Railcar of the Year 2024
Voting for this year's Railcar of the Year award is now open! Make sure you cast your vote before the end of Tuesday 14th January. Please note that only one vote is allowed per person and you are required to list your name in order for your vote to be counted. Voting is free and the winner will be announced shortly after voting ends.
The Nominations
Class 101 M54358 (East Anglian Railway Museum): The first nomination is Class 101 trailer car 54358. Firmly regarded as one of the most original Class 101's in preservation, the vehicle has made headlines in 2024 by becoming the first 101 driving trailer to carry Blue & Grey livery in preservation, and now forms the only operating 101 set in those colours and indeed one of only two operational DMU sets in total carrying this once widespread but now incredibly rare scheme. It therefore represents an important flag bearer, representing railcars during the 1980's. Accurate representation is something that has always been at the heart of 54358's owning group, with extensive efforts to "un-refurbish" the vehicle undertaken which are still ongoing on the interior. The repaint itself is of a high standard and 54358 now rejoins powercar 51213 (similarly painted some years ago) in a 2-car set which accurately represents Norwich based 101's which served East Anglia in their final years before replacement by newly built Sprinter stock.
Class 107 SC52005/SC52031 (Nemesis Rail): The Class 107's have, for many years, had a challenging time in preservation with restorations stalled, long periods of storage and struggles to find homes and owners with the drive and resources to keep them in service or restore them. They have unsurprisingly been predominantly absent from these awards, with just one vehicle being nominated back in 2015 for being rescued rather than restored. Recently the class's future has been volatile with ten out of the eleven preserved vehicles being sold and moving to new locations. It is therefore a treat to see shoots emerging from the ashes, in the form of a rapid overhaul of 2-car set 52005/52031. Representing 40% of a five-vehicle fleet sale to commercial outfit Nemesis Rail, this 2-car set has seen some heavy bodywork restoration and of course a full repaint into BR Green with Speed Whiskers (interestingly only the second time a 107 has been painted into this normally popular livery), before being put out on hire to the Great Central Railway Nottingham (note the picture used here shows a previous livery). Here, the rather fitting theme of revival continues as the set is assisting the railway in operating its first regular passenger services in some years following a shut-down of operations and long period of regulator-requested improvements. With a returning set on a returning railway, the story represents optimism and regeneration of both the line and the 107 collective fleet in general.
Class 108 M52054 (Weardale): Class 108 52054 is nominated this year, following its return to service after extensive collision damage repairs. The vehicle was involved in an unfortunate incident in 2022 which damaged a significant portion of the underframe area, rendering the vehicle immediately out of use, an unusual position for a preserved vehicle to be found in. After two and a half years, this summer saw the vehicle returned to service with its regular partner 50980. The pair were nominated for these awards back in 2019 as the unit had been run down by a previous owner and much work had been required to return them to traffic. So, for a second time, the resolve of the owning group was tested following the accident that struck just three years after 52054's entry into service had been celebrated. As well as contacted body repairs, a huge amount of minor works have also been undertaken by volunteers whilst the vehicle has been out of traffic bringing up the standard of the vehicle generally. The return to service of the set will now strengthen the Weardale Railway's position, particularly on busier days when older traction is booked to run but numbers exceed the capacity of resident "bubble car" 55012.
Class 122 55006 (Ecclesbourne Valley): This vehicle is nominated as it represents the recovery of a railway that has seen significant decline in its railcar fleet. The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway had for many years been in the top three railways in the country for its large and varied railcar fleet, which was most notable during their annual railcar galas that attracted enthusiasts from around the UK to visit. Regrettably, the Covid pandemic saw the entire fleet withdrawn from traffic and a build-up of deferred restoration and maintenance work took a hold, with much of the fleet never to run on the railway again. A change in the railway's strategic vision confirmed that the disbanding of the fleet was aligned with their future direction as a railway, and the following sales and vehicle relocations is still ongoing. However Class 122 55006, a long running favourite at the line, has bucked the trend and has seen works, both mechanical and cosmetic, to return the vehicle to service and take a role once again in the railway's operations. Following a clarification of the railway's position, 55006 is seen as part of a smaller "quality over quantity" future for the railcar fleet, operating selected service alongside steam and diesel locomotives. The vehicle is nominated for the completion of these renewal works, kick-starting their revised fleet vision, and operating DMU services once again in 2024 and beyond.
Class 142 142013 (Midland Railway Butterley): Representing second generation traction this year is 142013, which is only the second Class 142 to be nominated in the history of these awards but interestingly is owned by the same group who provided that other Class 142! The Midland Railway Butterley currently has the strongest fleet of heritage liveried Pacer units in the country with no less than three sets now all returned to classic and contrasting 1980's colour schemes. It is impressive that all three units are now restored and operating in good condition, with the completion being made possible by this year's entry into service of 142013, in GMPTE Orange colours, the first in preservation to be so treated. This set has seen one of the more comprehensive restorations that we have seen on a 142 with more than just paint being applied. Over two years, much work to improve reliability has been done, along with making the vehicles truly watertight to protect an equally restored interior which has seen the seating reupholstered into a 1980's style, thought to be the first time a 142 has received new seat fabric. Spick and span inside and out, 142013 debuted at the railway's DMU gala (and railcar convention) this year and was seen in not only by the established movement, but a fresh batch of younger enthusiasts as well, who are relishing the sight of a 142 in good condition returning to its as-built appearance.
Voting
Follow the link below to cast your vote. Make sure you vote for your choice before the end of Saturday 31st December. Please note that only one vote is allowed per person and you are required to list your name in order for your vote to be counted.