Vehicle 51356
Class 117
Builder: Pressed Steel
Layout: High Density
Length: 64ft
Coupling Code: Blue Square
Coupling Type: Screw
Gangway Type: None
Engines: Leyland 150hp
Transmission: Mechanical
Lot Number: 30546
Diagram: 534
Allocations
| Jul-60 | New to | 81C (Southall) | |
| Jul-66 | Transferred to | 81D (Reading) | |
| May 1973 | Depot code change | RG | |
| 25/08/92 | Transferred to | BY (Bletchley) NNLX | |
| 14/06/93 | Sector Change to | BY (Bletchley) NGBX | |
| Nov-00 | Withdrawn from | BY (Bletchley) |
Modifications
circa Jul-66 - Gangway(s) fitted
p/e 03/11/73 - Dual AWS fitted
Jun-75 - WR AWS removed
Refurbished
At Swindon Works dated 23/03/1978 released in white/blue stripe liveryDisposal
Preserved - W date - more details.
Preserved - more details.
Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:
| 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | As delivered to 81C - July 1960 | ||||||
| SHL310 | 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Listed at SHL - circa Oct-60 | |||||
| RDG339 | 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Listed at RDG - circa Jul-66 | |||||
| 414 | 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Listed at Reading - Apr-68 - was R339, gangwayed set | |||||
| 414 | 51356 | 59543 | 59508 | 51398 | Noted circa May-68 | ||||
| 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Noted 11/07/69 - at Royal Oak1 | ||||||
| 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Noted 10/11/1973 - BR Western Region London Branchlines Railtour 51320-59472-51305 + 51356-59508-51398 + 51365-59517-59538-51407 | ||||||
| L414 | 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Noted 30/04/75 - at Royal Oak1 | |||||
| L419 | 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Listed at RG - 01/05/1976 | |||||
| 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Noted 11/09/76 - in London Paddington2 | ||||||
| L419 | 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Noted 11/11/1977 - Oxford Station3 | |||||
| L419 | 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Listed at RG - 31st December 1977 | |||||
| L419 | 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Noted 06/05/1978 - Oxford Station3 | |||||
| L419 | 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Listed at RG - 03/03/80 | |||||
| L419 | 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Listed at RG - 15/12/1982 | |||||
| L419 | 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Listed at RG - 01/01/85 | |||||
| L419 | 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Noted circa 02/19864 | |||||
| L419 | 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Noted 05/04/19864 | |||||
| L419 | 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Listed at Reading - Summer 1986 | |||||
| L419 | 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Noted 21/06/1986 - at Slough5 | |||||
| L419 | 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Noted 21/06/19864 | |||||
| L419 | 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Noted circa 09/19864 | |||||
| L419 | 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Listed at RG - Aug-87 | |||||
| L419 | 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Noted 11/06/19884 | |||||
| L419 | 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Listed at RG - 15/05/89 | |||||
| L419 | 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Noted circa 11/19894 | |||||
| L419 | 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Noted circa 10/19904 | |||||
| L419 | 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Listed at RG - 21/01/91 | |||||
| 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Noted 17/01/92 - on 12:10 Reading - Paddington6 | ||||||
| L419 | 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Noted 20/04/92 - at Slough displaying 'Maidenhead' on the rear destination blind, possibly the 07.22 ex Paddington. 7 | |||||
| L419 | 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Listed at RG - 24/02/92 - NSE NWRX pool | |||||
| L419 | 51356 | 59508 | 51398 | Listed at RG - 12/08/92 | |||||
| L702 | 51356 | 51398 | Listed at BY - November 1992 - Sector NGBX | ||||||
| L702 | 51356 | 51398 | Noted circa 11/19924 | ||||||
| L702 | 51356 | 51398 | Listed at BY - November 1993 - Sector NGBX | ||||||
| L702 | 51356 | 51398 | Noted circa 02/19944 | ||||||
| L702 | 51356 | 51398 | Listed at BY - Jul-94 | ||||||
| 117702 | 51356 | 51398 | Formed 4w/e 02/03/96 | ||||||
| 117702 | 51356 | 51398 | Listed at BY - 02/12/96 | ||||||
| 117702 | 51356 | 51398 | Listed at BY - 01/01/98 | ||||||
| 51356 | 51398 | Noted 16/09/99 - on 2N25 18:00 Bletchley - Bedford and 2N24 18:50 Bedford - Bletchley6 | |||||||
| 117702 | 51356 | 51398 | Listed at BY - Nov-99 |
Formation Sources
1: Gerald Brown
2: Leonard Rogers
3: Shayne Lewis
4: Eddie Knorn
5: Robert Chilton
6: David Bellamy
7: Dave Warby
Images:
1971
Set number: L414
L414 (presumably 51356 + 59508 + 51398) is caught at Hinksey South in 1971. Adrian Vaughan.
