Vehicle 51401
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
| Jul-60 | New to | 81C (Southall) | |
| Apr-68 | Transferred to | 81D (Reading) | |
| May 1973 | Depot code change | RG | |
| 18/09/92 | Transferred to | OO (Old Oak Common) NWRX | |
| 14/06/93 | Transferred to | BY (Bletchley) NGBX | |
| 4w/e 12/10/96 | Transferred to | HQ (Headquarters) SCOL | |
| Feb-97 | Withdrawn from | HQ (Headquarters) |
Modifications
22/11/72 - Dual AWS fitted
Jun-75 - WR AWS removed
Refurbished
At Swindon Works dated 10/04/1980 released in blue/grey liveryDisposal
Preserved - more details.
Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:
| 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | As delivered to SHL - July 1960 | ||||||
| SHL312 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Listed at SHL - circa Dec-60 | |||||
| 461 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Listed at Southall - Apr-68 - was S312, non-gangwayed set | |||||
| 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Noted 19/07/69 - at Royal Oak1 | ||||||
| 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Noted 07/03/70 - at Royal Oak1 | ||||||
| 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Noted 28/08/73 - in Paddington2 | ||||||
| 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Noted 08/04/1974 - at Reading3 | ||||||
| L461 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Noted 30/04/75 - at Royal Oak1 | |||||
| 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Noted 12/07/1975 - at Birmingham New Street4 | ||||||
| L461 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Noted 06/12/75 - on 2A70 1118 Paddington-Didcot | |||||
| L461 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Noted 31/01/76 - on 2A28 1348 Paddington-Reading with 55028 + L469 | |||||
| L421 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Listed at RG - 01/05/1976 | |||||
| 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Noted 08/09/76 - at Reading1 | ||||||
| L421 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Noted 05/1977 - Oxford Didcot Reading area5 | |||||
| L427 | 51365 | 59517 | 51401 | Noted 05/1977 - Oxford Didcot Reading area5 | |||||
| L421 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Noted 21st May 1977 | |||||
| 51359 | 59543 | 51401 | Noted 01/09/772 | ||||||
| L421 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Noted 11/11/1977 - Oxford Station5 | |||||
| L421 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Listed at RG - 31st December 1977 | |||||
| L421 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Noted 16/07/1978 - Reading Station5 | |||||
| L421 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Noted 16/07/1978 - Reading Station5 | |||||
| L421 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Noted 28/08/1979 - At Slough P6BAY 17325 | |||||
| L421 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Listed at RG - 03/03/80 | |||||
| L421 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Noted 05/04/19826 | |||||
| L421 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Listed at RG - 15/12/1982 | |||||
| L421 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Listed at RG - 01/01/85 | |||||
| L421 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Noted 28/09/19856 | |||||
| L421 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Noted 19/10/19856 | |||||
| L421 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Noted 11/02/19866 | |||||
| L421 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Listed at Reading - Summer 1986 | |||||
| L421 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Noted 26/08/19866 | |||||
| 51341 | 59511 | 51401 | Noted 13/09/19866 | ||||||
| L421 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Noted 01/08/19876 | |||||
| L421 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Listed at RG - Aug-87 | |||||
| L421 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Noted circa 04/19886 | |||||
| L421 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Listed at - 15/05/89 | |||||
| L421 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Listed at RG - 21/01/91 | |||||
| L421 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Listed at RG - 24/02/92 - NSE NWRX pool | |||||
| L421 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Listed at RG - 12/08/92 | |||||
| L421 | 51359 | 59511 | 51401 | Listed at OO - November 1992 - Sector NWRX | |||||
| L703 | 51359 | 51401 | Noted 15th October 1993 | ||||||
| L703 | 51359 | 51401 | Listed at BY - November 1993 - Sector NGBX | ||||||
| L703 | 51359 | 51401 | Noted circa 12/19936 | ||||||
| L703 | 51359 | 51401 | Noted 19/02/1994 - BLS Radlett Roundabout Railtour L703+L722 | ||||||
| L703 | 51359 | 51401 | Listed at BY - Jul-94 | ||||||
| 51359 | 51401 | Noted 26/07/95 - on 11:12 Clapham Junction - Willesden Junction High Level7 | |||||||
| 117703 | 51359 | 51401 | Formed 4w/e 02/03/96 | ||||||
| 117703 | 51359 | 51401 | Listed at BY - 02/12/96 | ||||||
| 117703 | 51359 | 51401 | Listed at BY - 01/01/98 |
Formation Sources
1: Gerald Brown
2: Leonard Rogers
3: Jeremy Goodyear
4: Peter Wallwork
5: Shayne Lewis
6: Eddie Knorn
7: Martin Baumann
Images:
7th October 1985
Set number: L421
Class 117 DMU set L421 (presumably 51401 + 59511 + 51359) is seen leaving Melksham on what was recorded as the 16:40 Gloucester - Swindon - Warminster service on 7 October 1985. Michael Mensing.
