Colne Valley Railway
The Colne Valley Railway is a mile long and centres around the rebuilt Castle Headingham station, with a short running line either side.
Its length lends itself well to DMU operation and a variety of types have been housed on the line over the years. The railway is home to Pressed Steel Heritage, a group who are unusual in preserving suburban DMUs in their own right rather than just a cheap traction solution.
However due to changing circumstances the suburban fleet was reduced from several sets down to a single “bubble car” and matching trailer (one of only two in existence). A second generation unit, under separate ownership, was also located on the line between 2005 & 2020.
For many years post 2000, the majority of DMU services were operated by a Class 121 single unit typically seeing use on many diesel days throughout the year as well as several special events.
The Colne Valley Railway hosted the Annual Railcar Convention in 2008 (jointly with the East Anglian Railway Museum), with both 121 vehicles and the 141 set (since departed) in operation.
In 2020 a new chapter started after Pressed Steel Heritage decided to expand their fleet again, having felt that they had perhaps cut back too much by going down to one 2-car set all those years ago. They doubled the fleet by purchasing an operational 2-car Class 117 set which is now resident at the Colne Valley, which can now boast two operating first generation DMU's for the first time in many years.
| 51339 Class 117 DMBS |
| 51382 Class 117 DMS |
| 55033 Class 121 DMBS |