51880 Class 115 Driving Motor Brake Second

Home Railway	West Somerset Railway	Location History	West Somerset RailwayAug 95-Present
Current Location	West Somerset Railway
Current Status	Operational
Current Livery	BR Green (Half Yellow End)
TRA Designation	4
Partner Vehicle(s)	59678 & 51859
Owner	West Somerset Railway
Website	www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
Record Last Updated	1 October 2020
Preservation Modifications None
Preservation Information 51880 was preserved by the West Somerset Railway in 1995 for use on off peak services. The railway had previously run an interesting variety of different DMU sets but wished to standardise on maintenance, so aquired five Class 115 powercars along with several trailer cars as a direct replacement for the earlier sets. 51880 soon became part of a core 3-car set along with 59678 & 51859. It is thought that 51887 was also used when maintenance of 51880 or 51859 was required. 51880 was repainted into a non authentic carmine & cream colour scheme, and performed for many years operating WSR services. In 2007, with the exterior of the 3-car set having become worn in appearance, 51859 was repainted into the more appropriate BR Green 2008-2013 saw 51880 operate all DMU services in 3-car formation with59678 & 51859, and could on occation be strengthened to 4-cars with the addition of 59493. During Winter 2013/2014, 51880 received some remidial work, with the cab interior restored, bodywork completed and an overhauled engine fitted. The set then ran again until 2019 when it was withdrawn for repairs to be made to partner 51859. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the 3-car set never returned to full traffic and fell out of service requiring more repairs, seeing no use in 2021. 51880 was however given some treatment and was returned to service in August 2022.
Future Plans To maintain in service.

	51880/59678/51859 at Norton Fitzwarren working event shuttles to Bishops Lydeard, 6/8/22. Ian Dobson

	W51880 stabled at Williton during the diesel gala, 22/6/19. Chris Moxon

	W51880 in service at Minehead, 11/6/17. Carl Watson

	W51880 arrives into Williton with the 18:00 Bishops Lydeard-Minehead, 3/9/16. Chris Moxon

	51880 undergoes maintenance at Minehead, 7/6/13. Nigel Gould

	51880 in service at the WSR, 1/6/12. Sicco Dierdrop

	51880, 59678 & 51859 in service at Minehead 10/6/11. Wibble45

	51880 entering the main platform at Minehead, 4/9/10. Chris Moxon

	51880, 59678 & 51859 alongside Class 52 D1010 a Bishops Lydeard, 13/6/10. David Beardmore

	51880, 59678 & 51859 in service on the WSR, 24/8/08. Alan Padley

	A freshly repainted 51880 at Minehead, 9/5/07. Rabbi WP Thinrod

	51880 stabled at Minehead, 25/4/03. Robert Frise

	51880 in service, 2/4/02.

	51880 at Williton, 17/8/00. David McGuire

	51880, operating as a 3-car set at Williton, 2000. John Law

	51880 in operation on the WSR, 1/10/99. Stuart Mackay

	51880, 59678 & 51859, freshly repainted, stabled at Minehead, 25/8/96. Michael Wadman

Interior

	A saloon view of 51880 at Bishops Lydeard, 27/3/18. Dave Henwood

	51880's front passenger saloon, 3/9/16. Chris Moxon

	51880's middle passenger saloon, 3/9/16. Chris Moxon

	51880's guards van, 3/9/16. Chris Moxon