, restoration at the Mid Norfolk Railway was slow and steady. However in the late 2000's a change in ownership saw acceleration in restoration progress. 2009 saw much engine work undertaken on the vehicle. Further work on the powertrains progressed over the next few years, with the focus on getting the vehicle operational. By 2012 mechanical restoration had surged forwards. May and June saw the conclusion of much work on replacement engines for the vehicle, and on 4th June 2012 the vehicle moved for the first time in preservation. On the evening of 30th September, the vehicle undertook its first "proper" test run in preservation, two return trips from Dereham to Yaxham in multiple with 59117 & 51503. A week or so later the vehicle had received a coat of green paint complete with half yellow panels. The vehicle was operating in traffic (albeit not carrying passengers) during the October "Multiple Matters" DMU event. Over the next few years some more restoration work was carried out on the mechanical side, before the project took a back seat whilst other restoration was carried out on vehicles based on the line. It was thought that 55009's restoration, which was was mainly centred on bodywork, could progress after the construction of the railway's first restoration shed was completed. 55009 was transferred back onto a severed piece of track during this time, disconnected from the rest of the railway. Meanwhile the owner's personal circumstances changed which meant they were unable to continue with 55009's restoration. 55009 was subsequently put up for sale. Despite interest from other parties, the owner decided to retain the vehicle and eventually settled upon a loan arrangement which saw 55009 move to the Great Central Railway in 2020 under the custodianship of the Renaissance Railcars group, who by taking the vehicle on were making a jump away from the Metro Cammell built vehicle that formed their fleet. On arrival 55009 was assessed in order for the new team to get a full picture of the restoration work ahead, had a few emergency repairs such as replacement of vandalised windows and was stored awaiting work to start in earnest. The following year work began, with volunteers initially concentrating on the interior restoration which was outstanding from 55009's previous restoration attempts. Progress was modest however, due to a requirement to work on other vehicles. In March 2022, 55009 entered the carriage & wagon workshops at Rothley, where contract restoration of the exterior could start. The task in hand was typical of suburban design vehicles, with much cant rail corrosion being evident at gutter level, along with general corrosion below windows and on both cab ends. Two different welding contractors were used, after the first one was unable to complete the work, but progress continued steadily. By the summer the No2 end cab and brake van were starting to be reassembled, with the bulkhead behind the driver being modified to include windows so that wheelchair bound passengers could enjoy a view of the line ahead. September saw the bogies sent away for contract tyre turning, being quickly done and returned under the vehicle. In 2023 work stopped due to the presence of asbestos in the floor. This was duly removed by more contractors with the original floor being lost in the process. A new floor was laid, again with contract labour to speed things up but the work was found to be poor. Despite the setbacks caused by dissapointing contractors, the team remained positive and 55009 was moved back to the group's normal base at Loughborough in 2024 in order for work to continue with in-house resources. The summer was spent mainly with a focus on interior reassembly and particularly making good the flooring.
Future Plans Renaissance Railcars plan to complete the restoration of 55009 to full operational status, for the first time in 55009's preservation life. With so much mechanical work already undertaken, it is expected for the remaining restoration of 55009 to be dominated by interior work and bodywork. This will of course have to be undertaken whilst also maintaining the existing fleet of six Metro Cammell vehicles resident on the line. Once completed, 55009 will run and continue to be based on the Great Central Railway. It is seen as being particlarly useful for operating the Mountsorrel branch, will be very similar to the Cornish branches that the vehicle used to ply in BR days!

	55009 back at Loughborough being restored by volunteers again in-house, after attempts to use various contractors had sadly not generated the hoped-for results, 19/5/24. Chris Moxon

	55009 inside the carriage & wagon works at Rothley, its restoration advancing well. Evidence of the repaired steelwork around the cab end is in evidence at this end. The vehicle is lifted, to allow the bogies to be removed for contract tyre turning, 10/9/22. Chris Moxon

	55009 inside the carriage & wagon works at Rothley, its restoration advancing well. Evidence of in progress steelwork repairs around the cab end is in evidence at this end. The vehicle is lifted, to allow the bogies to be removed for contract tyre turning, 10/9/22. Chris Moxon

	55009 inside the carriage & wagon works at Rothley, its restoration advancing well. The vehicle is lifted, to allow the bogies to be removed for contract tyre turning, allowing for this unusual view upwards where the bogie would normally be located, 10/9/22. Chris Moxon

	55009 getting a good wash to improve its initial appearence, 20/10/20. Bruce Pollard

	55009 in the sidings at Loughborough, where it was being assessed and a few essential tasks (such as the replacement of a vandalised window) undertaken prior to putting the vehicle into storage to awaiti the completion of (Class 101) 56342's restoration, 10/10/20. Renaissance Railcars

	55009 being unloaded at Quorn & Woodhouse, starting a new chapter in its life at the Great Central Railway under a new loan/custodianship agreement, 7/10/20. Scott Manley

	55009 loaded up to depart Dereham, 7/10/20.Chris Nesbitt

	A trackside view of 55009 which was waiting for its restoration to re-commence in earnest, 21/5/16. Chris Moxon

	55009 in the yard at Dereham, 1/11/14. Chris Moxon

	55009 at Wymondham on its first day on a public service, 20/10/12

	55009 having moved for the first time in preservation on its isolated panel of track, behind the resoration team which made it happen, 4/6/12. East Anglian Railcar Group

	55009 at Dereham, 7/5/12. East Anglian Railcar Group

	Newly installed engine on 55009, 7/5/12. East Anglian Railcar Group

	55009 at Dereham, 30/7/09. Chris Moxon

	55009 at Dereham, 2/7/08. Chris Moxon

	55009 at Dereham, 2/7/08. Chris Moxon

	55009's cab at Dereham, 2/7/08. Chris Moxon

	55009's underframe at Dereham, 2/7/08. Chris Moxon

	55009 at Dereham, 15/3/08. Simon Edwards

	55009 at Dereham, 15/3/08. Simon Edwards

	55009 under restoration at Dereham. Martin Reeves

	55009 on the Mid-Norfolk Railway, 16/9/01. Paul Moxon

	55009 at Dereham shortly after arrival, 27/7/97. On tour with the class 13 army

Interior

	Still a long way to go restoring the interior, however a new, asbestos free, floor had been fitted, 19/5/24. Chris Moxon

	Still a long way to go restoring the interior, however a new, asbestos free, floor had been fitted, 19/5/24. Chris Moxon

	55009's No2 end driving controls, 17/6/12. Chris Moxon

	55009's No2 end cab, 17/6/12. Chris Moxon

	Newly installed air axle panel in 55009's No2 end cab, 17/6/12. Chris Moxon

	55009's guards van, under restoration, 17/6/12. Chris Moxon

	Cab view of 55009, drivers side, 5/7/11. Chris Moxon

	Cab view of 55009, secondmans side, 5/7/11. Chris Moxon

	Under the cab desk of 55009, 5/7/11. Chris Moxon

	View of the main passenger saloon, 5/7/11. Chris Moxon

	View of the main passenger saloon, 5/7/11. Paul Moxon