Private Site: Long Marston (Porterbrook)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) had many rail sites around the UK. One of these was located at Long Marston, and amongst other roles, these sites were used for stock storage by leasing companies.
The rail site at Long Marston proved more publically accessible than sister site Shoeburyness, as the area was split into several commercial areas, some of which were opened up for open weekends. During these events it was possible to view and even ride on some of the DMUs located on site.
The Ministry of Defence owned their own Class 117 set which was used for training purposes for a period of time. Although the set had been hired out elsewhere, it was usually kept at the MOD’s Long Marston site, before later being sold and moved on. A Class 108 set, destined for the Avon Valley Railway, was also in storage on site for many years before moving elswhere to be returned to operational condition.
During the early 2020's the site was progressively occupied and later purchased by Porterbrook Leasing, who have invested in and developed the site further as an innovation centre.
Today, the site has less relevence to DMU preservation as the focus is increasingly on modern development.
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