141108 - 55528 Class 141 Driving Motor Second Lavatory

Home Railway

Colne Valley Railway

Location History

Mid Norfolk Railway Jul 00-May 05

Current Location

Colne Valley Railway

Colne Valley Railway May 05-Present

Current Status

Operational

Current Livery

Blue & Grey

TRA Designation

4

Partner Vehicle(s)

55508

Owner

Colne Valley Diesels Ltd

Website

None

Record Last Updated

7 May 2018

Preservation Modifications
None

Preservation Information
55528 was preserved as a complete set with partner 55508. Unlike first generation railcars, it was far more common for Class 141 units to operate in their as-built formations, 55528 & 55508 are therefore preserved as a complete 2-car set, more commonly known by its set number: 141108.

55528 & 55508 were one of the four sets to be saved for preservation, and were moved to the Mid Norfolk Railway having been purchased by Carter’s Coaches of Ipswich.

In October 2002, sufficient work on the set had been completed to enable its first move since withdrawal. 141108 became the first second generation DMU to operate in preservation.

However the vehicles were later deemed as unsuitable for the line, and in 2005 55528 & 55508 were relocated to the Colne Valley Railway, under custodianship of Colne Valley Diesels Ltd.

Under the new arrangement, much restoration work was completed ion 55528 and the set re-entered service in July 2006.

In 2007, the set was sold to custodians Colne Valley Diesels Ltd.

In June 2010, the vehicle was repainted into BR Blue & Grey livery, which suits the vehicle well despite the fact that most Class 141s never carried this colour scheme.

After several years of use, 55528 fell out of favour as a few electrical issues and other required work prevented it from operating reliably so it was withdrawn from service. The vehicle was put up for sale but with no takers was eventually taken off the market.

During 2017 & 2018 repairs were completed and 55528 returned to service in Spring 2018.

55528 & 55508 remain in traffic on the Colne Valley Railway, and operate occasionally on off-peak services and at diesel events.

Future Plans
At least a part-repaint is planned to improve the external appearance of the vehicle now that it is operational again.

141108 (55528 & 55508) stabled at Castle Headingham, 23/8/12. Ian McLoughlin

141108 (55528 & 55508) in service at the Colne Valley Railway, fresh from a repaint into Blue & Grey, 4/7/10. Andy Neil

141108 stabled at Castle Headingham, 29/8/09. Nigel Gould

141108 (55528 & 55508) in operation during the 2008 TRA convention, 25/10/08. Chris Moxon

141108 (55528 & 55508) in operation during the 2008 TRA convention, 25/10/08. Chris Moxon

141108 (55528 & 55508) in operation during the 2008 TRA convention, 25/10/08. Chris Moxon

141108 (55528 & 55508) in operation during the 2008 TRA convention, 25/10/08. Chris Moxon

141108 (55528 & 55508) in operation during the 2008 TRA convention, 25/10/08. Chris Moxon

141108 (55528 & 55508) during a mini gala on the Colne Valley Railway, 2/7/06. Tony Fox

55528 meets Class 121 55033 during a mini gala on the Colne Valley Railway, 2/7/06. Tony Fox

55528 meets Class 121 55033 during a mini gala on the Colne Valley Railway, 2/7/06. Tony Fox

141108 (55528 & 55508) soon after arriving at the Colne Valley Railway, 10/5/05. Evan Bailey

A faded 141108 (55528 & 55508) stabled at Dereham, 19/8/04. Paul Moxon

141108 (55528 & 55508) at the Mid-Norfolk Railway, 16/9/01. Stuart Mackay

The main saloon, 25/10/08. Chris Moxon