December 1975
Set number: L419
Pressed Steel Class 117 3-car Suburban dmu No.L419 (presumably 51356 + 59508 + 51398) coupled to another set both in Rail Blue livery all-yellow front ends arriving at Paddington on a service from Reading, 12/75. Hugh Llewelyn.
1st March 1979
Set number: L419
Heading away from Iver on 1 March 1979 is refurbished Pressed Steel DMU set L419, presumably formed of 51356 + 59508 + 51398. George Woods.
9th August 1979
Set number: L419
L419 51356-59508-51398 London Paddington 09.08.1979 DR Walter Baumann.
1st August 1981
Set number: L419
With 'cut' buffers on the DMBS, Class 117 set L419 (presumably 51356 + 59508 + 51398) arrives into Langley station on August 1, 1981. Steve Davies Collection.
Unknown date
Set number: L419
Class 117 DMU set L419 (51356 + 59508 + 51398) thought to be about a mile west of Twyford with Sonning Golf Club in the background, date unknown. Glyn Weigh.
25th June 1983
Set number: L419
W51356 is the DMBS in L419 when seen at Oxford on 25/6/83, presumably with 59508 + 51398. Ian McDonald.
31st July 1983
Set number: L419
Class 117 DMBS W51356 leads W59508 & W51398 (set L419) as they approach Reading's country end bay platform completing a stopping service from Oxford, Sunday 31st July 1983 Iain Reid.
14th September 1983
Set number: L419
Appleford station, photographed on 14 September 1983. A Class 117 DMU (set L419 with cars 51356/59508/51398) is calling with a stopping Oxford-Paddington service. Note the GWR "pagodas" on each platform. Lewis Bevan.
November 1983
Set number: L419
Class 117 DMU set L419 (presumably 51356 + 59508 + 51398) awaits departure time at Hereford with a service for Worcester. November 1983. John Crooks.
19th July 1984
Set number: L419
Class 117 Pressed Steel 3-car DMU L419 (presumably 51356 + 59508 + 51398) at Hereford with an early evening service for Paddington on 19-7-84. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.
circa May 1985
Set number: L419
Class 117 set L419 (presumably 51356 + 59508 + 51398) at Southall circa May 1985. Stuart Mackay Collection.
circa August 1989
Set number: L419
Class 117 DMU set L419 departs from Southall circa August 1989. W51356 leads, presumably with 59508 + 51398. Stuart Mackay Collection.
circa 1991
Set number: L419
Pressed Steel Class 117 unit L419 heading west through West Ealing station circa 1991. The Class 117 Pressed Steel units had a monopoly of local services out of Paddington for 30 years, from 1959 to 1989. By the time this photo was taken, they were about to be finally replaced by new generation Class 165 Thames Turbo sprinters. A smart looking NSE liveried 3-car unit L419, made up of 51398, 59508 & 51356 is seen passing through the newly refurbished West Ealing station, about 7 miles out of Paddington. Chris McKee.
Unknown date
Set number: L702
Set L702 (51356 and presumably 51398) gets a wash inside Bletchey TMD. Undated. Graham Baker.
1993
Set number: L702
Class 117 two-car set L702 (51356 and presumably 51398) at Gospel Oak in 1993. John Law.
24th September 1993
Set number: L702
Class 117 DMU set L702 (51356 + 51398) arrives into Leytonstone on 24 September 1993. Signal box built in 1894 for the Tottenham and Forest Gate Railway. Phil Bevan.
8th June 1994
Set number: L702
Network Southeast Class 117 set No. L702 (51356 and 51398) departs Kensington (Olympia) working the late running 13:00 Clapham Junction to Willesden Junction service on 8 June 1994. Brian Creasey.
23rd December 1994
Set number: L702
On a foggy 23rd December 1994 set 117702 (51356 and presumably 51398) at Clapham Junction on the West London line service. Ian Buck.
28th April 1995
Set number: L702
L702 (presumably 51356 + 51398) passes Shepherds Bush on the West London line on 28th April 1995. There is now a station near this spot which has changed out of all recognition after the construction of the Westfield Shopping Centre. Ian Buck.
17th June 1996
Set number: L702
L702, 51356 + 51398, Clapham Junction 17/6/96. Sparegang.
20th September 1996
Set number: L702
Class 117 DMBS 51356, set number L702 (presumably with 51398), is seen at Kensington Olympia with a working from Clapham Junction to Willesden Junction on 20.09.1996. Today these services are incredibly busy, especially during the peak times. Andy Cole.
23rd October 1996
Set number: L702
DMU L702, consisting of 2 Class 117 vehicles (presumably 51356 + 51398), arriving at Bow Brickhill on the 15.30 Bletchley-Bedford on 23 October 1996. Lewis Bevan.
Unknown date
Set number: L702
On an unknown date 51356 leads class 117 set 117702 (presumably with 51398) into Harringey Green Lanes on a Barking service. Ian Buck.
