59303 Class 101 Trailer Second Lavatory
Home Railway |
Location History |
Midland Railway Butterley Aug 04-Apr 10 |
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Current Location |
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Ecclesbourne Valley Railway Apr 10-Sep 24 |
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Current Status |
Under Overhaul |
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Severn Valley Railway Sep 24-Present |
Current Livery |
BR Green |
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TRA Designation |
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Partner Vehicle(s) |
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Owner |
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Website |
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Record Last Updated |
16 November 2024 |
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Preservation Modifications |
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Preservation Information However only limited restoration work had been undertaken, and the vehicle was stored in 2006/2007 awaiting its turn for overhaul. From 2008-2011, the vehicle was transformed with a full interior and exterior restoration. Externally: bodywork was undertaken, gutters shortened to their original configuration and corridor connections rebuilt followed by a full repaint into original green livery. Underneath saw the running gear and bogies serviced, cleaned and repainted. The interior got similar treatment, being stripped out with all components being stripped then cleaned and/or repainted. The orange Formica was covered over in a timber effect (closer resembling a more appropriate appearance) and the strip lighting was replaced with original tungsten lights. The seat frames were also repainted and the doors rebuilt. The seat cushions were reclaimed from 79900 after that vehicle received new reupholstered seating. All this work was shared by the Midland Railway Butterley and the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, the vehicle moving ito the latter part way through the restoration process in April 2010. In April 2011, the vehicle was relaunched into passenger service. The vehicle did not operate in a fixed formation and could be found operating in a variety of sets. In July 2014, a muliple working socket was replaced and rewired. The completion of the restoration of Class 101 50253 in September 2015 allowed a fixed formation green liveried Class 101 set to be formed, consisting of 50253 with 59303 and 50170. 59303 ran as a 3-car set until March 2020 when it was stored out of service during the Covid pandemic. Sadly the vehicle deteriorated whilst in storage. The extended period out of traffic also highlighted the poor exterior condition with bodywork and repaint being required before the vehicle returned to service. Following over four years in storage, as part of the EVR's overall strategy to reduce its DMU fleet to two sets, 59303 was sold, being purchased by the DMU Group West Midlands who wanted a Class 101 3-car set to expand their fleet at the Severn Valley Railway. Shortly after arrival, 59303's overhaul for a return to service commenced, firstly at Kidderminster, but by the end of the year at the group's base at Bewdley. 59303 is currently receiving work to prepare it for an entry into service at the SVR. |
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Future Plans |
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E59303 loaded up at Wirksworth for its journey to Kidderminster, 11/9/24. William Pizer |
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E59303 stored in the sidings at Wirksworth, its future unclear, 11/4/24. Chris Moxon |
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E59303 in use as hauled stock at Duffield, 7/8/21. David Bellamy |
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An interesting view of E59303 on the lifting jacks at Wirksworth during an M exam. The vehicle's bogies saw much attention, with the wheelsets removed and bearings checked, lubricated and repainted where required. A good check over underneath was also given whilst the vehicle was up in the air for the first time in preservation, 5/21. EVR DMU Association |
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E59303 paired with its normal powercars at Duffield during the annual railcar gala, 19/5/18. Chris Moxon |
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E59303, now in a Class 101 green liveried 3-car set, at Shottle on a driver experience run during the Railcar Association convention weekend, 25/9/15. Barry Knapper |
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E59303 in service at Duffield during the railway's Multiple Memories gala. E59303 was operating the 15:15 Wirksworth-Duffield in multiple with Class 119 W51073 and Class 101 E51505, 9/8/14. Chris Moxon |
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E59303 seen stabled at Wirkswiorth on an Easter Monday, not required for that day's duties. At the time, the vehicle was formed with Class 117 51360 and Class 101 50170, 1/4/13. Chris Moxon |
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Approaching completion at Wirksworth, note the refurbished doors recently completed, 13/3/11. Ecclesbourne Valley Railway |
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Restoration now underway at Butterley, 29/3/08. Chris Moxon |
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In this early 2008 shot it's been painted into green. Stuart Mackay |
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In storage at Swanwick Junction, 1/4/07. Chris Moxon |
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59303 stored at Swanwick Junction, 26/7/06. Brian Battersby |
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59303 is 692's original centre car from Haymarket days, but it's the first time it's carried this livery! 9/10/05. Paul Moxon |
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59303 at Butterley on the Midland Railway Centre, 20/10/04. Stuart Mackay |
Interior
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E59303's front saloon, 1/4/13. Chris Moxon |
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E59303's middle saloon, 1/4/13. Chris Moxon |
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E59303's rear saloon, showing the removed second class seating, 1/4/13. Chris Moxon |
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View of the now completed interior, 13/3/11. Ecclesbourne Valley Railway |
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The first completed seat for the vehicle, 6/3/11. Ecclesbourne Valley Railway |
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Later the same day the first saloon was complete, 6/3/11. Ecclesbourne Valley Railway |
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The first rebuilt door at Wirksworth, 21/1/11. Ecclesbourne Valley Railway |
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The repainted seat frames being fitted in the middle saloon, 21/11/10. Ecclesbourne Valley Railway |
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View of the front saloon after some restoration work. This vehicle is quite rare in being an all-second toilet fitted vehicle, unlike most Class 101 vehicles which had a first class section at the front. The lino and Formica has been cleaned, heater ducts refurbished and tungsten lighting fitted, 28/3/09. Chris Moxon |
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View of the middle saloon before most of the restoration work. Compare this view with those of the other saloons, 28/3/09. Chris Moxon |
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View of the rear saloon after some restoration work. The lino and Formica has been cleaned, heater ducts refurbished and tungsten lighting fitted, 28/3/09. Chris Moxon |