141103 - 55503 Class 141 Driving Motor Second (Scrapped)

Last Location	Weardale Railway	Location History	Weardale Railway Apr 01-Mar 18
Current Status	Scrapped at Weardale Railway Mar 18
Last Livery	Non Standard Chocolate & Cream
Partner Vehicle(s)	55523
Record Last Updated	20 October 2019
Preservation Modifications None
Preservation Information 55503 was preserved as a complete set with partner 55523. Unlike first generation railcars, it was far more common for Class 141 units to operate in their as-built formations, 55503 & 55523 were therefore bought as a complete 2-car set, more commonly known by their set number: 141103. 55503 was purchased moved to the growing Weardale Railway in 2001, who were interested in acquiring reliable rolling stock for an all-year-round community service. 55503 was repainted into a non authentic Chocolate & Cream livery, with Weardale Railway branding, and entered service operating a very significant amount of the Weardale’s passenger services from the mid to late 2000’s. 2010-2012 was the peak period for the Weardale’s Bishop Aukland-Stanhope community service which in the end proved to be a failure. 55503 was subjected to very large (by preservation standards) levels of use during this period, and gearbox problems and other component failures started to become an issue for the vehicle. In January 2012, the Weardale discontinued its community service, and the workload for 55503 was therefore significantly reduced, however regular continued use would require investment which would not be forthcoming. 55503 last operated in 2014 when it appeared in an episode of TV drama Vera. It was then placed into storage due to scrap sized wheelsets and other long running issues. In March 2018 the vehicle was extracted from store and scrapped along with partner 55523 and spares donor 55510. It is not known if they were cut on site or transported to a scrapyard for final dismantling. The disposal of these three vehicles left the Weardale railway with no 2nd generation vehicles. The loss of 55503 left just two Class 141 sets in preservation.

	141103 (55503 & 55523) in service on the Weardale Railway, 15/6/10. David Beardmore

	141103 (55503 & 55523) at Stanhope, 23/6/09.Anon Mouse

Interior

The main passenger saloon inside 55503, 23/6/09.Anon Mouse