Vehicle 51387
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 | 81D (Reading) | |
| Jan-68 | Transferred to | 84A (Laira) | |
| 3w/e 03/04/71 | Transferred to | 82A (Bristol Bath Road) | |
| 06/05/73 | Depot code change | BR | |
| 28/02/76 | Transferred to | RG (Reading) | |
| 14/12/92 | Sector Change to | RG (Reading) NWXX | |
| 03/12/93 | Transferred to | BY (Bletchley) NGBX | |
| 2w/e 14/10/95 | Withdrawn from | BY (Bletchley) |
Modifications
p/e 11/03/72 - Dual AWS fitted
p/e 02/04/77 - WR AWS removed
Refurbished
At Swindon Works dated 11/06/1977 released in white/blue stripe livery51387 was involved in the following incident:
18/02/95 - Wanstead Heath
Collision involving Class 117 / Freight
Info from p151 April 1995 Railway Observer
Class 117 set L722 (51345 + 51387) collided with a freight train at Wanstead Park.
Disposal
Scrapped by Gwent Demolition, Margam at East Ham
Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:
| 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | As delivered to Reading - April 1960 | ||||||
| RDG308 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Listed at Reading - Aug-60 | |||||
| LA312 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Noted circa Mar-68 - in plain blue with small yellow panel, formerly RDG308 | |||||
| 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Noted 22nd December 1968 | ||||||
| 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Noted 10th February 1969 | ||||||
| 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Noted 10th October 1969 | ||||||
| 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Transfer to 82A - 3w/e 03/04/71 | ||||||
| 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Noted 25/08/1971 - at Cardiff1 | ||||||
| B407 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Noted 06/09/73 - in Cardiff Central2 | |||||
| B407 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Noted 03/05/1975 - Seen on branch line to Bridport3 | |||||
| B407 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Noted 08/1975 - at Birmingham New Street on either 16th or 23rd August 19754 | |||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Listed at RG - 01/05/1976 | |||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Noted 27/10/1977 - Oxford Station5 | |||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Listed at RG - 31st December 1977 | |||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Noted 07/02/1980 - At Oxford5 | |||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Listed at RG - 03/03/80 | |||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Noted circa 04/19823 | |||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59549 | 51387 | Noted 19/06/1982 - Hertfordshire Railtours Witchfinder General L423+L410+L405 59549 temporarily in set L410 | |||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Listed at RG - 15/12/1982 | |||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Noted 23/07/83 - at Newbury Racecourse2 | |||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Noted circa 11/19843 | |||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Listed at RG - 01/01/85 | |||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Noted 19/10/19853 | |||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Noted 05/04/19863 | |||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Listed at Reading - Summer 1986 | |||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Noted circa 06/19863 | |||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Noted 21/06/1986 - at Paddington6 | |||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Noted 21/06/1986 - at West Drayton6 | |||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Noted 21/06/1986 - at Old Oak Common6 | |||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Noted circa 08/19863 | |||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Noted 13/09/1986 - at Reading6 | |||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Noted 18/10/1986 - at Paddington6 | |||||
| L410 | 51387 | Noted 25/02/1987 - at Old Oak Common6 | |||||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Noted 21/04/87 - at Royal Oak2 | |||||
| 53540 | 59497 | 51387 | Noted circa 07/19873 | ||||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Listed at RG - Aug-87 | |||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Listed at RG - 15/05/89 | |||||
| L410 | 51387 | 59497 | 55029 | Noted 28/09/1990 - Reported in RCTS Railway Observer 5 | |||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Listed at RG - 21/01/91 | |||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Noted 16/02/1991 - At London Paddington.7 | |||||
| 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Noted 17/02/91 - on London Paddington - Reading service | ||||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Noted circa 02/19923 | |||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Listed at RG - 24/02/92 - NSE NWRX pool | |||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Listed at RG - 12/08/92 | |||||
| 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Noted 25/09/92 - on 22:47 Paddington - Reading8 | ||||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Listed at RG - November 1992 - Sector NWRX | |||||
| L410 | 51345 | 59497 | 51387 | Listed at RG - November 1993 - Sector NWXX | |||||
| L722 | 51345 | 51387 | Noted 19/02/1994 - BLS Radlett Roundabout Railtour L703+L722 | ||||||
| L722 | 51345 | 51387 | Listed at BY - Jul-94 |
Formation Sources
1: Jeremy Goodyear
2: Gerald Brown
3: Eddie Knorn
4: Peter Wallwork
5: Shayne Lewis
6: Robert Chilton
7: Dave Warby
8: David Bellamy
Images:
3rd May 1975
Set number: B407
This is the interior of 51387, part of Class 117 no. B407, taken as the train was leaving Toller during the Dorset Dawdler railtour on 03/05/1975. It is believed that tour participants joined this service train during the break. Graeme Phillips Collection.
