Class 119 DMBC W51073

Hi all,

Just to let you know that the restoration of Class 119 Driving Motor Brake Composite is under way. Volunteers have been working weekends on the unit at the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway since November. As of yet there is no target date for the completion because a good job needs to be made. From the outset, the intention is not really make it fully original but to make the best of what is available in terms of materials, time and money.

The vehicle was withdrawn in 1993 and placed into store at Gwent Demolition in Margham with a view to being scrapped. It was on it's way to Penzance but unfortunately threw "a leg out of bed" and got withdrawn. Whilst in store, nearly all useful parts were stripped for use elsewhere including the remaining good engine, both gearboxes, final drives, exhausters etc. Inside, the drivers controllers, some gauges and even lighting were also taken. Heck, they even took all the windows! These parts have all been sourced from various different places now and it is a case of gradually refitting them. Two Leyland 680-1595 engines have been sourced too. Both of these engines are slightly more powerful than the standard 680 engine being of 180hp as the unit was destined for more rapid acceleration on the cross country routes. One of the engines was built in 1997 and never fitted to a unit and therefore is 100% brand new - will be interesting to hear when it is started for the first time!

The unit had to have blue asbestos stripped from inside before it was saved for preservation (precisely the reason that class 119 vehicles are so rare - just 3 remain). To do this, all internal panelling was simply ripped up and all of the seats and frames just piled up inside.

It will be great to see this unit running again. You can follow an online restoration diary that is being kept which is quite good because it is updated every time there is some decent progress to talk about. It has also been agreed that the unit will be available for public viewing (both outside and inside) at select event weekends on the railway throughout the year as well as at the annual Railcar Association Convention in October.

Click here for Class 119 Online Diary - Ecclesbourne Valley Railway

 

After all sorts of team member holidays and such like, another solid day of progress has finally been made woohoo! A diary update has been made.

 

It has lashed it down all day and we got completely soaked in the process but we have made more progress and we have done a diary update to reflect it! I love it when you can just spend a day working on the unit without interruption.

 

Unfortunately work has been slow recently due to having to keep other units serviceable but don't forget if you want to view the restoration work that has already been completed in person, rather than online, come along to the Convention on 3rd/4th October as the vehicle will be on prominent display.

 

Unfortunately theres only 3 Class 119 vehicles around now - the other two being together at the Swindon and Cricklade (in a similar state). We have other classes we can put on the back which will be fine.

 

The unit had a role at this year's Convention last weekend. There was much interest by the general public as they don't very often get to see a restoration part way through. Unfortunately at the moment work is having to be focussed on other vehicles in our fleet but we hope to continue the restoration properly during the winter.

 

This afternoon was a major milestone for this unit. For the first time since 1993, Class 119 51073 fired an engine. Engine No.2 - a new engine that has never been ran - was started for the first time. More information to come in a diary update in the next few days.

 

Hiya, glad to hear there is another 119 vehicle around being restored. Ours is coming alone nicely. The DMBS is almost ready for its seats to be put back in. Keep up the good work guys, keep us all posted

 

Nice to hear! Is yours a DMBS or is it a DMBC like ours? (The front compartment and the little one in the middle first-class).

 

Nice to see our article on the 119 in the Railcar Association's new bi-monthly bulletin. After spending the first working day of the new decade in the vehicle, a diary update has also been done!

 

Sorry for bumping such an old thread but I thought it was worth mentioning that Class 119 W51073 is now ready to enter service on Saturday 10th August at the railway's Multiple Memories event after 5 years restoration and 20 years since withdrawal. More information at www.e-v-r.com/multiplememories