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Vehicle 51383

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: 30548
Diagram: 535

Allocations

Apr-60	New to	81C (Southall)
Apr-68	Transferred to	81D (Reading)
May 1973	Depot code change	RG
14/12/92	Sector Change to	RG (Reading) NWXX
03/12/93	Transferred to	BY (Bletchley) NGBX
Aug-99	Transferred to	HQ (Headquarters)
Mar-00	Withdrawn from	HQ (Headquarters)

Modifications

3w/e 06/11/71 - Dual AWS fitted
p/e 06/09/75 - WR AWS removed

Refurbished

At Swindon Works dated 16/06/1978 released in white/blue stripe livery

Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:

	51341	59493	51383	As delivered to Southall - April 1960
SHL303	51341	59493	51383	Listed at Southall - Aug-60 - or perhaps SHL304?
454	51341	59493	51383	Listed at Southall - Apr-68 - was S303, non-gangwayed set
	51341	59493	51383	Noted 19/11/70 - at Paddington¹
	51341	59493	51383	Noted 03/03/73 - at Reading²
	51341	59493	51383	Noted 28/08/73 - in Paddington¹
L454	51341	59493	51383	Noted 30/09/1973 - 51370-59522-51412 + 51341-59493-51383 + 51361-59543-59513-51403 L466-L454-L416 BR Merrymaker excursion Oxford to Brighton
L454	51341	59493	51383	Noted 13/12/73 - at Royal Oak²
	51341	59493	51383	Noted 08/04/1974 - at Reading³
L454	55020	59493	51383	Noted 30/08/74 - in Paddington, 55020 set number L120²
L406	51341	59493	51383	Listed at RG - 01/05/1976
	51341	59493	51383	Noted 11/09/76 - in London Paddington¹
L406	51341	59493	51383	Noted 26/05/1977 - Oxford Station⁴
L406	51341	59493	51383	Noted 07/10/1977 - Oxford to Didcot area⁴
L406	51341	59493	51383	Noted 08/10/1977 - Oxford Station⁴
L406	51341	59493	51383	Listed at RG - 31st December 1977
L406	51341	59493	51383	Noted 16/07/1978 - Reading Station⁴
L406	51341	59493	51383	Noted 16/07/1978 - Reading Station⁴
L406	51341	59493	51383	Noted 06/08/79 - on 1A51 1140 Worcester SH-Paddington vice Loco-Hauled
L406	51341	59493	51383	Noted 25/01/1980 - At Oxford Station⁴
L406	51341	59493	51383	Listed at RG - 03/03/80
L406	51341	59493	51383	Noted 05/09/1981 - Hertfordshire Railtours Severn Freighter
L406	51341	59493	51383	Listed at RG - 15/12/1982
L406	51341	59493	51383	Noted 05/11/1983 - Hertfordshire Railtours The Glamorgan Freighter B439+L406+55020
L406	51341	59493	51383	Noted circa 01/1984⁵
L406	51341	59493	51383	Listed at RG - 01/01/85
L406	51341	59493	51383	Noted 23/11/1985 - at Paddington⁶
L406	51341	59493	51383	Listed at Reading - Summer 1986
L406	51341	59493	51383	Noted circa 06/1986⁵
L406	51341	59493	51383	Noted 31/01/1987⁵
L406	51341	59493	51383	Noted 25/02/1987 - at Old Oak Common⁶
	51341	59493	51383	Noted 04/06/87 - on 14:14 Maidenhead - Paddington⁷
	51341	59493	51383	Noted 27/07/87 - on 12:14 Maidenhead - Paddington⁷
L406	51341	59493	51383	Listed at RG - Aug-87
L406	51341	59493	51383	Noted circa 08/1987⁵
L406	51341	59493	51383	Noted circa 02/1989⁵
L406	51341	59493	51383	Listed at RG - 15/05/89
L406	51341	59493	51383	Noted circa 07/1990⁵
L406	51341	59493	51383	Listed at RG - 21/01/91
L406	51341	59493	51383	Listed at RG - 24/02/92 - NSE NWRX pool
L406	51341	59493	51383	Listed at RG - 12/08/92
L406	51341	59493	51383	Noted circa 09/1992⁵
L406	51341	59493	51383	Listed at RG - November 1992 - Sector NWRX
L406	51341	59493	51383	Noted 3rd March 1993
L406	51341	59493	51383	Listed at RG - November 1993 - Sector NWXX
L704	51341	51383		Noted circa 03/1994⁵
L704	51341	51383		Listed at BY - Jul-94
117704	51341	51383		Listed at BY - 02/12/96
117704	51341	51383		Listed at BY - 01/01/98
117704	51341	51383		Noted 14/04/99 - on Gospel Oak - Barking services

Formation Sources
1: Leonard Rogers
2: Gerald Brown
3: Jeremy Goodyear
4: Shayne Lewis
5: Eddie Knorn
6: Robert Chilton
7: Martin Baumann

Images:

12th November 1977

Set number: L406

Class 117 set L406 (presumably 51383 + 59493 + 51341) at Twyford on November 12, 1977. Steve Davies Collection.

