Echo what others have said - you simply cannot save them all. I'm a rail enthusiast, but I know this over and over again from my experience in old cars and bikes. Sometimes it is genuinely better that one meets the torch of doom to save many others. Otherwise you end up with heaps of rusting scrap that serves no-one. Fascinating (as an amateur engineer!) to see how it comes apart. Remember them well from the Fife Loop in the nineties!
A great sucess for the whole Heritage rail community salvaging all those parts and revitalising several worthy projects, I enjoyed riding on the Wensleydale Railway (Pacer !) in summer 2023....
At first I was against scrapping, but you’ve done the right thing. Peel back the surface and you begin to see the rot and decay, not to mention the major surgery needed to put it right. Her spares and fittings will be invaluable to keeping other cars running.
It’s always a tricky subject scrapping something but as long as it is done the right way ie involving the whole preservation community to ensure nothing goes to waste then it’s not such a bad thing!
You made the right decision you cannot restore everything. Here in Australia we have a number of groups trying to restore locos carriages wagons. But suffer the same problems as you do lack of parts costly to repair or get and lack of helpers to do the work required.
Many thanks for the comment, I’m glad you agree with our decision it certainly is a problem that many will face in the future so unfortunately some rolling stock will have to go to keep others going!
To begin with, I still wasn't fully on board with the scrapping. However, when you see just how enormous of a help it has been, to so many, and how much money it has saved, it makes you realise that you made the right move. Something else I noticed, was how in each shot, you uncovered even more rust. It would've been a big project regardless. Well done! Also, that phone is right up my alley of quirky railwayana, and I'd quite like it...
Many thanks for the comment, the scrapping has certainly been very helpful to us and many like you say. Uncovering the rust is what a lot of units will have in preservation they will all need the strip down and overhaul our units are getting before they get too bad. You have also been entered into the phone draw!
Well done guys, a lot of useful stuff there. You've done the right thing to keep your other vehicles going, if you'd have been at it years back you'd have only been doing the same to a vehicle at somewhere like Margam or MC. Keep up the good work.
Many thanks for the comment and we are glad you agree albeit a shame 400 has yielded lots of useful spares which will get put to use right away in some cases!
Wonderful the work you 😊 Fancy saving a 159 when their time comes? Their end is on the horizon sadly. I drove them for 20 years starting in 1999 when they were still in the old NSE (but SWT branded), configuration. I believe that there are still a few left unrefurbished with the original Std seat padding.
Many tanks for the kind words. Unfortunately we have our hands full with a 3 car unit also something like a 159 will be more complicated to look after!
It is a shame that one has to go! But as they say in the preservation field "You can't save them all!" Atleast this way one coach helps save a 3 Car Unit! So it's fair game to me in the long run
Hello I saw you at ELR and it’s nice how you are giving something for free from the DMU and it’s nice how the other DMU looking i gave them card which you gave me with your social media on them my friends love your channel keep up the good work
Many thanks for the comment, it was nice to see you at the ELR, always a lovely event there! I’m glad your friends like the channel and enjoy the content. The giveaway is our way of trying to give back to our lovely subscribers!
I really believe that it's really sad to see a Class 117 go for scrapping but I really believe that, that 117 really had much more journeys in it especially in Preservation. Nice Video & Informative but I was quite sad seeing the 117 Ending as I really like the Class!
That phone is a brilliant bit of history! Would love that, got a couple bits of second generation EMU parts currently but nothing first generation EMU/DMU! Liked and subscribed :)
Brilliant work guys although I imagine it must have been a little disappointing at times. In the medium and long term you havesecured L432's future as well as helped out other preservationists
You guys moved a mountain in those 6 days. The unit found a good use even without saving it as a whole. One car helps out a lot of projects, including our squeak.
RIP 51400. Honestly a bit dissappointed it had to go since it was very saveable and seemed to be in better condiiton than a lot of 117 vehicles BUT since it is keeping L432 and other units going now and in the future, at least it has fulfilled a role and eveyr part possible has been picked off it and has not just been scrapped because it is too far gone and nothing can be done with it etc. Better to get good spares to help other better sets survive.
