56301 Class 100 Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory
Home Railway |
Location History |
Chasewater Railway Jun 73-Oct 93 |
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Current Location |
Mid Norfolk Railway (County School) |
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Mid Norfolk Railway Nov 96-Aug 99 |
Current Status |
Static Display |
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Mid Norfolk Railway (County School) Aug 99-Present |
TRA Designation |
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Current Livery |
BR Green (Speed Whiskers) |
Visited Railways |
Sellafield Uranium Fuel Centre (Storage) Oct 93-95 |
Partner Vehicle(s) |
None |
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King's Lynn Sugar Factory (Storage) 95-Nov 96 |
Owner |
Mid Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust |
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Website |
None |
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Record Last Updated |
18 August 2024 |
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Preservation Modifications |
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Preservation Information By 1993 56301 was surplus to requirements and began a three year journey to the Mid Norfolk Railway where it moved between several storage sites & several owners whilst continuing to deteriorate in condition. In 1996 it was thoroughly cleaned ready for proposed use by the National Diesel Railcar Museum project, which later collapsed. Having been threatened with scrapping several times it was eventually sold the Mid Norfolk Preservation trust in 1999 and moved to their northern outpost, County School, which was cut off from the rest of the line. After arriving at County School 56301 received cosmetic attention and the interior was restored with a seating area and exhibition in the rear saloon. In 2011, 56301 was declared contaminated by an asbestos inspector, the interior being designated a no-go zone to both the public and restoration volunteers. This trigged a period of encapulation and bodywork restoration to make the vehicle useful as a static vehicle once again. The bodywork started with the replacement of rotten material on the cab front end. During 2012, 56301 was transformed on the secondman's side with the application of a coat of green paint, concluding the bodywork repairs which had been undertaken on that side. Work on the cab front also continued over that year. 2013 saw similar work undertaken on the driver's side of the vehicle. Work on the cab front also continued over that year. The interior was also stripped of its seats, the heater ducting repainted and carpets fitted to the second class saloons. In 2014 the refresh work was completed on the No1 side which emerged in green to match the No2 side, and the following year the exterior refresh was completed with the conclusion of work on the cab and corridor ends, making 56301 a presentable static display vehicle once again. A rather strange non-standard route indicator was fitted to the front end during 2016. In 2023 & 2024 further conservation work was undertaken to 56301 to maintain the vehicle's external cosmetic appearance for further display. 56301 remains maintained as a static display and functioning area. It is thought the vehicle has not operated with passengers since its early Chasewater days (as hauled stock) and has not operated as a conventional DMU for almost 50 years! |
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Future Plans Long term, the electrics and control systems need to be restored if the vehicle is to eventually go back into full service. |
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The front end of 56301 shows evidence of being glossed as part of the latest round of conservation efforts. The vehicle was receiving more attention this day than usual, owing to it being the Bus Rally with County School regularly connected by road to the remainder of the Mid Norfolk Railway, 12/5/24. Chris Moxon |
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56301 undergoing further work which the station group are describing as "conservation", 10/23. Richard Cullen |
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An extremely rare view of 56301 south of the level crossing at County School. The occasion was shunting the vehicle (by hand as there are no locomotives on this section of line) from one platform to another as part of a site revamp, 26/2/23. Richard Cullen |
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The last section of 56301 remaining in blue: a corridor end in very poor condition, 20/2/22. Chris Moxon |
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56301 unlocked during one of the station's summer open days, 1/8/21. Ken Jones |
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Some limited repair works in evidence around the corridor end of 56301, 26/8/19. Chris Moxon |
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Some limited repair works in evidence around the corridor end of 56301, 26/8/19. Chris Moxon |
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56301 with some doors open, in static use at County School, 12/5/19. Chris Boon |
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56301 stands innocently at County School, 19/3/16. Chris Moxon |
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56301 following the completion of its cosmetic repairs, 13/9/15. Richard Moxon |
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56301 under restoration at County School, 21/9/13. Chris Moxon |
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56301 under restoration at County School, 21/9/13. Chris Moxon |
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Bodywork completed on the secondman's side, 16/6/13. Chris Moxon |
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Bodywork progressing down the driver's side, 16/6/13. Chris Moxon |
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Bodywork progressing on the front end, 17/6/12. Chris Moxon |
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The driver's side (corridor end), 17/6/12. Chris Moxon |
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The secondman's side in red oxie primer, 17/6/12. Chris Moxon |
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Bodywork progressing on the front end, 5/7/11. Chris Moxon |
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56301 on display at County School, 31/7/10. Q47541M |
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56301 at County School, 20/7/09. Chris Moxon |
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Rear view of 56301 at County School, 20/7/09. Chris Moxon |
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Underframe view of 56301 at County School, 2/7/08. Chris Moxon |
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Cab end of 56301 at County School, 2/7/08. Chris Moxon |
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Corridor end of 56301 at County School showing the twin toilet tank filler pipes and the interesting curves to the Gloucester bodyshell, 2/7/08. Chris Moxon |
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The front saloon, bogie and cab of 56301 at County School, 2/7/08. Paul Moxon |
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56301's worksplate, 2/7/08. Chris Moxon |
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56301 at County School, 3/8/07. Daniel Adkins |
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56301 a County School, 13/3/05. Stephen Hughes |
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56301 on display at County School, 21/3/04. David Beardmore |
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56301 now painted into blue at County School, 16/9/01. Paul Moxon |
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56301 on the Mid-Norfolk railway, early 1999. Mark Armstrong |
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56301 amongst industrial traction at Chasewater. Tim Major |
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56301 in use at Chasewater, 12/4/82. Chris Lings |
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56301 in use as a loco hauled coach on the Chasewater Railway, painted in a non-standard maroon livery, 28/5/78. David Jones |
Interior
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The middle saloon continued to be adapted for different static uses. There are now books for sale, 26/2/23. Richard Cullen |
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View of the middle saloon showing the new carpet, 21/9/13. Chris Moxon |
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View of the rear saloon showing the new carpet, 21/9/13. Chris Moxon |
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View of the drivers controls, 2/7/08. Chris Moxon |
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The front saloon with some non standard tables installed, 2/7/08. Paul Moxon |
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The middle saloon, 2/7/08. Chris Moxon |
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The middle saloon, 2/7/08. Chris Moxon |
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The rear saloon which now houses a display area, 2/7/08. Chris Moxon |
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The cab on the Mid-Norfolk railway, early 1999. Mark Armstrong |
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The empty middle saloon on the Mid-Norfolk railway, early 1999. Mark Armstrong |