The Severn Valley Railway has purchased a three-car Class 101 Metro-Cammell diesel multiple unit set from the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, to boost its railcar fleet.
The vehicles are 50170, 50253 and 59303 - the former two cars have previously appeared at the SVR during the Railcar 50 event in 2004.
The unit is in its original, as-built, condition in BR green. The set was moved by Allelys on September 11.
“These latest residents will be a welcome addition. We already have a Class 108 DMU at the railway, and the return-to-service of three of its vehicles last year has proved incredibly useful,” said SVR Managing Director Gus Dunster.
“These agile vehicles are ideal for running shuttle services along parts of the line, and for providing shorter trains at times when a full-size train wouldn’t be economic.
“Before the closure of the line by British Rail in the 1960s, DMUs like these were a familiar sight on passenger turns. Their retro appearance is very popular with our visitors, who particularly enjoy the forward-facing view of the line you can see from the front carriage!”
The Class 101 DMU is owned by the SVR-based DMU Group (West Midlands). Its purchase was made possible thanks to a generous donation.
The board of the Severn Valley Railway Company Limited has approved the vehicles coming onto the line, as is required for any additional permanent rolling stock.
Apart from a small amount of cosmetic work to one unit, the set is fully operational.
Group chairman James Cooper said: “This is an exciting development for us. Acquiring the Class 101 will allow us to provide the SVR with an operational DMU of suitable passenger capacity, at the same time as allowing regular downtime for maintenance of all our DMU vehicles.’
Metro-Cammell built the set in 1957 in Saltley (Birmingham), and it was allocated to the Eastern Region of British Railways. It was one of the final sets to be withdrawn from main line service in 2003, as set 101692.
The Class 101 can work in multiple with the Class 108, and it shares many common parts with the ‘108’, including the engines.
Of the SVR’s Class 108s, 52064 has recently been repainted at Bridgnorth, and the other two operational vehicles are scheduled to be painted before the 2025 season. They have performed well in service this year with a few repairs required recently.
Meanwhile, the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway has put its three-car Class 117 DMU up for sale and is inviting offers for set L425 comprising DMBS W51363, TCL W59510 and DMS W51405. The set is currently fully serviceable and is running on the Glos-Warks until October.
For more details visit: www.gwsr-dmu.co.uk/class-117-set-l425-for-sale. Offers of serious interest can only be sent via [email protected].
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