We felt the same and if we could have kept it we would but it wouldn’t really serve a purpose as a spare powercar as a bubble car would be better for that and all of the spare parts will be very handy for our set and like you said have helped other units. But of a tough decision in some ways!
Scraping is unfortunate part of DMU preservation. I don't agree with losing a piece of history, but I understand it and I can only hope that the parts are put to good use.
Indeed it’s not something that feels right to us either but it’s most certainly a necessary evil as all the parts will be very useful in getting our 3 car set back up and running again!
Do you still have it with you?. If you do, any chance of a good head-on shot of the notice, and dimensions please?. I'm looking at getting them reproduced.
The windows would have to be plated up and the cab have a new roof dome put on plus corrosion repairs carried out. That would also have to be kept on top of so maybe not a good idea?
Fascinating chapter this one guys. Always a shame to see a piece of kit bite the dust, but as you say, spares to keep the sizeable fleet of working units going are only going to become scarcer as the years roll by. On balance, your decision seems the most logical you could have made. Enquiry: Will the strip down be sufficiently comprehensive to rescue any sections of those tricksy extrusions you guys always seem to need on restorations? I did notice that complex curves of the roof front warranted separate removal!! Enquiry 2: Mention was made of swapping out wheelsets. Cracked wheel centre castings aside, are there techniques to address a problem which seems eerily familiar to those who've followed the careers of Ffestiniog locos from the Spooner era to the present day?
Many thanks for the very indepth comment. To answer your questions the complex curves on the front are hard to get made and of a specialist profile hence why they were saved just incase they were ever needed! The wheelsets including bogies from this unit will go under our 51412 to replace the worn out scrap tyres that are under it and also solve the lack of final drive issue so the unit will be back to full health!
It would only be the wrong thing to do if it was in better condition than an existing power car. However I'm sure you'd be doing things differently if that was the case.
Most certainly we would we felt it the best decision given 51412 has had so much time and money put into getting it right a simple bogie change is lots easier!
I thought there would be plenty of footage smashing stuff up with sledgehammers and cutting torches. Heaving stuff through the windows etc. It was all a bit disappointing just undoing a few bolts and screws. Is there gonna be some footage of smashing it wth a claw crane or cutting the frames. Thats more interesting.
some times rail cars are gust too far gone and cost of repairing is some times too grate it provides good spare parts which you gust cant get hold of and are very expensive i the dmu livd its life its not all lost its giveing up very valubull spares wich is very hard to souce for thies unites
This one wasn't too far gone, but the other DMS (51412) they have is in much better nick, there are worse 117 vehicles out there, but the scrapping of this is derfinitely not a waste
“Do you think we made the right decision in scrapping 51400? Let us know below.”
Echo what others have said - you simply cannot save them all. I'm a rail enthusiast, but I know this over and over again from my experience in old cars and bikes. Sometimes it is genuinely better that one meets the torch of doom to save many others. Otherwise you end up with heaps of rusting scrap that serves no-one.
Fascinating (as an amateur engineer!) to see how it comes apart. Remember them well from the Fife Loop in the nineties!
@@creepingjesus5106Many thanks for the comment and I’m glad you agree with what we did like you say when one goes it saves many others generally.
Definitiely the correct decision
Just make sure the bogies follow you and not end up in the scrapyard !!!
@@RailcarRestorers yes absolutely
A great sucess for the whole Heritage rail community salvaging all those parts and revitalising several worthy projects, I enjoyed riding on the Wensleydale Railway (Pacer !) in summer 2023....
At first I was against scrapping, but you’ve done the right thing. Peel back the surface and you begin to see the rot and decay, not to mention the major surgery needed to put it right. Her spares and fittings will be invaluable to keeping other cars running.
It’s always a tricky subject scrapping something but as long as it is done the right way ie involving the whole preservation community to ensure nothing goes to waste then it’s not such a bad thing!