circa mid-June 1977
Set number: L410
An official image (1 of 18, negative W6691/24) from a internal BR photo album titled 'Refurbished Class 117/118 DMU Production'. It shows set L410 which was W51387 + W59497 + W51345 circa mid-June 1977. British Rail.
circa mid-June 1977
Set number: L410
An official image (2 of 18, negative W6691/22) from a internal BR photo album titled 'Refurbished Class 117/118 DMU Production'. It shows the front of W51387 from set L410 circa mid-June 1977. British Rail.
circa mid-June 1977
Set number: L410
An official image (12 of 18, negative W6691/05) from a internal BR photo album titled 'Refurbished Class 117/118 DMU Production'. It shows the interior of a power car, presumably W51387 from set L410 circa mid-June 1977. British Rail.
circa mid-June 1977
Set number: L410
An official image (13 of 18, negative W6691/12) from a internal BR photo album titled 'Refurbished Class 117/118 DMU Production'. This shows the gangway between two vehicles, presumably inside DMS W51387 looking into TCL W59497 circa mid-June 1977. British Rail.
15th November 1979
Set number: L410
Class 117 DMU set L410 (presumably 51387 + 59497 + 51345) at Oxford with a service for Paddington on 15 November 1979. Brian Daniels.
Unknown date
Set number: L410
Class 117 set L410 (presumably 51387 + 59497 + 51345) at Pangbourne. Undated. Adrian Vaughan.
1981
Set number: L410
Seen at Reading in the first half of 1981 is Class 117 DMU set L410 (51387 + 59497) with a bubble car standing in for the DMBS. Rob Paterson.
1981
Set number: L428
Class 117 DMU set L428 (51408 + 59518 + 51366) at Slough in the first half of 1981. Rob Paterson.
September 1981
Set number: L410
A visit to Kennington, south of Oxford on a late afternoon in September 1981 found the sun on the wrong side for any decent photos. This is class 117 DMU L410 (W51387 + W59497 + W51345) on a Padding to Oxford stopping service passing a former rail served factory which has long since been demolished and the inevitable forest of trees now encroach on the line from both sides. Murray Liston.
Unknown date
Set number: L410
A class 117 DMU is a very unusual visitor to Gillingham (Kent). Set L410 (presumably 51387 + 59497 + 51345) ran there in connection with an Oxford v Gillingham football match. Circa 1982/3. Stuart Pearce.
Unknown date
Set number: L410
W51387 closest with Class 117 DMU set L410 at Reading (General) - date unknown. Paul Redmond.
1983
Set number: L410
Class 117 set L410 arrives into London Paddington in 1983, with 51387 leading, presumably with 59497 + 51345. John Law.
13th April 1991
Set number: L410
Class 117 DMU set L410 (51387 and presumably 59497 + 51345) departs from Paddington with a Reading service on 13 April 1991. Dave Warby.
23rd October 1993
Set number: L410
Class 117 DMU set L410, presumed 51387/59497/51345, at Rectory Lane Crossing with the 12.33 Reading to Gatwick service on 23 October 1993. Rob Paterson.
February 1994
Set number: L722
Bound for Barking set L722 (51387 + 51345) halts at Walthamstow Queens Road in October 1994. Ian Buck.
The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:
Date: 3rd May 1975
A busy scene at Maiden Newton on 3 May 1975. A Class 120 and 119 (B572) are in the closest platform while many participants of the Southern Electric Group 'Dorset Dawdler' tour wait to board W55033 and Class 117 set B407 (51387 + 59497 + 51345) for a trip on the Bridport branch. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Date: 3rd May 1975
Class 117 DMU set B407 (51345 + 59497 + 51387) departs from Bridport station on 3 May 1975 carrying participants of the Southern Electric Group 'Dorset Dawdler' railtour during an almost three hour tour layover at Maiden Newton. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Date: 3rd May 1975
Set number: B133
Class 121 "bubble car" W55033 leads a Class 117 DMU (W51387 visible) at Powerstock on the last day of services on the Bridport branch, 3 May 1975. Nicholas T Smith.