Unknown date

Set number: L406

Refurbished DMU L406 on a Reading - Tonbridge service at Guildford, date unknown. The DMS closest is presumably 51383 (with oval buffers) which had been in the set since before it was refurbished in June 1978. The other two vehicles are presumably 59493 + 51341. John Law.

August 1984

Set number: L406

Two Class 117 DMUs at Paddington in August 1984. Closest is set L406 - W51383 and presumably W59493 + W51341. Hugh Llewelyn.

30th May 1986

Set number: L406

Class 117 set L406 (presumably 51383 + 59493 + 51341) on a late morning Paddington - Reading service at Twyford on Friday 30th May 1986. Colin Brooks.

18th January 1987

Set number: L408

Over the weekend of 15th-18th January 1987 a large amount of snow fell in the Eastern Counties. So much so that for one reason or another Norwich Crown Point Depot could not supply a Unit to NSE to work on the Sudbury Branch from Colchester as from Monday 19th. January. The previous weeks had gone back for maintenance on the Saturday night. Network South East's DMU depot at Reading were asked to help out with a 2 car set and early on the Sunday afternoon Class 117 set L408 W51385 + W51343 turned up. It is seen in platform 6 of Colchester North Station on a bitterly cold Sunday 18th January. AndrewHA.

18th March 1993

Set number: L406

Class 117 DMU set L406 (51383 + 59493 + 51341) at Reading on 18 March 1993. Sparegang.

23rd October 1993

Set number: L406

Class 117 DMU set L406, presumed 51383/59493/51341, at Rectory Lane Crossing with the 12.43 Redhill to Guildford service on 23 October 1993. Rob Paterson.

23rd October 1993

Set number: L406

Class 117 DMU set L406, presumed 51383/59493/51341, departs from Chilworth with the 14.32 Guildford to Redhill service on 23 October 1993. Rob Paterson.

24th October 1993

Set number: L406

Class 117 DMU set L406, presumed 51383/59493/51341, near Lawrence Lane with the 09.15 Gatwick to Reading on 24 October 1993. Rob Paterson.

1994

Set number: L704

Pressed Steel Class 117 DMU set L704 (51383 + 51341) at Gospel Oak on a service to Barking sometime in 1994. Neil Smith.

19th March 1994

Set number: L704

Class 117 2-Car DMU set L704 at Watford Junction on March 19th 1994. The DMU was formed of driving cars 51383 & 51341, originally a 3-car set with an intermediate trailer car, the unit had been built by Pressed Steel in 1959. Martyn Hilbert.

Unknown date

Set number: 117704

On an unknown date 117704 (51383 + 51341) arrives at South Tottenham. Ian Buck.

circa June 1996

Set number: 117704

117704 (51383 + 51341) at Bletchley after arrival from Bedford circa June 1996. Stuart Mackay Collection.

30th December 1996

Set number: 117704

117704 (presumably 51383 + 51341) arriving into Kempston Hardwick (on the Bedford to Bletchley line) on 30.12.96. Phil Bevan.

12th March 1999

Set number: 117704

Set 117704 (51383 leading 51341) is at Barking on the 12th March 1999. Ian Buck.

14th April 1999

Set number: 117704

Set 117704 (51383 + 51341) at Gospel Oak 14th April 1999. Ian Buck.

The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:

Date: early 1970s

Set number: L454

Two Pressed Steel suburban sets head away from the camera towards Hayes and Harlington circa early 1970s. Closest set L454 and DMBS W51341 presumably with 59493 + 51383. Stuart Mackay Collection.

Date: 23rd July 1976

Set number: L406

Class 117 set L406, W51341 closest and presumably with 59493 + 51383, at Ealing Broadway on 23 July 1976. Nigel Menzies.

Date: 31st May 1981

Set number: L406

A BR organized last train to the Wallingford branch at Wallingford on 31 May 1981. The Six Bells Junction website notes the vehicles as L406 (51341 + 59493 + 51383) with L415 (51351 + 59503 + 51393). Brian Daniels.

Date: 31st May 1981

Set number: L406

Date: 31st May 1981

Set number: L406

The BR organized last train to the Wallingford branch waiting to leave Paddington on 31 May 1981. It is formed of two Class 117 DMUs - L406 (51341 + 59493 + 51383) and L415 (51351 + 59503 + 51393). Brian Daniels.

Date: January 1983

Set number: L406

Freshly painted Class 117 DMU set L406 (presumably 51341 + 59493 + 51383) seen at Iver in January 1983. Andrew Malloy.

Date: 29th January 1983

Set number: L406

Class 117 Pressed Steel DMU L406 (51341 + 59493 + 51383) at Oxford on 29-1-83. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.

Date: 5th November 1983

Set number: B439

The 'Glamorgan Freighter' railtour during its stop at Swansea East Depot on 5 November 1983. It was formed of B439 (51348 / 59479 / 51390), L406 (51341 / 59493 / 51383) & L120 (55020) Chris Lings.

