50447 Class 104 Driving Motor Brake Second

Home Railway

North Norfolk Railway

Location History

Llangollen Railway Apr 93-Apr 26

Current Location

North Norfolk Railway

North Norfolk Railway Apr 26-Present

Current Status

Stored

Current Livery

BR Green/BR Blue (Plain End)

TRA Designation

5

Partner Vehicle(s)

None

Owner

Kevin Dowd

Website

www.brcw.co.uk

Record Last Updated

11 May 2026

Preservation Modifications
Minor seating/table modifications had been made to the interior to the front saloon for use as a mess room and racking etc. fitted in the guards van for use as a storage facility for many years.

Preservation Information
50447 was preserved in March 1993 in a bulk buy of 12 Class 104 vehicles by private individuals Kevin Dowd and Robert Simpson. The fleet was eventually distributed over three heritage railways and 50447 was moved from Derby to the Llangollen Railway on a long term loan arrangement with Llangollen Railcars.

50447 was one of three Class 104 vehicles moved to Llangollenand fellow DMBS 50454 was in better condition so 50447 was turned into a mess room for the group, who did not have any undercover facilities at the time. 50454 was restored to run with the DMCL which was on the line, 50528.

Many years passed with 50447 fulfilling its static role, and it was repainted into BR Green on the public side during the late 1990's to make it more presentable to passing trains.

In 1995 the engines were started up to ensure they worked, but no serious work was undertaken.

In 2011, the vehicle (recently made redundant as a mess room following the aquisition of a replacement coach with better facilities) was assessed for full restoration to operating condition, which had been a long term aim of the group. March saw one of the engines started up for the first time since 1995.

2012 saw the interior slowly cleaned out (in between other jobs) and in April some repairs had been made to the No1 engine which started to run much more sweetly. By the summer most of the missing parts required for the restoration had been obtained. In October the vehicle was moved indoors for the winter for restoration to continue. This work focussed on making the vehicle's roof watertight and involved replacing the life-expired plates which covered the holes in the roof for the original vents.

2013 saw more work on an occational basis. The roof plating was cmpleted and finished off with coat of primer. Some work was completed on the No2 engine so by the end of the year both were operating smoothly.

In 2014 the restoration was suspended however some small components such as air pipes were manufactured.

During the late 2010's the priorities for Llangollen Railcars were forced into review, with the departure of some privately owned vehicles to pastures new requiring new sets to be brought in which required work to bring them up to operational standards. In addition to these demands, existing members of the operational fleet were requiring more serious attention if they were to continue in service. Also, the long term restoration of the group's unique Class 100 set was also set to become a group priority in the medium term. These factors combined led to a descision being made to not continue with 50447's restoration, which would have been a duplicate vehicle to operational 50454 in any case. It was felt the group would be better dedicating resources to more unique vehicles. 50447 continued to serve a useful role as a storage vehicle however, in particular creating space for Class 105 56456's major rebuild to continue at Llangollen.

50447 continued as a storage facility at Pentrefelin depot until early 2026 when the loan of the Class 104 collection was terminated and 50447 returned to its original owners. It was quickly moved to the North Norfolk Railway primarily to provide parts for the restoration of sister DMBS 50479. Shortly before it left, all remaining seating was removed along with a small selection of parts to benefit the recently arrived Class 110 set and the Class 104's based at the East Lancashire Railway.

50447 is currently being stripped of useful components for 50479.

Future Plans
50447 will not be restored to operational condition, and will provide parts for the restoration and long term operation of 50479 & 56182.

M53447 posed in the evening sunlight at Weybourne, during an assessment and before stripping of remaining parts commenced in earnest, 30/4/26. Chris Moxon

M53447 posed in the evening sunlight at Weybourne, during an assessment and before stripping of remaining parts commenced in earnest, 30/4/26. Chris Moxon

M53447 posed in the evening sunlight at Weybourne, during an assessment and before stripping of remaining parts commenced in earnest, 30/4/26. Chris Moxon

M53447 posed in the evening sunlight at Weybourne, during an assessment and before stripping of remaining parts commenced in earnest, 30/4/26. Chris Moxon

M53447 posed in the evening sunlight at Weybourne, during an assessment and before stripping of remaining parts commenced in earnest, 30/4/26. Chris Moxon

