59003 Class 116 Trailer Second (Ex Composite)

Home Railway	Bodmin & Wenford Railway	Location History	Paignton & Dartmouth Railway Feb 84-Sep 24
Current Location	Bodmin & Wenford Railway		Bodmin & Wenford Railway Sep 24-Present
Current Status	Stored
Current Livery	Non Standard Chocolate & Cream
TRA Designation	3
Partner Vehicle(s)	None
Owner
Website	None
Record Last Updated	16 November 2024
Preservation Modifications Several preservation modifications have been made to 59003, including the fitting of public address, steam heating, removal of interior bulkheads, additional plates to the corridor ends to allow coupling to Mark 1 coaching stock and the replacement of the original seating with 2+2 second class seats, custom built by the railway. The vehicle carries the name "Lily".
Preservation Information 59003 was preserved in 1984 for the commercially driven Dart Valley Railway (later Paignton & Dartmouth Railway). As DMU suburban vehicles are externally similar to older Great Western loco hauled vehicles, but with much lower maintenance, 59003 was soon put into traffic along with many other suburban centre cars forming a GWR style rake of loco hauled coaching stock. The vehicle was painted in a non authentic GWR chocolate & cream livery to further suit this role. 59003 never operated as a powered DMU and was for many years part of a fleet of seven Class 116 & 117 vehicles working all year round carrying passengers on steam services. In July 2011, 59003 was repainted and named "Zoe". Some time around 2017 (exact date unknown), 59003 was overhauled and repainted. During the overhaul the original seating was removed and replaced with custom built 2+2 seating manufactured in house by the railway, in a style that resembled the seating fitted to Mark 1 coaching stock. The vehicle was also renamed "Lily". In 2023 the vehicle was taken out of service and a start made on further bodywork, however works were halted after the railway purchased additional Mark 1 coaching stock for its fleet. 59003 was later deemed surplus to requirements and in July 2024 offered to other organisations for free. The Bodmin & Wenford Railway accepted the vehicle and moved it in the September. It is not known how much attention 59003 has been given since arrival.
Future Plans Unknown.

	59003 arriving at the Bodmin & Wenford Railway by road, 9/24. Talon Khakpour

	59003 stabled at Paignton, 4/10/22. Ken Jones

	59003 "Lily" is seen stabled at Paignton, 17/9/21. Ken Jones

	59003 "Lily" stabled at Kingswear, 27/8/20. Chris Walker

	59003 stabled, 12/9/19. Carl Watson

	59003 in service on the line, 8/18. Anthony Christie

	59003 "Zoe" stabled at Kingswear, 27/4/14. Chris Moxon

	59003 at Kingswear, 9/8/87. Malcolm Clements