Well done chaps, thinking of the long term is a smart move, the sheer amount of work you do is amazing...
Many thanks for the kind words :)
Proper Job! Really appreciate the support also with the parts for our 108 at GCRN, well done all!
Thanks mate and no worries it’s always nice to help another group out we look forward to the 108s return in the future!
Good work guys
You made the right decision you cannot restore everything. Here in Australia we have a number of groups trying to restore locos carriages wagons. But suffer the same problems as you do lack of parts costly to repair or get and lack of helpers to do the work required.
Many thanks for the comment, I’m glad you agree with our decision it certainly is a problem that many will face in the future so unfortunately some rolling stock will have to go to keep others going!
Love these old units , brings back memories. Great content , very interesting !!!
Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed the video :)
To begin with, I still wasn't fully on board with the scrapping. However, when you see just how enormous of a help it has been, to so many, and how much money it has saved, it makes you realise that you made the right move. Something else I noticed, was how in each shot, you uncovered even more rust. It would've been a big project regardless. Well done! Also, that phone is right up my alley of quirky railwayana, and I'd quite like it...
Many thanks for the comment, the scrapping has certainly been very helpful to us and many like you say. Uncovering the rust is what a lot of units will have in preservation they will all need the strip down and overhaul our units are getting before they get too bad. You have also been entered into the phone draw!
Just found your channel (thanks to YT recommends). Great work and I've now subscribed to keep up to date with your work.
Many thanks for the comment, I’m glad you enjoyed our content and thanks for the Sub much appreciated :)
Sad to see it go but fantastic work guys
It's great to see that the humble bog unit still has its followers that are putting the work in to keep them running.
Indeed it seems they have lots more appreciation these days which is always good.
I think you've done the right thing guys, thanks for your efforts 👍🏻.
Thanks Roger, much appreciated :)
As fore the phone I’ve liked subscribed and I love the ☎️ and I think it’s fantastic that your not wasting ANYTHING at all
Many thanks for the like and sub! You have been entered in the phone draw.
Love the video definitely the smart decision for the future would love that phone great bit of history 👍
Many thanks for the comment we are glad you agree with our decision. You have been entered in the draw for the phone!
I think you have made the right choice, love the channel by the way.
Many thanks for the comment, we are glad you enjoy our videos :)
Well done guys, a lot of useful stuff there. You've done the right thing to keep your other vehicles going, if you'd have been at it years back you'd have only been doing the same to a vehicle at somewhere like Margam or MC. Keep up the good work.
Many thanks for the comment and we are glad you agree albeit a shame 400 has yielded lots of useful spares which will get put to use right away in some cases!
I’d be interested in getting the telephone if the draw is still open.
Also Liked subscribed and commented
One thing I've noticed with first gen DMUs is how lightly built they are. It is amazing so many exist in pres in any condition.
Sad to see a train get scrapped… but if it means others can keep running, that makes me feel a bit better.
Indeed it is but we will most certainly make sure that all the parts live on in our 3 car set!
Wonderful the work you 😊
Fancy saving a 159 when their time comes? Their end is on the horizon sadly. I drove them for 20 years starting in 1999 when they were still in the old NSE (but SWT branded), configuration. I believe that there are still a few left unrefurbished with the original Std seat padding.
Many tanks for the kind words. Unfortunately we have our hands full with a 3 car unit also something like a 159 will be more complicated to look after!
It is a shame that one has to go! But as they say in the preservation field "You can't save them all!" Atleast this way one coach helps save a 3 Car Unit! So it's fair game to me in the long run
Most certainly a logical way of looking at things thanks for the comment and we are glad you enjoyed the video :)
Plus as you said this 1 coach has helped save 10+ Units so it gave it's life so others could live!
That’s a great parts haul you’ve got there. A lot of parts for the future there
Most certainly mate! Thanks for the comment.