Date: 5th November 1983

Set number: B439

Stopped at Onllwyn on 5 November 1983 is the 'Glamorgan Freighter' railtour (51348 / 59479 / 51390 + 51341 / 59493 / 51383 + 55020). Chris Lings.

Date: 1987

Set number: L406

Class 117 DMU unit L406 (presumably 51341 + 59493 + 51383) seen arriving at Moreton-in-Marsh, heading south in 1987. Bob Belcher.

Date: 25th February 1987

Class 121 'Bubble Car' 55027 of Reading is seen smoking away quietly to itself, in front of Class 117 DMS no. 51383 also from Reading, in the carriage sidings at Old Oak Common on 25 February 1987. Robert Chilton.

Date: 15th May 1987

Set number: L406

Stratford-upon-Avon didn't see many vehicles in Network South-East colours. So when I saw from my then kitchen window class 117 L406 (51341 + 59493 + 51383) going towards the station on 15 May 1987 it seemed like a good idea to walk down to the Stratford East signalbox and ask Mick the bobby if I might take a shot from his window as it left a few minutes later. He was always happy for some company so called me up and put the kettle on. I did also take a colour slide but it was so unsharp that no amount of work after scanning made it acceptable. The train was the 17.50 to Birmingham Snow Hill photographed as it passed over the Stratford-upon-Avon canal with a background that has changed beyond recognition with the WW2 cold store having been demolished and the entire site covered with a Morrisons supermarket. Peter Tandy.

Date: 1st October 1987

Set number: L406

Class 117 set L406 (51341 + 59493 + 51383) heads away from West Drayton station on October 1, 1987. Malcolm Clements.

Date: circa March 1988

Set number: L406

Class 117 centre car 59493 in Southall station circa March 1988. It should be part of set L406 between DMBS 51341 and DMC 51383. Stuart Mackay Collection.

Date: 28th August 1991

Set number: L421

Two Class 117 sets at Redhill on August 28th, 1991. On the left is L406 (51341 + 59493 + 51383) and on the right L421 (51401 (is it carrying a number?) + 59511 + 51359). Rex Holt.

Date: 23rd October 1993

Set number: L406

Class 117 DMU set L406, presumed 51341/59493/51383, near Lawrence Lane with the 11.32 Guildford to Redhill on 23 October 1993. Rob Paterson.

Date: 23rd October 1993

Set number: L406

Class 117 DMU set L406, presumed 51341/59493/51383, at Chilworth with the 14.32 Guildford to Redhill service on 23 October 1993. Rob Paterson.

Date: 24th October 1993

Set number: L406

Class 117 DMU set L406, presumed 51341/59493/51383, near Chilworth with the 11.20 Reading to Gatwick service on 24 October 1993. Rob Paterson.

Date: 1994

Set number: L704

Pressed Steel Class 117 DMU set L704 (51341 + 51383) at Gospel Oak on a service to Barking sometime in 1994. Neil Smith.

Date: 23rd December 1994

Set number: 117704

Class 117 set 117704 with 51341 + 51383 is arriving at Crouch Hill in the fog on 23rd December 1994. Ian Buck.

Date: 16th May 1995

Set number: 117704

Set 117704 (51341 + 51383) is berthed at Bletchley Depot on the 16th May 1995. Ian Buck.

Date: circa June 1996

Set number: 117704

Two-car Pressed Steel Class 117 set 117704 (51341 + 51383) at Bedford with a Bletchley service circa June 1996. Stuart Mackay Collection.

Date: 11th August 1996

Set number: L123

At St Albans Abbey Pressed Steel Class 121 DMBS 55023 heads the 08.44 to Watford Junction attached to two-car Class 117 set 117704 (presumably 51383 + 51341) on 11 August 1996. Dave Warby.

Date: 11th August 1996

Set number: L123

At St Albans Abbey Pressed Steel Class 121 DMBS 55023 heads the 08.44 to Watford Junction attached to two-car Class 117 set 117704 (presumably 51383 + 51341) on 11 August 1996. Dave Warby.

Date: 11th August 1996

Set number: 117704

At Watford Junction on 11 August 1996 Pressed Steel Class 117 set 117704 (DMBS 51341 and presumably DMS 51383) is working the 08.27 To St Albans Abbey. Green Liveried Class 121 55023 is at attached to the rear. Dave Warby.

Date: 30th December 1996

Set number: 117704

117704 (presumably 51341 + 51383) arriving into Lidlington (on the Bedford to Bletchley line) on 30.12.96. Phil Bevan.

Date: 5th July 1997

Set number: 117704

117704 (presumably 51341 + 51383) at Gospel Oak on July 5, 1997. David Page.

Date: 15th October 1998

Set number: 117704

51341 leads set 117704 with 51383 into Leyton Midland Road on 15th October 1998. Ian Buck.

Date: 1st April 1999

Set number: 117704

One of the last duties of what are generally referred to as "First Generation dmus" was the Bedford to Bletchley line. Here, a Pressed Steel class 117, reduced to a 2 car set and numbered 117704 (51341 closest, presumably with 51383) approaches Stewartby station, bound for Bletchley on April 1, 1999. Mike Dean.

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