Date: 3rd May 1975
Set number: B133
W55033 and a Class 117 DMU (W51387 just visible) depart from Bridport on the last day of services on the branch, 3 May 1975. Nicholas T Smith.
Date: 3rd May 1975
Set number: B407
Last day on the Bridport Branch, 3rd May 1975. W51345 leads set B407 (with 59497 + 51387), with branch regular W55033 on the rear, into Toller station with a Maiden Newton-Bridport service. Nicholas T Smith.
Date: 3rd May 1975
Set number: B407
W51345 trails on Class 117 DMU set B407 (with 59497 + 51387), W55033 leads at the far end, departing Powerstock station with a Bridport-Maiden Newton service. The service was normally operated by a single car but strengthened as this was the last day of passenger trains on the Bridport Branch - 3rd May 1975. Nicholas T Smith.
Date: 3rd May 1975
Set number: B407
The Southern Electric Group 'Dorset Dawdler' railtour included an almost three hour break at Maiden Newton which allowed participants the opportunity to travel on the Bridport branch on the last day of operation - 3rd May 1975. The railtour headboard was carried on the branch service train, formed of B407 (51345 + 59497 + 51387) and B133 (55033), seen arriving into Powerstock station. Nicholas T Smith.
Date: 3rd May 1975
Set number: B407
Last day on the Bridport Branch, 3rd May 1975. B407 (W51345 + W59497 + W51387) with B133 (W55033) attract lots of attention at Bridport before departing for Maiden Newton. Nicholas T Smith.
Date: 3rd May 1975
Set number: B407
The Dorset Dawdler railtour at Bridport on 3rd May 1975, formed of Class 117 DMU set B407 (presumably W51345 + W59497 + W51387) with B133 (W55033). Stuart Mackay Collection.
Date: unknown
Set number: L410
Class 117 DMBS W51345 leads set L410 (presumably with 59497 + 51387), thought to be taken between Twyord and Reading. Date unknown, probably between February 1976 when it was transferred to Reading and May 1977 when it was refurbished. Glyn Weigh.
Date: 16th May 1981
Set number: L410
Class 117 set L410 (presumably 51345 + 59497 + 51387) is seen at Ranelagh Bridge on May 16, 1981. Steve Davies Collection.
Date: 19th June 1982
Set number: L405
The Hertfordshire Railtours 'Witchfinder General' at Sizewell sidings on June 19th 1982. It was formed of Class 117 sets L405 + L410 (with a Met-Camm centre car) + L423 (51340 + 59491 + 51381 / 51387 + 59549 + 51345 / 51399 + 59513 + 51361). Image by Richard Huggins. John Law Collection.
Date: 19th June 1982
Set number: L405
The Hertfordshire Railtours 'Witchfinder General' at Sizewell sidings on June 19th 1982. It was formed of Class 117 sets L405 + L410 (with a Met-Camm centre car) + L423 (51340 + 59491 + 51381 / 51387 + 59549 + 51345 / 51399 + 59513 + 51361). Image by Richard Huggins. John Law Collection.
Date: 19th June 1982
Set number: L405
The Hertfordshire Railtours 'Witchfinder General' at Sizewell sidings on June 19th 1982. It was formed of Class 117 sets L405 + L410 (with a Met-Camm centre car) + L423 (51340 + 59491 + 51381 / 51387 + 59549 + 51345 / 51399 + 59513 + 51361). Image by Richard Huggins. John Law Collection.
Date: 19th June 1982
Set number: L405
The Hertfordshire Railtours 'Witchfinder General' at Ipswich Lower Yard on June 19th 1982. It was formed of Class 117 sets L405 + L410 (with a Met-Camm centre car) + L423 (51340 + 59491 + 51381 / 51387 + 59549 + 51345 / 51399 + 59513 + 51361). Image by Richard Huggins. John Law Collection.
Date: 19th June 1982
Set number: L423
The Hertfordshire Railtours 'Witchfinder General' at Ipswich Lower Yard on June 19th 1982. It was formed of Class 117 sets L423 + L410 (with a Met-Camm centre car) + L405 (51361 + 59513 + 51399 / 51345 + 59549 + 51387 / 51381 + 59491 + 51340). Image by Richard Huggins. John Law Collection.
Date: 19th June 1982
Set number: L423
The Hertfordshire Railtours 'Witchfinder General' at Ipswich Lower Yard on June 19th 1982. It was formed of Class 117 sets L423 + L410 (with a Met-Camm centre car) + L405 (51361 + 59513 + 51399 / 51345 + 59549 + 51387 / 51381 + 59491 + 51340). Image by Richard Huggins. John Law Collection.
