A railcar dating from the 1950s is returning to the tracks after it was lovingly restored over the last nine years.
A unique driving coach from a 1958 railcar will be back in service from Saturday, September 9 2023 and it will run on the North Norfolk Railway, which goes between Sheringham and Holt.
The restoration of M56182 has been a labour of love for father and son team Paul and Chris Moxon, from Beeston Regis, and it is 36 years since it last carried passengers.
The Class 104 driving coach was built in 1958 at the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company as part of the British Railways’ modernisation plan.
This saw the construction of many diesel trains to take over from steam.
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The restoration has seen the vehicle restored to close to its original condition, complete with salvaged seats in the original style.
The wiring and instruments required for the driver’s desk have also been repaired and renewed.
This means that the coach can once again be used as a driving car when coupled to a compatible motorcoach to make a two-car train that can be operated from either end.
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This was one of the time-saving innovations that made this type of vehicle attractive to British Railways’ management in the 1950s.
Chris Moxon, co-owner and restorer, said: "We are looking forward to seeing M56182 in action and carrying passengers, having spent much of its life out of service and slowly decaying.
"We have taken great care to return her to original condition and although the wooden finish and comfortable seats look old-fashioned now, they were the height of modernity in the 1950s!”
Graham Hukins, the North Norfolk Railway’s commercial manager, said: "We are looking forward to having a Class 104 at Sheringham – the type that ran Norwich to Cromer to Sheringham services in the late 1970s so it is very appropriate the M56182 has been saved for use on the NNR.”
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