M53447 posed in the evening sunlight at Weybourne, during an assessment and before stripping of remaining parts commenced in earnest, 30/4/26. Chris Moxon

M53447 being tripped from Sheringham to Weybourne, its first and only journey along the North Norfolk Railway, 23/4/26. Chris Moxon

M53447 being tripped from Sheringham to Weybourne, its first and only journey along the North Norfolk Railway, 23/4/26. Chris Moxon

M50447 on the loading point at Sheringham shortly after arrival from Llangollen, 20/4/26. Chris Moxon

M50447 being unloaded at Sheringham, 20/4/26. Chris Moxon

M50447 having arrived at Sheringham by road from Llangollen, 20/4/26. Chris Moxon

M50447 stopped off at Goods Junction, making its last move on the Llangollen Railway, being pushed by M50528/M50454 from Pentrefelin depot to the loading point at Llangollen locomotive depot, 15/4/26. Benn Pollard

M50447 stopped off at Goods Junction, making its last move on the Llangollen Railway, being pushed by M50528/M50454 from Pentrefelin depot to the loading point at Llangollen locomotive depot, 15/4/26. Benn Pollard

M50447 making its last move on the Llangollen Railway, being pushed by M50528/M50454 out from Pentrefelin depot to the loading point at Llangollen locomotive depot, 15/4/26. Benn Pollard

An increadibly mossy M53447 after being extracted from storage behind the shed at Pentrefelin, seen in the yard ready to be tripped for loading, 15/4/26. Kevin Dowd

Severe bodyside corrosion is evident on M53447 after being extracted from storage behind the shed at Pentrefelin, seen in the yard ready to be tripped for loading, 15/4/26. Kevin Dowd

M50447 after being extracted from storage behind the shed at Pentrefelin, seen in the yard ready to be tripped for loading, 15/4/26. Kevin Dowd

M50447 after being extracted from storage behind the shed at Pentrefelin, seen in the yard ready to be tripped for loading. Class 108 M54504 stands alongside, 15/4/26. Kevin Dowd

M50447 after being extracted from storage behind the shed at Pentrefelin, seen in the yard ready to be tripped for loading, 15/4/26. Kevin Dowd

The poorer side of M53447, stored at Pentrefelin, 5/10/25. Chris Moxon

M50447 stored down the side of the shed at Pentrefelin, 13/7/21. Aaron Browning

M53447, showing its blue side at Pentrefelin depot, 21/6/15. Chris Moxon

M50447 having surrendered its drivers window for M50454, 21/6/14. Chris Moxon

The roof, freshly painted after stripping and waterproofing which involved the resealing of the roof vent patches, 14/10/13. Llangollen Railcar Group

M53447 back inside the workshops for some roof restoration, 17/6/13. Llangollen Railcar Group

M50447 on the move again during a shunt at Pentrefelin. All components for the vehicle's restoration have now been obtained, 24/12/12. Llangollen Railcar Group

All of the replacement ventilator cover panels have now been fitted and painted and the roof is being investigated for leaks. Quite a lot of the guttering has come away from the body which has led to water ingress. Where the roof has been inspected it is being scabbled down to bare metal and primed with an acid etch primer which will serve as a key for future paint jobs and will in the meantime serve to protect the roof against further damage. The severe corrosion apparent on the cab end can clearly been seen in this photograph, 29/10/12. Llangollen Railcar Group

With M50447 being in the workshops for its roof job there's been a rare chance this week to get a photo of it, as normally it's hidden behind other vehicles, 22/10/12. Llangollen Railcar Group

M50447 now in the workshop so that work to the roof to make it watertight can be completed. The problem was the ventilator blanking plates which were fitted in BR days. These were too thick and so did not expand and contract at the same rate as the roof. In addition they were held on only by six rivets each and had not been sealed between the roof and the plate, the omission being "corrected" by trying to seal round the outside gap afterwards. This has meant that the coach has, for years, had a number of minor leaks. To cure this new panels of the correct thickness have ben made andinstalled using about 20 self-tappers per plate and using an adhesive/sealer between the plates and the roof to prevent water getting in. Over the weekend 11 out of the 19 were fitted, 15/10/12. Llangollen Railcar Group

