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Vehicle W51131
Type: Derby C&W
Works Class 116 DMBS (Driving Motor Brake Second).
Owner: The Battlefield Line DMU Group
Home Railway: The
Battlefield Line
In BR passenger service: 8/1958 – 9/1993
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51131 was for the Western Region of British Railways by Derby Works to their standard suburban design. It seats 65 passengers and having a large guard’s van this vehicle was built as part of a 3 car set for busy suburban services. Over 100 such sets were built by Derby works. New to Newport (Gwent) in 1958, as part of a 3 car set also containing 51144 and 59441, 51131 moved to Tyseley (Birmingham) in the 1960’s when the Newport valley lines closed. It remained at Tyseley until withdrawal in July 1993, with a failed gearbox and being deemed as surplus as the new electric units were being introduced for the cross-city line in Birmingham. As a Tyseley vehicle it would have traveled widely around central England, even reaching as far as Skegness, Shrewsbury and Great Yarmouth. |
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It arrived at Shackerstone in February 1994. It required a new gearbox, work on one final drive and a new set of batteries before its first run in March 1994. It has been in use with us at the Battlefield Line since then. It has since been repainted. On going work has included new cylinder heads and fuel pump on one engine, and problems with water ingress behind the gutters.
51131 will be in traffic at Railcar50 paired with 51321. Both are in blue / grey livery.