Of course I've liked, subscribed... And for some reason like the idea of owning a bare NRM telephone box 😂
Many thanks for the like and Subscribe! You have been entered in the draw :)
Hello I saw you at ELR and it’s nice how you are giving something for free from the DMU and it’s nice how the other DMU looking i gave them card which you gave me with your social media on them my friends love your channel keep up the good work
Many thanks for the comment, it was nice to see you at the ELR, always a lovely event there! I’m glad your friends like the channel and enjoy the content. The giveaway is our way of trying to give back to our lovely subscribers!
Like and subscribed great work guys and phone sounds cool!
Many thanks for the comment, you have been entered into the phone draw.
Hi love the re use 2 much got be new in the uk
You’ve done the right thing scrapping the DMU!
Many thanks for the comment, we are glad you agree :)
That phone is great history. Would certainly like it!
Thanks for the comment, you have been entered in the draw for the phone!
Congratulations! You are the winner of the NRN phone please Facebook message me to claim the prize :)
I really believe that it's really sad to see a Class 117 go for scrapping but I really believe that, that 117 really had much more journeys in it especially in Preservation.
Nice Video & Informative but I was quite sad seeing the 117 Ending as I really like the Class!
That phone is a brilliant bit of history! Would love that, got a couple bits of second generation EMU parts currently but nothing first generation EMU/DMU!
Liked and subscribed :)
Many thanks for the like and Sub and thanks for entering the giveaway :)
Brilliant work guys although I imagine it must have been a little disappointing at times.
In the medium and long term you havesecured L432's future as well as helped out other preservationists
It was certainly sad to see the unit go but like you say we have secured our unit’s future and certainly helped a few others out too!
You guys moved a mountain in those 6 days. The unit found a good use even without saving it as a whole. One car helps out a lot of projects, including our squeak.
We did indeed to say we were all knackered by the end would be an understatement lol. The unit has certainly helped many others aswell as our own!
It looked in better condition than the 3 car wreck that arrived at the SDR a couple of years ago. It’s still a wreck now!
RIP 51400. Honestly a bit dissappointed it had to go since it was very saveable and seemed to be in better condiiton than a lot of 117 vehicles BUT since it is keeping L432 and other units going now and in the future, at least it has fulfilled a role and eveyr part possible has been picked off it and has not just been scrapped because it is too far gone and nothing can be done with it etc. Better to get good spares to help other better sets survive.
We felt the same and if we could have kept it we would but it wouldn’t really serve a purpose as a spare powercar as a bubble car would be better for that and all of the spare parts will be very handy for our set and like you said have helped other units. But of a tough decision in some ways!
@@RailcarRestorers I totally understand, I would struggle to make such a descision with anything, let alone a train
Scraping is unfortunate part of DMU preservation. I don't agree with losing a piece of history, but I understand it and I can only hope that the parts are put to good use.
Indeed it’s not something that feels right to us either but it’s most certainly a necessary evil as all the parts will be very useful in getting our 3 car set back up and running again!
I'd love the panel above the saloon interior door with the Pay Train notice!
That panel has been saved for use on another dmu so it will live to see another day!
@@RailcarRestorers That's good news :).
Do you still have it with you?. If you do, any chance of a good head-on shot of the notice, and dimensions please?. I'm looking at getting them reproduced.
@@we1330We still have them in our units back at the MNR so I will take some dimensions for you there :)
@@RailcarRestorers Thank you very much!. I know that there were a few variations!.
I wonder if I travelled on that in the late 90s as saw a north london lines goblin line sticker. And do remember a 1st gen dmu on it at the time.
You may well have done it was an ex NSE unit.
Would the shell make a decent shed? It’s something I’m pondering
The windows would have to be plated up and the cab have a new roof dome put on plus corrosion repairs carried out. That would also have to be kept on top of so maybe not a good idea?
Ive liked and subscribed doible arrorws would look amazing
Thanks for the like and sub! If you would like to buy the double arrows please submit me a private message on Facebook with your bid. :)
How many units do you own
We own a 3 car set made up of DMS 51412, TCL 59520 and DMBS 51370 and the parts doner 51400 which will be scrapped early next year.
