Vehicle 51881
Class 115
Builder: BR Derby Works
Layout: High Density
Length: 64ft
Coupling Code: Blue Square
Coupling Type: Screw
Gangway Type: None
Engines: Albion 230hp
Transmission: Mechanical
Lot Number: 30598
Diagram: 598
Allocations
| 24/09/60 | New to | Derby Friargate | - stabled pending allocation |
| Jan-61 | Transferred to | 14A (Cricklewood) | |
| 4w/e 01/04/61 | Stored | Marylebone | |
| 4w/e 01/07/61 | Transfer | 14F (Marylebone) | |
| Sep-63 | Depot code change | 1D | |
| May-73 | Depot code change | ME | |
| Apr-82 | Withdrawn from | ME (Marylebone) |
Notes
28/12/81 - The two Class 115 vehicles M51864/81 involved in the Seer Green collision were expected to withdrawn as their repair was expected to prove uneconomical.
Refurbished
At Derby Works dated 02/01/1981 released in blue/grey livery51881 was involved in the following incident:
11/12/81 - near Seer Green
Collision involving Class 115 / Class 115
A Class 115 ECS from Marylebone to Princes Risborough stopped at a fallen tree branch across the Chiltern main line in a cutting near Seer Green, and was hit by the Class 115 on the 07:31 from Marylebone to Banbury at about 30mph. The driver of the latter had been authorised to pass the Gerrards Cross signal at danger, and he and three passengers were killed. The two power cars that collided M51864/81 would be withdrawn.
Disposal
Scrapped by BR, Derby C&W Works
Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:
| 51881 | 59735 | 59755 | 51882 | As delivered to Derby Friargate - 24th September 1960 - stabled pending allocation | |||||
| 51881 | 59673 | 59652 | 51900 | Noted 06/06/71 - at Marylebone1 | |||||
| 51869 | 59677 | 59744 | 51881 | Noted 25/10/1971 - at Marylebone2 | |||||
| 51879 | 59735 | 59750 | 51881 | Noted 26/05/75 - on the Quaintonian shuttle | |||||
| 51879 | 59735 | 59750 | 51881 | Noted 08/06/75 - on Bletchley depot3 | |||||
| 51674 | 59733 | 59676 | 51881 | Noted 13/01/1979 - on emergency special from Marylebone to High Wycombe to connect with delayed ECS for railtour to Merseyside with 51676-59738-59668-51661 (or 51886-59738-59668-51894?) | |||||
| 51874 | 59665 | 59757 | 51881 | Noted 14th April 1979 | |||||
| 51661 | 59661 | 59676 | 51881 | Noted 04/07/81 - on Hertfordshire Railtours The Fenbasher | |||||
| 51881 | Noted circa 02/1982 - damaged following collision at Seer Green on 11th December 1981. Front vehicle of passenger train that ran into stationary ECS.4 |
Formation Sources
1: Leonard Rogers
2: Jeremy Goodyear
3: Gerald Brown
4: Eddie Knorn
Images:
26th May 1975
51881 - 59750 - 59735 - 51879 on the Quaintonian shuttle near Quainton Road, 26/5/75. Robert Frise.
4th July 1981
This four-car set of Derby high-density seated DMU coaches (51881/59676/59661/51661) from Marylebone was seen at Abbey in Norfolk on the first Hertfordshire Railtours "Fenbasher" railtour on 4 July 1981. This tour was repeated three weeks later owing to high demand. Jeremy Chapter.
4th July 1981
Class 115 DMBS M51881 on the end of the Fenbasher railtour seen in Peterborough station on 4 July 1981. Stuart Mackay Collection.
The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:
Date: 26th May 1975
51879 leads 59735 - 59750 - 51881 on The Quaintonian shuttle, 26/5/75 near Quainton Road. Robert Frise.
Date: 4th July 1981
Hertfordshire Railtours' "Fenbasher" tour operated on 4 July 1981 and repeated later in the month. This is the original, formed 51661/59661/59676/51881 with the organiser, the late John Farrow walking alongside the train. Class 115 normally worked out of Marylebone but this tour ran from St Pancras to Kings Cross. Jeremy Chapter.
Date: 4th July 1981
Hertfordshire Railtours' "Fenbasher" tour operated on 4 July 1981 and was repeated later in the month. This is the original, formed 51661/59661/59676/51881, at Wisbech. This class of Derby Suburban diesel units spent most of their working lives operating the routes out of Marylebone. Jeremy Chapter.
Date: 4th July 1981
The Hertfordshire Railtours "Fenbasher" rail tour is seen at Abbey on the former Downham and Stoke Ferry railway. Formation of the tour was 51881+59676+59661+51661, all Marylebone-based class 115 Derby Suburban coaches. This was the 4 July 1981 running of the tour, which ran again three weeks later. Jeremy Chapter.
Date: 4th July 1981
Hertfordshire Railtours' "Fenbasher" tour operated on 4 July 1981 and repeated later in the month. This is the original, formed 51661/59661/59676/51881 with Hertfordshire Railtours' John Farrow just inside the fence. Class 115 normally worked out of Marylebone but this tour ran from St Pancras to Kings Cross. Jeremy Chapter.
Date: 4th July 1981
The Hertfordshire Railtours "Fenbasher" is seen at Middleton Towers on 4 July 1981. It was formed of a Class 115 DMU containing 51661 + 59661 + 59676 + 51881. Stuart Mackay Collection.