M50447 under restoration at Prentrefelin, 24/6/12. Chris Moxon

M50447 under restoration at Prentrefelin, 24/6/12. Chris Moxon

M50447 under restoration at Prentrefelin, 24/6/12. Chris Moxon

M50447 in its usual spot at Pentrefelin, 30/4/12. Llangollen Railcar Group

At Pentrefelin there was a big shunt round in the yard and some vehicles which were buried way behind our stores and messing vehicles were removed. this resulted in the unusual sight of an eight-car DMU towing two Mark 1 coaches as we had to clear the yard out to make some room. During one of the moves long-derelict M50447 was pulled out so that we could get a better view of the secondman's side. Despite the raggy appearance it is not in bad order considering the number of years it has been in open store, 1/7/11. Llangollen Railcar Group

M50447 being started up for the first time since 1995 following several weeks of work by Llangollen Railcars volunteers. The vehicle has been used as a stores and mess coach since 1994 and last ran as a passenger vehicle around 1989. The start up in 1995 was only brief and prior to that the engines last ran in 1990, 20/3/11. Llangollen Railcar Group

M50447 stored at Glyndyfrdwy, 29/2/04. Brian Battersby

M50447 at Glyndyfrdwy, now repainted into green to make the vehicle more presentable to passing trains. Llangollen Railcar Group

M50447, fresly repainted on the drivers side at Glyndyfrdwy, 1/5/99. On tour with the class 13 army

M53447 at Glyndyfrdwy being used as a stores vehicle by the railcar group, 28/6/98. Stuart Mackay

M53447 in the early days at Glyndyfrdwy, 24/9/94. Robert Chilton

The derelict interior of M50447 after initial stripping for spares had been completed at Pentrefelin, this view showing the driving position, 15/4/26. Kevin Dowd

The derelict interior of M50447 after initial stripping for spares had been completed at Pentrefelin, this view showing the secondmans side of the cab, 15/4/26. Kevin Dowd

The derelict interior of M50447 after initial stripping for spares had been completed at Pentrefelin, this view showing the cab, 15/4/26. Kevin Dowd

The derelict interior of M50447 after initial stripping for spares had been completed at Pentrefelin, this view showing the front saloon, 15/4/26. Kevin Dowd

The derelict interior of M50447 after initial stripping for spares had been completed at Pentrefelin, this view showing the front saloon, 15/4/26. Kevin Dowd

The derelict interior of M50447 after initial stripping for spares had been completed at Pentrefelin, this view showing the middle saloon, 15/4/26. Kevin Dowd

The derelict interior of M50447 after initial stripping for spares had been completed at Pentrefelin, this view showing the middle saloon, 15/4/26. Kevin Dowd

The derelict interior of M50447 after initial stripping for spares had been completed at Pentrefelin, this view showing the front passenger vestibule with an alien Eastern Region class 104 door fitted, 15/4/26. Kevin Dowd

The derelict interior of M50447 after initial stripping for spares had been completed at Pentrefelin, this view showing the guards compartment, 15/4/26. Kevin Dowd

The derelict interior of M50447 after initial stripping for spares had been completed at Pentrefelin, this view showing the rear of the guards compartment, 15/4/26. Kevin Dowd

The derelict interior of M50447 after initial stripping for spares had been completed at Pentrefelin, this view showing the guards position, 15/4/26. Kevin Dowd

The derelict interior of M50447 after initial stripping for spares had been completed at Pentrefelin, this view showing the corner of the guards compartment, 15/4/26. Kevin Dowd

The derelict interior of M50447 after initial stripping for spares had been completed at Pentrefelin, this view showing the guards compartment, 15/4/26. Kevin Dowd

M50447's front saloon, being used to full potential as a seat store at Pentrefelin, 5/10/25. Chris Moxon

M50447's middle saloon, being used to as a seat store and support vehicle for M56456's restoration at Pentrefelin, 5/10/25. Chris Moxon

M50447's guards van, being used to as a seat store and support vehicle for M56456's restoration at Pentrefelin, 5/10/25. Chris Moxon

M50447's middle saloon, 27/7/12. Llangollen Railcar Group

M50447's middle saloon, 24/6/12. Chris Moxon

M50447's guards van, 24/6/12. Chris Moxon

Sandwiches at the ready inside M50447 during its time as a mess coach. Llangollen Railcar Group