56271 Class 108 Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory
Home Railway |
Location History |
Private Site: MOD Long Marston Mar 94-Nov 11 |
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Current Location |
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Midsomer Norton Nov 11-Oct 13 |
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Current Status |
Operational |
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East Somerset Railway Oct 13-Present |
Current Livery |
BR Blue (Half Yellow Panel) |
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TRA Designation |
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Partner Vehicle(s) |
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Owner |
Mendip Traction & Rolling Stock Group |
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Website |
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Record Last Updated |
9 July 2024 |
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Preservation Modifications |
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Preservation Information This service did not immediately materialise, in the mean time 56271 was stored with much of the railway’s other reserved stock at the Ministry of Defence’s Long Marston site. When a DMU service was finally introduced in 2008, 56271 & 51909 were found to be in poor condition, so a Class 107 set was hired to fulfil the role instead, 56271 therefore continued to be stored at Long Marston with an uncertain future. However 2011 saw a surprise revival for the vehicle, in the form of a long term loan agreement with the growing Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust, who were seeking a DMU to provide passenger trains at their expanding railway at Midsomer Norton. 56271 saw rapid restoration progress both before and after the move in November 2011, with the tired graffiti stricken livery replaced by green primer along with repairs to the cab. By December the set was moving under its own power and was in use for driver training and santa specials. In 2012 & 2013, 56271 & 51909 were operating the passenger services at Midsomer Norton. In May 2013, 56271's primer was finally coated with BR green gloss complimented by a (non authentic) white bodyside stripe. The chassis was also repainted black and the bufferbeams red. September 2013 saw the vehicle sold and moved to the East Somserset Railway, where overhaul work was quickly started. 56271's middle saloon seats were reconfigured to include facing seating "bays". Tables were also fitted. In 2014, 56271 received a full mechanical exam and undertook its first test runs on the ESR in January, with interior work including the repainting of the seat frames. In April, the vehicle operated its first passenger services on the line, and continued to operate on several weekends. In October/November the rear end corrosion was tackled which required the removal and overhaul of the corridor connection. 56271 then returned to service with 51909, with rolling improvements being made all the time. January 2019 saw the vehicle moved inside for contract rebuilding of the cab front, followed by bodywork repairs and a full repaint. This had always been the plan of the owning group, who had hitherto been operating the vehicle in a rather shabby green livery that had been applied in a hurry six years previously. The work was completed rapidly and to a high standard, with the vehicle returned to traffic for the 2019 running season. In December 2023, 56271 was taken back into the shed to repaint the end and one side following a failure of the original paint. This was done rapidly and the vehicle returned one month later. The same winter, leaking water tanks above the toilet were repaired along with replacement of the rear saloon ceilings which had been damaged. 51909 & 56271 continue to regularly operate services at the East Somerset Railway and the group are always active introducing new improvements to the vehicle. |
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Future Plans |
Interior