1st April 1989
Set number: L421
Class 117 set L421 (presumably 51401 + 59511 + 51359) at Twyford on 1 April 1989. Taken by John Vaughan. Stuart Mackay Collection.
16th April 1989
Set number: L421
A six-car Class 117 DMU formation formed of L421 (51401 and presumably 59511 + 51359) and L401 (presumably 51333 + 59485 + 51375) in Southall station on 16 April 1989. Andrew Malloy.
16th April 1989
Set number: L421
51401 alongside an HST set in Southall station on 16 April 1989. Andrew Malloy.
2nd September 1989
Set number: L421
Class 117 L421 (51401 + 59511 + 51359) at West Ealing working a Reading to Paddington service on 2-9-89. Ian Cuthbertson Collection.
28th September 1989
Set number: L421
51401 leads Class 117 set L421 (presumably with 59511 + 51359) in what looks like a shunting move at Newbury on September 28, 1989. John Carter.
2nd November 1990
Set number: L421
Class 117 set L421 with DMS 51401 at the front (presumably with 59511 + 51359) is seen departing West Drayton with a service towards Paddington on 02.11.1990. When the centre car was removed it gained the set number L703. Andy Cole.
circa 1991
Set number: L421
Class 117 set L421 (presumably 51401 + 59511 + 51359) at Southall circa 1991. Stuart Mackay Collection.
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.
24th September 1991
Set number: L421
Class 117 DMU set L421 (51401 + 59511 + 51359) in Reading station on 24 September 1991. Keith Miller.
28th May 1993
Set number: L703
Class 117 set L703 (presumably 51401 + 51359) seen in Gospel Oak station on the 28th May 1993. Mike Cooper.
20th November 1993
Set number: L703
Class 117 Pressed Steel 2-car L703 (presumably 51401 + 51359) at Gospel Oak for Barking, 20-11-93 or thereabouts. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.
20th November 1993
Set number: L703
Class 117 Pressed Steel 2-car DMU set L703 51401 + 51359 (DMS + DMBS) arrived at Barking from Gospel Oak on 20-11-93 or thereabouts. On Tour With The Class 13 Army.
24th November 1994
Set number: L703
Berthed at Willesden Junction Low Level is 117703 (L703 - 51401 + 51359) on 24th November 1994. A spare set was often berthed here to cover both the West London and Gospel oak - Barking lines. Ian Buck.
30th November 1994
Set number: L703
117703 (L703 - 51401 + 51359) on nears Gospel Oak on the 30th November 1994. Ian Buck.
1995
Set number: L703
Class 117 set L703 (presumably 51401 + 51359) seen at West Brompton in 1995. Michael Mensing.
7th April 1995
Set number: L703
L703 (presumably 51401 + 51359) seen at Wootton Broadmead Crossing (a popular spot with photographers because of the long, straight approach) with an up Bletchley-bound service on 07 04 1995. Paul Fleet.