Date: 19th June 1982
Set number: L405
The Hertfordshire Railtours 'Witchfinder General' at Thames Haven Yard on June 19th 1982. It was formed of Class 117 sets L405 + L410 (with a Met-Camm centre car) + L423 (51340 + 59491 + 51381 / 51387 + 59549 + 51345 / 51399 + 59513 + 51361). John Law.
Date: 19th June 1982
Set number: L405
The Hertfordshire Railtours 'Witchfinder General' on the Felixstowe Docks branch on June 19th 1982. 51340 is noted as leading, the other vehicles visible should be 59491 + 51381 / 51387 + 59549 + 51345. Image by Richard Huggins. John Law Collection.
Date: 23rd February 1983
Set number: L410
Set L410 at Wargrave on 23/02/1983, with DMBS W51345 leading (presumably with 59497 + 51387) on a service heading for Twyford. Graeme Phillips Collection.
Date: circa 1987
Blue-grey Class 104 DMBS 53540 is part of a suburban set when seen in Reading station. The other two vehicles are likely to be 59497 and 51387 which it ran with in mid-1987. Mike Bunker.
Date: 8th July 1987
A hybrid DMU in Oxford station on 9 July 1987, with Class 104 DMBS 53540 standing in for Class 117 DMBS. The other two vehicles are likely to be 59497 and 51387 (L410). The KDH Archive.
Date: 5th May 1990
Set number: L410
Two Class 117 DMUs are seen at Burnham on 5 May 1990. Closest is set L410, presumably 51345 + 59497 + 51387. Image taken by John Vaughan. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Date: circa 1992
Set number: L205
DMU set L205 (51387 and presumably 54385) heads away from Oxford circa 1992. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Date: 19th February 1994
Set number: L703
The BLS 'Radlett Roundabout' railtour in London Liverpool Street on 19-02-94, formed 51359 + 51401 / 51387 + 51345. John Law.
Date: 19th February 1994
Set number: L722
51345 + 51387 / 51359 + 51401 with the Branch Line Society 'Radlett Roundabout' railtour at Kettering on 19/2/94. Image by Richard Huggins. John Law Collection.
Date: 19th February 1994
Set number: L722
51345 + 51387 / 51359 + 51401 with the Branch Line Society 'Radlett Roundabout' railtour at Bedford on 19/2/94. Image by Richard Huggins. John Law.
Date: 19th February 1994
Set number: L722
The Branch Line Society 'Radlett Roundabout' railtour at Kettering on 19 February 1994 formed of Class 117s L722 (51345 + 51387) and L703 (51359 + 51401). Stuart Mackay Collection.
Date: 19th February 1994
Set number: L722
The Branch Line Society 'Radlett Roundabout' railtour at Kettering on 19 February 1994 formed of Class 117s L722 (51345 + 51387) and L703 (51359 + 51401). Stuart Mackay Collection.
Date: 19th February 1994
Set number: L722
The Branch Line Society 'Radlett Roundabout' railtour at Braunstone Gate (Leicester) on 19/2/94, with set L722 (51345 + 51387) in view. Image by Richard Huggins. John Law Collection.
Date: 19th February 1994
Set number: L722
51345 + 51387 / 51359 + 51401 with the Branch Line Society 'Radlett Roundabout' railtour at Braunstone Gate (Leicester) on 19/2/94. Image by Richard Huggins. John Law Collection.
Date: 19th February 1994
Set number: L722
Class 117 DMU sets L722+L703 at Braunstone Gate Sidings, Leicester on February 19, 1994. Doing what the BLS (Branch Line Society) did best crunching the rust on sections of the network rarely reached by other railtour operators. Here class 117 DMU sets L722 (51345+51387) & L703 (51359+51401) coupled behind disgorge their passengers into the remnants of Leicester Braunstone Gate Sidings for a photo stop on the "Radlett Rambler" railtour. This line being the former Great Central Railway route into the city from the south but truncated as a branch after the Beeching closures, its final days being to serve Vic Berry's scrapyard using a curve added by BR in 1965 off the Coalville freight line linking the former Midland and GC lines together. The whole area has since been redeveloped with no trace of the railway remaining. Adrian Nicholls.
Date: 25th June 1994
Set number: L705
L705 (51400 + 51358) 117722 (51387 + 51345), ADB975042 and ADB977723 at Bletchley on 25.6.94. Stuart Mackay Collection.