Restored Class 105 Cravens set for historic ELR return
THE East Lancashire Railway’s Diesel Multiple Unit Weekend on November 4-5 will feature the long-anticipated debut runs for the railway’s Class 105 Cravens DMU, after a painstaking restoration that has spanned 20 years.
Back in 1996, following disposal by the West Somerset Railway, Class 105 vehicles Sc51485 and E56121 arrived at the ELR.
The DMU had been in use on the WSR for a number of years, but was in poor condition and in need of asbestos removal. Since its delivery to Bury, the two-car unit has been completely restored to original condition in one of the most comprehensive overhauls carried out on a DMU in the UK.
Cravens DMUs were once a common sight around Lancashire, and the ‘105s’ were regularly in use on the Bury to Rawtenstall line, prior to its closure by BR in June 1972. The final passenger train on the line used a ‘105’, and the addition of one of these DMUs to the ELR fleet is a particular highlight.
The DMU Weekend, which is the most ambitious such event the ELR has organised, will also feature resident Class 104 DMU, M50455 and M50517, which has undergone an extensive bodywork restoration and repaint into BR blue. Visiting from the Llangollen Railway will be Class 109 Wickham DMU, E50416 and E56171, courtesy of Llangollen Railcars.
The ELR’s three-car Class 110 DMU is also returning to action following restoration work and a repaint into BR green. The unit returned to the ELR in 2016, following a number of years on the Wensleydale Railway.
Completing the line-up of operational units at the event will be the ELR’s Class 117, consisting of W51339 and W51382, and Class 122 vehicle W55001.
A DMU ‘drag’ re-creation is also planned, using the recently repainted Class 40 Preservation Society’s 40135. Also during the weekend, the ELR will host The Railcar Association’s annual convention.
The Class 504 Preservation Society will be displaying its Class 504 EMU (504451) at Platform 4 at Bury Bolton Street.
Work on the restoration of trailer car M77172 is progressing well, and it is hoped that the vehicle will be painted in BR blue in time for the event. Restoration of the trailer is not complete, but is reaching an advanced stage and the vehicle will be displayed alongside power car M65451, which is in a largely unrestored condition – offering an interesting comparison between the two vehicles.
The ‘504’ has enjoyed a positive change in fortunes over the past two years, following a threat of scrapping from the ELR’s thenGeneral Manager Andy Morris in 2015. The ‘504’ is historically significant to Bury Bolton Street, which was the terminus for electric services from Manchester Victoria until March 1980.
The preservation society has recently published a 172-page A4 book, by Simon Thomas and Andy Coward, about the history of the Bury to Manchester line and the Class 504s. Further information about the new book can be found at www.buryrossendalerails.com. ■ More information about the ELR DMU weekend can be found at www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk.