55025 Class 121 Driving Motor Brake Second

Home Railway

North Somerset Railway

Location History

Private Site: MOD Long Marston Oct 16-Jun 21

Current Location

Private Site: Honeybourne

Private Site: Honeybourne Jun 21-Present

Current Status

Under Restoration

Current Livery

Railtrack

TRA Designation

5

Owner

DPR Carriage Group

Website

northsomsersetrailway.com

Record Last Updated

1 August 2024

Preservation Modifications
None, although the vehicle had spent time on the mainline as a route learner and video survey unit, so has been previously heavily modified from original condition for these purposes including the removal of most of the interior, partitions and the installation of a generator in the former guards compartment.

Preservation Information
In common with many of the single units, 55025 was converted to a departmental vehicle in 1993, numbered 977859. Latterly used by Balfour Beatty as a Route Learning vehicle, it was preserved in 2016 by a group aiming to reopen a section of line in Somerset for community and heritage services. Prior to preservation, 55025 had spent a period in storage at Tyseley and had been heavily stripped of parts.

With no operational site, the North Somerset Railway moved 55025 to the MOD site at Long Marston, with their other stock which included a Class 117 set. Restoration work started on 55025 immediately with the exterior seeing some work and primer paint applied. Internally, all of the partitioning and equipment put in for its departmental role were removed. The engine/generator was liberated from its mountings, but could not be removed initially due to the luggage doors having been removed and the sides plated over.

Replacement passenger doors have been obtained and are to be reinstated on the vehicle in due course as the restoration progresses.

Future Plans
To continue reversing the departmental modifications and eventually return the vehicle to passenger carrying condition.

A still somewhat sorry looking 55025, 26/3/22. Darren JB

55025 with the exterior seeing some work and primer paint applied, 28/11/16. David Hancox

The front passenger saloon after initial clearance of departmental equipment, 28/11/16. David Hancox

The front passenger saloon after initial clearance of departmental equipment, 28/11/16. David Hancox

The rear passenger saloon after initial clearance of departmental equipment, 28/11/16. David Hancox

The former guards compartment after initial clearance of departmental equipment, 28/11/16. David Hancox