9th July1998
Set number: L702
L702 (presumably 51356 + 51398) departing Bedford St Johns for Bletchley on 09 07 1998, L702 has departed from Bedford St Johns platform and is about to pass Bedford St Johns Signal Box before entering the double track section towards Bletchley. Paul Fleet.
15th October 1998
Set number: L702
Class 117 car 51356 leads set 117702 into Bow Brickhill on 15th October 1998, presumably with 51398. Ian Buck.
15th October 1998
Set number: L702
Arriving at Apsley Guise class 117 set 117702 (51356 and presumably 51398) on 15th October 1998. Ian Buck.
13th August 1999
Set number: L702
51356 at Upper Holloway on 13th August 1999, presumably with 51398. Ian Buck.
3rd February 2000
Set number: L702
Out of service at Bletchley Depot 51356 on 3rd October 2000. Ian Buck.
The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:
Date: 10th November 1973
Set number: L464
On November 10, 1973, the Western Region ran a ten-car DMU 'London Branch Lines Tour' from Paddington. It comprised a 4-car 117 set L464 with a 101 centre car (51407 + 59538 + 59517 + 51365), 3-car 117 (51398 + 59508 + 51356) and a 3-car Class 118 (51305 + 59472 + 51320). W51407 is seen at the front during the stop at Morris Cowley. Hamish Stevenson.
Date: 13th May 1974
Set number: L414
Pressed Steel Class 117 set L414 (presumably 51398 + 59508 + 51356) at Maidenhead on the 13th May 74, in the days when tail lamps were used on DMU's. 54A South Dock.
Date: unknown
Set number: L414
Class 117 DMU set L414 (presumably 51398 + 59508 + 51356) at Maidenhead. Date unknown, possibly circa early 1980s. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Date: 16th September 1983
Set number: L129
Pressed Steel vehicles at Paddington on the 16th September 1983. 55029 is attached to 51356. Hamish Stevenson.
Date: March 1989
Set number: L419
Class 117 set L419 (presumably 51398 + 59508 + 51356) passes Southall circa March 1989. It carries the NSE flash under the centre cab window, and NSE markings on the centre car. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Date: 20th April 1992
Set number: L419
Class 117 DMU set L419 (51398 + 59508 + 51356) departs from Slough on 20 April 1992 thought to be on the 07:22 Paddington - Maidenhead. Dave Warby.
Date: 24th September 1993
Set number: L702
Class 117 DMU set L702, 51398 + 51356, at Leytonstone High Road station on 24 September 1993. Phil Bevan.
Date: 20th January 1994
Set number: L702
L702 (presumably 51356 + 51398) at Bletchley on 22 January 1994. At the time the Bedford service was mainly bubbles cars but 2-car sets would be used for the schools traffic. AndrewHA.
Date: 8th June 1994
Set number: L720
Network Southeast Class 117 set No. L720 (51354 and 51396) arrives at Kensington (Olympia) working the 13:30 Willesden Junction to Clapham Junction service on 8 June 1994. On the right, Network Southeast Class 117 set No. L702 (51356 and 51398) stands under the footbridge working the late running 13:00 Clapham Junction to Willesden Junction service. Brian Creasey.
Date: 13th February 1995
Set number: L702
Class 117 car 51398 at the rear of the three car "school train" at Bedford on 13th February 1995. L702 should also contain 51356. Ian Buck.
Date: 9th July 1998
Set number: L702
L702 (presumably 51398 + 51356) drawing to a halt at Kempston Hardwick on 09 07 1998. Following the closure of the numerous brick works in the area during the 70's and 80's, the halt saw very little traffic other than a few hardy souls 'commuting' to Bedford. Paul Fleet.
Date: 28th August 1998
Set number: L702
Class 117 2-car unit L702, made up of 51398 + 51356, at Bedford on 28 August 1998, will form the 16.20 to Bletchley on 28 August 1998. Lewis Bevan.
Date: 15th October 1998
Set number: L702
At Bow Brickhill, one of many minor halts on the Bedford to Bletchley line sees the arrival of class 117 51398 on the front of set 117702 (L702, presumably with 51356) on 15th October 1998. Ian Buck.
Date: 12th March 1999
Set number: L702
On the Gospel Oak to Barking line 51398 leads set 117702 (L702, presumably with 51356) into Wanstead Park on the 12th March 1999. Ian Buck.
Date: 14th August 1999
Set number: L702
51398 + 51356 at Harringey Green Lanes, 14/8/99. Sparegang.
Date: 8th September 1999
Set number: L702
Two-car Class 117 set L702 (51398 + 51356) arrives at South Tottenham on 8 September 1999. Sparegang.
Date: 12th October 1999
Set number: L702
51398 51356 at Barking with a Barking - Gospel Oak service on October 12, 1999. Nigel Walls.
Date: 12th October 1999
Set number: L702
51398 51356 at Gospel Oak with a Gospel Oak - Barking service on October 12, 1999. Nigel Walls.