59507 Class 117 Trailer Second Lavatory (Ex Composite)

Home Railway	Plym Valley Railway	Location History	Paignton & Dartmouth Railway Apr 94-Sep 24
Current Location	Plym Valley Railway		Plym Valley Railway Sep 24-Present
Current Status	Stored
Current Livery	Non Standard Chocolate & Cream
TRA Designation	4
Partner Vehicle(s)	None
Owner	Plym Valley Railway
Website	plymrail.co.uk
Record Last Updated	7 September 2024
Preservation Modifications Several preservation modifications have been made to 59507, including the fitting of public address, additional plates to the corridor ends to allow coupling to Mark 1 coaching stock, the replacement of the 1st class seating with second (new capacity: 77 second), replacement of seating in one end with an open buggy/luggage area, non authentic upholstery and the fitting of a red carpet. The vehicle carries the name "Anna".
Preservation Information 59507 was preserved in 1994 for the Dart Valley Railway (later Paignton & Dartmouth Railway), who collected a large number of Class 117 centre cars in a short space of time. As DMU suburban vehicles are externally similar to older Great Western loco hauled vehicles, but with much lower maintenance, 59507 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. At some point the vehicle was overhauled with the seating being reupholstered, the interior repainted, and a red carpet fitted. 59507 has never operated in preservation as a powered DMU and is part of a fleet of seven Class 116 & 117 vehicles based on the line working all year round carrying passengers on steam services. In April 2013 59507 was repainted. During the 2020's the railway had been undertaking a rolling programme of interior refurbishment with further modifications being made to make their DMU vehicles more similar to BR Mark 1 stock. 59507 became the final vehicle in service with original DMU seating still fitted, before being withdrawn from traffic and stored at Kingswear suffering from some corrosion. It was used as a seat store for some time, during which the railway purchased additional Mark 1 coaching stock for its fleet. 59507 was later deemed surplus to requirements and in July 2024 offered to other organisations for free. Later that year the vehicle transferred to the Plym Valley Railway and moved to its new home. 59507 is currently stored awaiting a restoration assessment.
Future Plans The railway have stated that following assessment, 59507 will be restored providing a flexible vehicle capable of running with Class 101, Class 117 and vacuum braked locomotives.

	59507 arrives at Marsh Mills on a road transporter having made the journey from the (relatively) nearby Paignton & Dartmouth Railway, 7/9/24. Plym Valley Railway

	59507 stabled at Paignton, 5/4/22. David Bellamy

	59507 in service, 12/9/19. Carl Watson

	59507 in service out on the line, 8/18. Anthony Christie

	59507 in service out on the line, 8/18. Anthony Christie

	59507 in service at Kingswear, 23/7/17. Carl Watson

	59507 in traffic at Kingswear during a rare diesel running day, 27/4/14. Chris Moxon

	59507, stabled at Paignton, 3/5/08. Bill Pugsley

	59507 on the Paignton & Dartmouth Railway where it's used as hauled stock, seen here at Kingswear, 17/8/04. Roger Marks

Interior

	The previously first class section of 59507, much modified and now with high density second class seating, 27/4/14. Chris Moxon

	A modified area of 59507, cleared of seating to facilitate the cariage of buggies etc, 27/4/14. Chris Moxon

	The smaller (formerly non smoking) second class section of 59507, 27/4/14. Chris Moxon

	The larger (formerly smoking) second class section of 59507, 27/4/14. Chris Moxon

	59507's interior on the Paignton & Dartmouth Railway where it's used as hauled stock, 17/8/04. Roger Marks