Class 117 DMU - 1st class available?

[lightbulb]

Hello all.

I have fond memories of travelling in class 117 DMUs on the Great Western back in the 1980s, especially in the 2+1 First class seats, which were the most comfortable seats I've ever sat in: you'd sink into them, like a really comfortable armchair. The replacement class 165 and 166s which replaced them in around 1992 were modern, and faster, but with 2+2 seating, were nowhere near as comfortable.

I've love to ride 117s in First class again, if possible. Are any of the heritage railways running them?

 

[theblackwatch]

Hello all.

I have fond memories of travelling in class 117 DMUs on the Great Western back in the 1980s, especially in the 2+1 First class seats, which were the most comfortable seats I've ever sat in: you'd sink into them, like a really comfortable armchair. The replacement class 165 and 166s which replaced them in around 1992 were modern, and faster, but with 2+2 seating, were nowhere near as comfortable.

I've love to ride 117s in First class again, if possible. Are any of the heritage railways running them?

I'm pretty sure the Wensleydale's TCL, 59509, which is in regular use, still has those seats in it. No First Class supplement either!

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

This should help you... Several are listed in operational and running order https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_117#Preservation

 

[MarlowDonkey]

The Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway has several. When they are in the same train and painted in Chocolate and Cream, the side doors to every seating bay makes them look as if they might be GWR main line survivals from the 1930s, rather than commuter DMUs from the early 1960s.

 

[davetheguard]

Hello all.

I have fond memories of travelling in class 117 DMUs on the Great Western back in the 1980s, especially in the 2+1 First class seats, which were the most comfortable seats I've ever sat in: you'd sink into them, like a really comfortable armchair. The replacement class 165 and 166s which replaced them in around 1992 were modern, and faster, but with 2+2 seating, were nowhere near as comfortable.

I've love to ride 117s in First class again, if possible. Are any of the heritage railways running them?

Comfortable but strangely low and near the floor. Not sure if the Paignton - Kingswear trailers still have the first class seats or not; perhaps you'll let us know if you get to sit on some!

 

[yorksrob]

I'm pretty sure the Wensleydale's TCL, 59509, which is in regular use, still has those seats in it. No First Class supplement either!

Yes, I sat in that and was very impressed. You get a nice long run on the Wensleydale as well !

 

[DarloRich]

Yes, I sat in that and was very impressed. You get a nice long run on the Wensleydale as well !

much better with a nice 37

 

[yorksrob]

much better with a nice 37

That does rather depend on what it's hauling

Perhaps with some nice mk2's!

 

[theblackwatch]

You can get the best of both worlds at Wensleydale sometimes - at the diesel gala and on other events, the 37 (or other diesels) are sometimes used to haul the DMU cars.

 

[D6975]

The Paignton ones are now second class only.
The observation car provides the first class.

 

[455driver]

The Paignton ones are now second class only.
The observation car provides the first class.

Paignton is a tourist railway, their market is Joe & Jemma public with their 2.4 children!

 

[Townsend Hook]

Paignton is a tourist railway, their market is Joe & Jemma public with their 2.4 children!

To be fair tourists were a major part of its traffic under GWR/BR ownership anyway, nothing changes .

 

[455driver]

To be fair tourists were a major part of its traffic under GWR/BR ownership anyway, nothing changes .

I didn't mean it as a bad thing just that because of the way they run a lot of their stock has been extensively modified instead of being restored to original or remaining in ex BR condition, their 116/117 trailers have been changed quite a bit although they are very well looked after as is all their stock.