59521 Class 117 Trailer Composite Lavatory

Home Railway	Helston Railway	Location History	Private Site: Winfrith Jul 04-Mar 07
Current Location	Helston Railway		Midland Railway Butterley Mar 07-Mar 12
Current Status	Stored		Helston Railway Mar 12-Present
Current Livery	Primer
TRA Designation	4
Partner Vehicle(s)	None
Owner	Private
Website	None
Record Last Updated	16 November 2024
Preservation Modifications None
Preservation Information Latterly seeing service in Scotland as 3-car set 117306, 59521 was stored for several years before preservation in 2004. The vehicle was purchased by Dorset County Council who wished to obtain three 3-car Class 117 sets for a proposed community rail link between Swanage and Wareham. 59486 joined 2-car set51353 & 51395 and in 2004 the 3-car unit was moved to a private site in Dorset where all nine of the Class 117 vehicles were being stored in readiness for the Swanage Railway's Wareham extension to bear fruit. However in 2007 the site had to be cleared with one set relocating to the Weardale Railway and the other two to the Midland Railway Butterley, all for storage. 51353, 59521 & 51395were one of the sets moved to the latter location in March 2007. 59521 remained in store, with no work being undertaken on the vehicle. After many years out of use, the vehicle had deteriorated in condition. During this time, some seating was removed from the vehicle. By 2011 it was understood that Dorset County Council would no longer be proceeding with the plan to operate the nine Class 117 vehicles, and 59521 was sold to two private individuals who in turn advertised the vehicle for sale publically. Although earmarked for providing spare parts and later scrap, the vehicle was purchased by another two individuals. They moved the vehicle to their base at the Helston Railway in March 2012, where restoration started immediately. Interior work during the summer of 2012 included a ceiling repaint and a deep clean of the seating, panels and lino which improved its appearance considerably. One panel on the outside was repainted into GWR Chocolate & Cream livery as a taster of what it may look like when fully restored as a hauled coach. Sadly the work would later stall and 59521 was put into storage, with the line's limited number of volunteers moving onto starting other projects instead. It has since laid at various sites around the railway but is normally found at Trevarno station, and it is now believed that the interior is at least partly stripped out.
Future Plans It is assumed that there are still plans to restart the restoration work, with the aim of 59521 becoming suitable for use a a loco hauled carriage in the future.

	59521 in use as a stores van at Trevarno, 30/7/23. Daniel D'roza

	59521 stored, 3/10/13. Ken Jones

	A hint of things to come: the first panels receive Chocolate & Cream, 1/9/12. Helston Railway Diesel Group

	Bodywork preparationsbeing undertaken on 59521 prior to its repaint into Chocolate & Cream, 8/7/12. Helston Railway Diesel Group

	Bodywork preparationsbeing undertaken on 59521 prior to its repaint into Chocolate & Cream, 1/7/12. Helston Railway Diesel Group

	59521 at Trevarno requiring a clean, 4/4/12. Helston Railway Diesel Group

	59521 at Trevarno viewed from the bridge after a clean, 4/4/12. Helston Railway Diesel Group

	59521 shortly after arrival at the Helston Railway, 30/3/12. Perry McDonagh

	59521 being delivered, 29/3/12. Helston Railway Diesel Group

	59521 stored at Swanwick Junction just before departure to the Helston Railway, 12/3/12. Helston Railway Diesel Group

	59521 stored at Swanwick Junction after purchase by individuals from the Helston Railway, 19/2/12. Helston Railway Diesel Group

	59521 stored at Swanwick Junction on display during the Midland Railway Butterley's DMU Gala, 11/9/11. Chris Moxon

	59521 stored at Swanwick Junction on display during the Midland Railway Butterley's DMU Gala, 28/3/09. Chris Moxon

	59521 stored at Swanwick Junction, 27/9/08. Daniel Adkins

	59521 stored at Swanwick Junction on display during the Midland Railway Butterley's DMU Gala, 29/3/08. Chris Moxon

	59521 stored at Swanwick Junction on display during the Midland Railway Buttley's DMU Gala. The vehicle has recently been moved from private storage, 1/4/07. Chris Moxon

Interior

	The completed First Class saloon, 17/6/12. Helston Railway Diesel Group

	Repainting the ceiling in the First Class saloon, 6/6/12. Helston Railway Diesel Group

	Restoration work on window surrounds in the First Class saloon, 8/4/12. Helston Railway Diesel Group

	The first class saloon, 11/9/11. Chris Moxon

	The second class saloon located nearest the end of the vehicle, seen here with most of the seating removed, 11/9/11. Chris Moxon

	The second class saloon located nearest the centre of the vehicle, seen here with most of the seating removed, 11/9/11. Chris Moxon