56342 Class 101 Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory

Home Railway	Great Central Railway	Location History	Private Garden Melborn (Cambs) Aug 05-Apr 06
Current Location	Great Central Railway		Heanor Haulage Yard Apr 06-Aug 06
Current Status	Under Restoration		Rampart, Derby Aug 06-Oct 06
Current Livery	BR Green (Half Yellow Panel)		Private Garden Calveley (Cheshire) Oct 06-Nov 06
TRA Designation	4		Midland Railway Butterley Nov 06-Apr 18
Partner Vehicle(s)	None		Great Central Railway Apr 18-Present
Owner	Bruce Pollard
Website	facebook.com/renrailgcr
Record Last Updated	19 November 2022
Preservation Modifications None
Preservation Information Withdrawn from BR in late 1989, the vehicle was an internal user at Neville Hill (near Leeds) where preservationists were informed it would "have to come out in bits". It was according (very!) well stripped before (presumably after a U-turn) it was removed for preservation. Originally intended to house a model railway at Melbourn (where some corrosion repairs were carried out to the cab end), then subsequently at Calveley, the vehicle had certain missing parts refitted to look cosmetically "complete" from the outside. 56342 moved to Midland Railway Butterley following the local council's difference of opinion over garden railway exhibits. The cab end was finished off after arrival. The first preservation owner was unable to acquire a matching 101 DMBS, so little further work undertaken. When this owner obtained a 108 two car set, the vehicle was lined-up for scrapping to make space in June 2008. It was subsequently reprieved and adopted as a stores vehicle holding Class 101 spares for unit 101692. A quick coat of Blue/Grey with yellow ends was applied, along with some underframe painting for this role. The vehicle was put up for sale in 2011, but there were no takers. It continued to be used as a store for a further seven years, before fresh discussions concluded in February 2018 resulting in the vehicle being sold to a new owner at the Great Central Railway. On 3rd April 2018, 56342 was delivered to its new home at the Great Central Railway and was moved shortly afterwards into a position at Loughborough where its restoration could begin. Steady restoration followed, with the progress being rapid when compared to 56342's previous life in preservation. After just over two years, the vacuum systems and pipework on the vehicle had progressed to the point where the vehicle undertook its first braked test run for over 30 years! Other works towards reinstating missing wiring and the interior restoration had also been completed. By 2021 the pace had quickened with 56342 being the main focus of restoration for the group, and a flurry of refitting work was completed. In September of that year the exterior had been painted into BR green, the first class compartment had been completed and the vehicle was "part-launched" on a private charter with tables/bar set up inside the incomplete centre saloon! After the event 56342 was returned to the sidings to be finished off before a public launch. In 2022 progress continued on finishing 56342 but resources had to be split between it and the restoration of Class 122 55009. 56342 was available for viewing at the annual railcar convention event which was held at the GCR that year.
Future Plans To complete the restoration work before becoming the sixth member of the operational Metropiltan Cammell fleet at the Great Central Railway. 56342 will not have a partner as such but will act as a substitute and strengthening vehicle if longer trains are required or if other vehicles have to be taken out of service for restoration or repairs.

	56342 under restoration at Loughborough, 10/9/22. Chris Moxon

	56342, now sporting BR Green livery, under restoration in the sidings at loughborough, 15/9/21. Renaissance Railcars

	An historic moment: 56342 is just outside of Loughborough, powered by M50266/M50203, on a short test run following the completion of the vacuum system reinstatement. This would be the first time the vehicle had run with brakes for over 30 years, 16/7/20. Bruce Pollard

	M54342 in the sidings at Loughborough Central undergoing restoration, 3/5/19. Chris Moxon

	M54342 being shunted from Quorn & Woodhouse to Loughborough for its restoration to begin, 5/4/18. Bruce Pollard

	M54342 shortly after unloading at Quormn & Woodhouse, 3/4/18. Bruce Pollard

	M54342 stored at Butterley, 14/7/12. Chris Moxon

	M54342 stored at Butterley, 14/7/12. Chris Moxon

	Stored at Butterley, now repainted and being used for holding spares, 1/09.Eddie Knorn

	Stored at Swanwick Junction, showing the condiction in which the vehicle arrived, 29/2/08.Chris Moxon

	After it's stay at Royston it spent a brief time at a private residence in Cheshire before moving the Midland Railway Butterley, where it's seen at Swanwick, 23/11/06. Stuart Mackay

	54342 under restoration at Melborn, 5/2/06. David Beardmore

	The owner makes good progress in tackling the corrosion. 22/10/05. Stuart Mackay

	The vehicle's extraction from Neville Hill depot, where it had been used as a training room / store. It was first moved within the depot on a special low trailer, 2005. Robert Hustwick

	The vehicle's extraction from Neville Hill depot, where it had been used as a training room / store. It was first moved within the depot on a special low trailer and was then transferred to a regular low loader, 2005. Robert Hustwick

	The vehicle's extraction from Neville Hill depot, where it had been used as a training room / store. It was first moved within the depot on a special low trailer and was then transferred to a regular low loader, 2005. Robert Hustwick

Interior

	The cab interior of 56342, nearing the completion of its restoration at Loughborough, 10/9/22. Chris Moxon

	The cab interior of 56342, nearing the completion of its restoration at Loughborough, 10/9/22. Chris Moxon

	The first class saloon in 56342, nearing the completion of its restoration at Loughborough, 10/9/22. Chris Moxon

	The middle saloon in 56342, nearing the completion of its restoration at Loughborough, 10/9/22. Chris Moxon

	The rear saloon in 56342, nearing the completion of its restoration at Loughborough, 10/9/22. Chris Moxon

	The most attractively upholstered first class seating inside 56342, which has been made from 2+2 second class seat frames/cushions, much how the Eastern Region of BR did with some of their Metro Cammell Lightweight units, 25/9/21. Bruce Pollard

	56342's cab, clearly showing the extent of the vehicle's stripping. At this stage work to reinstate vacuum pipework, valves and wiring was progressing well, 16/7/20. Bruce Pollard