5th October 1995
Set number: L703
Class 117 set L703 with DMS 51401 at the front (presumably with 51359) is seen at Clapham Junction with a working to Willesden Junction on 05.10.1995. Andy Cole.
circa January 1996
Set number: L703
Class 117 Pressed Steel 2-car L703 (presumably 51401 + 51359) stands at Clapham Junction Jan/Feb 1996. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.
The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:
Date: 15th October 1979
Set number: L421
Class 117 DMU set L421 (presumably 51359 + 59511 + 51401) departing Paddington with a Slough service on 15 October 1979. Brian Daniels.
Date: 21st May 1983
Set number: L421
Class 117 set L421 with DMBS W51359 (nearest) tailing TC W59511 & DMS W51401 as they depart Paddington, Saturday 21st May 1983 Iain Reid.
Date: 7th October 1985
Set number: L421
Class 117 DMU set L421 (51359 and presumably 59511 + 51401) is seen leaving Melksham on what was recorded as the 16:40 Gloucester - Swindon - Warminster service on 7 October 1985. Michael Mensing.
Date: 1986
Set number: L421
Class 117 set L421 (presumably 51359 + 59511 + 51401) arrives into Marlow station in 1986. John Law.
Date: 1986
Set number: L421
The Marlow branch DMU (presumably 51359 + 59511 + 51401) reverses at Bourne End in 1986. John Law.
Date: 16th September 1986
Set number: L421
Class 117 set L421 (presumably 51359 + 59511 + 51401) shelters in the remains of an old steam shed at Worcester before its next duty on the Cotswold line on 16/9/1986. Stephen Burdett.
Date: 10th February 1987
54289 leads 51401 + 59511 + 51359 into Paddington on the 10th February 1987. Malcolm Clements.
Date: 30th October 1987
Set number: L124
55024 is standing in for a Class 117 power car, working with 59511 and 51401 when seen departing from Slough on the 30th October 1987. Malcolm Clements.
Date: 16th April 1989
Set number: L401
A six-car Class 117 DMU formation formed of L401 ((presumably 51375 + 59485 + 51333) and L401 (presumably 51359 + 59511 + 51401) heads away from Southall station on 16 April 1989 as 47 334 approaches light engine. Andrew Malloy.
Date: 3rd June 1989
Set number: L421
Class 117 set L421 (presumably 51359 + 59511 + 51401) at Didcot on 3 June 1989. Nigel Menzies.
Date: circa summer 1989
Set number: L421
Class 117 DMU set L421 (presumably 51359 + 59511 + 51401) in Bicester Town station circa summer 1989. Brian Ward.
Date: 19th April 1990
Set number: L421
WR cl.117 set L421 is seen stabled in the West London Line platforms, on the north side of Clapham Junction, on 19/4/90. 51359 is nearest the camera with 59511 and 51401 behind. Leonard Rogers.
Date: 20th November 1993
Set number: L703
Class 117 Pressed Steel 2-car L703 (51359 presumably with 51401) at Gospel Oak for Barking on 20-11-93 or thereabouts. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.
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
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: 21st May 1994
Set number: L129
An immaculate looking Class 121 single-unit 55029, was coupled to a two-car Class 117 (51401 + 51359) awaiting departure from Bletchley with the 14.50 service to Bedford on May 21st 1994. Martyn Hilbert.
Date: 30th November 1994
Set number: L703
Class 117 set L703 (117703, presumably 51359 + 51401) rolls to a halt at South Tottenham on 30th November 1994. Ian Buck.
Date: 23rd December 1994
Set number: L703
At Crouch Hill on a foggy day is L703 (117703, presumably 51359 + 51401) with 51359 leading on 23rd December 1994. Ian Buck.
Date: 5th October 1995
Set number: L703
Class 117 DMBS 51359, set number L703 presumably with 51401, is seen arriving at Clapham Junction with a working from Willesden Junction on 05.10.1995. Andy Cole.
Date: circa January 1996
Set number: L703
Class 117 Pressed Steel 2-car L703 (51359 presumably with 51401) stands at Clapham Junction with a Willesden Junction service, Jan/Feb 1996. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.