140001 - 55500 & 55501 Class 140 Driving Motor Second Lavatory & Driving Motor Second

Home Railway

Keith & Dufftown Railway

Location History

Keith & Dufftown Railway Feb 95-Present

Current Location

Keith & Dufftown Railway

Current Status

Under Restoration

Current Livery

BR Blue & Grey

TRA Designation

E

Owner

Banffshire Rolling Stock Limited

Website

None

Record Last Updated

25 October 2025

Preservation Modifications
None

Preservation Information
140001 was the only member of its class, experimental in nature, and never saw regular passenger service. After a short life of publicity exercises and trials, the set was latterly used as the Leeds Neville Hill driver trainer before withdrawal in October 1990. Stored for some time before preservation, the set was preserved at the Keith & Dufftown Railway, arriving in 1995.

A lack of resources prevented any restoration work on 140001, which never entered preservation service, in the early 2000's being moved to the extremety of the line, the Dufftown headshunt, and made accessible on a static basis. The track leading to the vehicles was later disconnected. Other than occasional cleaning, the set continued its static role but was steadily deteriorating in condition.

In March 2011, the area 140001 was stored in was required for redevelopment, and the set was recconnected to the rest of the world and moved the short distance into the main platform at Dufftown. This triggered renewed interest in it and the set was immediately heavily cleaned externally to improve its appearance in its new location.

In 2012, a group of Keith & Dufftown Railway volunteers undertook some conservation/investigation work on 140001. Using a compressor the doors were sucessfully tested and the lighting on the set was also found to be operational. The engines were also started, 55500's being in good condition however 55501's had issues, so some spare parts were obtained to make a future revival practical. However the expertese to undertake the repair itself was not present at the time so mechanical revival of the set was stopped at that point.

In May 2014, the cab end of 55501 was prepped and resprayed yellow, with the bodysides repainted during August 2015, in an effort to protect the exterior and further improve 140001's appearance, which had become poor up to that point.

Despite the good progress, the restoration work sadly stalled shortly afterwards and 140001 was returned to storage in the sidings at Dufftown and proceeded to slowly deteriorate again.

By 2025, work to restore the failed engine was progressing again, but steadily. The engine on the other vehicle (still fitted) remained in an operational state.

Future Plans
The railway has long term aims to return 140001 to operational condition, but this is a long way off with most volunteer resources required elsewhere for the forseeable future.

140001, car 55500 nearest, in the sidings at Dufftown. The engine and lights were running on this occasion! 1/8/25. Chris Moxon

Car 55500 of 140001, in the sidings at Dufftown. The engine and lights were running on this occasion! 1/8/25. Chris Moxon

140001, car 55501 nearest, in the sidings at Dufftown. The engine from this vehicle was being rebuilt in the adjacant yard, 1/8/25. Chris Moxon

Car 55501 of 140001, in the sidings at Dufftown. The engine from this vehicle was being rebuilt in the adjacant yard, 1/8/25. Chris Moxon

140001 stored at Dufftown, 12/9/21. Andrew Freeman

140001 stored at Dufftown, 8/10/18. Deborah Stokes

55501 during its respray, 8/8/15. Ben Angus

140001 stabled between work parties,6/6/15. Neil Ferguson Lee

55501 masked up having been resprayed round the cab front, 31/5/14. Ben Angus

55501 & 55500 at Dufftown, 9/4/12. Anon Mouse

55500 & 55501 stored at Dufftown, 19/8/11. Ian McLoughlin

55500 & 55501 stored at Dufftown, 3/6/11. John Carter

55501 & 55500 stored at Dufftown, 3/6/11. John Carter

55500/55501 stored at Dufftown, 29/5/09. Brian Battersby

140001 (55500/55501) stored at Dufftown, 17/5/08. David Beardmore

140001 (55501/55500) stored at Dufftown, 17/5/08. David Beardmore

55501 stored on the Keith & Dufftown Railway, 19/2/99. On tour with th class 13 army

140001's interior. This is the driving cab of 55500, 1/8/25. Chris Moxon

140001's interior. This is the strange open "secondman's" area in 55500, 1/8/25. Chris Moxon

140001's interior. Looking backwards into the passenger saloon of 55500, 1/8/25. Chris Moxon

140001's interior. Mid way in the passenger saloon of 55500 looking forwards, 1/8/25. Chris Moxon

140001's interior. Looking forwards into the passenger saloon of 55500, 1/8/25. Chris Moxon

140001's interior. This is the driving cab of 55501, 1/8/25. Chris Moxon

140001's interior. This is the strange open "secondman's" area in 55501, 1/8/25. Chris Moxon

140001's interior. Mid way in the passenger saloon of 55501 looking forwards, 1/8/25. Chris Moxon

140001's interior. Looking forwards into the passenger saloon of 55501, 1/8/25. Chris Moxon

The partly stripped interior saloon inside 140001, 12/9/21. Andrew Freeman

A passenger vestibule inside 140001, 12/9/21. Andrew Freeman