If you go back through our previous videos and find the one titled ‘meet the fleet’ we go into detail looking round our 3 units based at Dereham.
@railcarrestorers do you have a spare lamp bracket from the shell. Got a headboard to be mounted
I have the front buffer beam mounted ones but not the rear ones if that helps?
Fascinating chapter this one guys. Always a shame to see a piece of kit bite the dust, but as you say, spares to keep the sizeable fleet of working units going are only going to become scarcer as the years roll by. On balance, your decision seems the most logical you could have made.
Enquiry: Will the strip down be sufficiently comprehensive to rescue any sections of those tricksy extrusions you guys always seem to need on restorations? I did notice that complex curves of the roof front warranted separate removal!!
Enquiry 2: Mention was made of swapping out wheelsets. Cracked wheel centre castings aside, are there techniques to address a problem which seems eerily familiar to those who've followed the careers of Ffestiniog locos from the Spooner era to the present day?
Many thanks for the very indepth comment. To answer your questions the complex curves on the front are hard to get made and of a specialist profile hence why they were saved just incase they were ever needed! The wheelsets including bogies from this unit will go under our 51412 to replace the worn out scrap tyres that are under it and also solve the lack of final drive issue so the unit will be back to full health!
A better idea would be to remove the engine and convert it into a driving trailer, so it saves having to run around with the locomotive.
A nice idea but that would also have limited some of the vital spares we needed to get for our other power cars especially 51370!
Hi Guys Bruce here from the KDR do you know of any 108 type trailer bogies or axles available to fix our Dram Tram?
Hi mate please send me a text I may know of a set for you!
Once its gone, its gone.
I regret not trying to save Loudaphones from the scrapped 400s, BR Arrow mirrors and sets of horns.
At last - some common sense.
i would like the phone have subcribed and liked the video
Many thanks for the like and subscribe you have been entered into the phone draw!
Have liked, subscribed, would like the telephone.
Many thanks for the like and subscribe, you have been entered into the draw to win the phone :)
You have looked after many other units by doing a sad thing. Would love to win the phone BTW !!
Many thanks for the comment, you have been entered into the draw to win the phone :)
It would only be the wrong thing to do if it was in better condition than an existing power car. However I'm sure you'd be doing things differently if that was the case.
Most certainly we would we felt it the best decision given 51412 has had so much time and money put into getting it right a simple bogie change is lots easier!
Said on your last video you would do this
Well done on guessing correctly. We hope you enjoyed the video :)
@ yes keep up the good work
@@spannerdog123Many thanks :)
I thought there would be plenty of footage smashing stuff up with sledgehammers and cutting torches. Heaving stuff through the windows etc. It was all a bit disappointing just undoing a few bolts and screws. Is there gonna be some footage of smashing it wth a claw crane or cutting the frames. Thats more interesting.
some times rail cars are gust too far gone and cost of repairing is some times too grate it provides good spare parts which you gust cant get hold of and are very expensive i the dmu livd its life its not all lost its giveing up very valubull spares wich is very hard to souce for thies unites
This one wasn't too far gone, but the other DMS (51412) they have is in much better nick, there are worse 117 vehicles out there, but the scrapping of this is derfinitely not a waste
Some very valid points you make there many thanks for the comment we are glad you enjoyed the video :)
@@trainman86trainstramsandmoreWell said! :)
This is/was one of the better ones, they could have got hold of one of the worse condition ones and scrapped that, seems a shame to scrap a good one.
@mikeburnitt403 they needed the wheelsets mainly, not so much everything else. Other potential spares donors might have inferior wheelsets.
To much talk and the speed is hard on the eyes and brain, thought was worth a look though
Many thanks for the feedback 👍🏻
Soooooooooooo much for restoring ... thumbs DOWN.
Thanks for the comment, we feel it the best decision to make so we can keep our 3 car set we are restoring going…
OH give over there’s more to restore than this one …. The guys have made a great decision
no big deal