59503 Class 117 Trailer Second (Ex Composite Lavatory)

Home Railway	Paignton & Dartmouth Railway	Location History	Paignton & Dartmouth Railway Jan 94-Present
Current Location	Paignton & Dartmouth Railway
Current Status	Operational (Hauled Stock)
Current Livery	Non Standard Chocolate & Cream
TRA Designation	4
Partner Vehicle(s)	59004, 59494, 59513 & 59517
Owner	Dart Valley Railway plc
Website	None
Record Last Updated	1 August 2024
Preservation Modifications Several preservation modifications have been made to 59503, such as the the fitting of additional plates to the corridor ends to allow coupling to Mark 1 coaching stock. However the most drastic changes are to the interior which now bares little resemblance to its days as a BR DMU vehicle. Public address and domestic style bowl lighting has been fitted to a wooden centre strip in the ceiling. Wall paneling has been replaced with modern wood effect upper panels and upholstered lower panels, with many interior bulkheads removed. Most luggage racks have been removed. The toilets have been removed. No original seating survives, with new-build Mark 1 style seating fitted throughout, effectively converting the vehicle from TCL to TS. The vehicle carries the name "Nina".
Preservation Information 59503 was preserved in early 1994 but the vehicle remained stored as it required overhauling before being put into passenger service. It was painted all over black to keep the exterior presentable. As DMU suburban vehicles are externally similar to older Great Western loco hauled vehicles, but with much lower maintenance, 59503 was eventually overhauled to join many other suburban centre cars forming a GWR style rake of loco hauled coaching stock. As part of the overhaul, public address was fitted along with additional plates to the corridor ends to allow coupling to Mark 1 coaching stock. The interior was modified significantly with the first class seating and toilets removed, replaced with spare second class seating from other vehicles, making the vehicle a TS with a new capacity of 89. A buggy/luggage area was also created at one end and carpets fitted throughout. 59503 entered service in 2006, the vehicle having been painted in a non authentic GWR chocolate & cream livery to further suit the GWR carriage role and named "Nina". Following around 15 years use, 59503 was overhauled again and further modifications were made. The interior was the focus again, with the BR lighting removed and replaced with non-authentic bowl lights.on a wooden centre strip. Most of the luggage racks were removed (although a select few were retained). The interior paneling was replaced with new wood effect from the waist up whilst the lower sections were covered with upholstery. Further internal bulkheads were removed. The DMU seating was all removed and replaced with new build 2+2 seating similar to those found in a BR Mark 1 carriage. These were also upholstered in BR Mark 1 moquette. Floor coverings were also replaced (though it is not known if it is lino or carpet). 59503 returned to service in June 2022 and the modifications overall gained a positive response. In 2024 the railway slimmed down its fleet of hauled DMU cars, after purchasing additional Mark 1 stock. 59503 was one of the five vehicles which remained intended for further passenger use. 59503 continues in regular service at the Paignton & Dartmouth.
Future Plans To maintain in service.

	W59503 in service at Paignton, 21/9/23. Nigel Benning

	Recently overhauled W59503, stabled at Paignton, 4/10/22. Ken Jones

	59503 in service, 12/9/19. Carl Watson

	59503 in service out on the line, 8/18. Anthony Christie

	59503 in service at Kingswear, 23/7/17. Carl Watson

	59503, stabled in a short siding at Kingswear, not being required in use that day, 27/4/14. Chris Moxon

	A closer view of the major modification made to the toilet area of 59503, which was removed, the window enlarged, and the area repurposed for seating, 27/4/14. Chris Moxon

	59503, stored at Kingswear. 59503 has now received a repaint, 27/6/06. David Beardmore

	59503, still in Network SouthEast livery, stored at Kingswear, 26/5/01. Robert Frise

Interior

	The newly overhauled interior passenger saloon inside 59503, showing many of the modifications undertaken, 9/6/22.Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company

	The interior passenger saloon inside 59503, in the condition it was in after its first overhaul in the early 2000's but before its second overhaul in the early 2020's.Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company