Class 455 Preservation Society attempting to acquire a Class 455/8 unit

[Invincible]

I found on a Google search someone in Derby trying to buy a 455

Class 455 Preservation Society

Our plan

www.class455preservation.co.uk

Our plan​

We plan to preserve and restore a Class 455/8 unit to keep their legacy going strong for years to come.
We hope to be based at the Derby Litchurch Lane Works site owned by Alstom to allow us to work on maintaining, cleaning and upgrading components. As well as making full use of the test track allowing us to ensure the unit is able to move under power, alongside the test track the mainline connection ensures quick and easy access to the network for future railtours across the UK network.

Our hopes​

We hope to have a unit in the new year, early 2026 is our goal to ensure we can get it based at Derby to perform necessary maintenance and cleaning and testing before any plans for a tour can be made

Otherwise the nearest "455 preserved" experience will be the 150 at Alton?

 

[MickeyN]

Found on a Google search someone in Derby trying to buy a 455

Class 455 Preservation Society

Our plan

www.class455preservation.co.uk

Otherwise the nearest "455 preserved" experience will be the 150 at Alton?

Best of luck to them.

 

[adc82140]

Best of luck to them.

Indeed, but their initial newsletter doesn't fill me with an enormous amount of hope. "Tinkering with the PIS" is prominently mentioned, but nothing about the practicalities of getting mainline approval, or halting the corrosion that these aged units will inevitably have. I've watched with interest the developments with VEP 3417, for example, and the difficulties they have faced, and they are all people well embedded in the rail industry.

I hope to be proven very wrong.

 

[43096]

Indeed, but their initial newsletter doesn't fill me with an enormous amount of hope. "Tinkering with the PIS" is prominently mentioned, but nothing about the practicalities of getting mainline approval, or halting the corrosion that these aged units will inevitably have. I've watched with interest the developments with VEP 3417, for example, and the difficulties they have faced, and they are all people well embedded in the rail industry.

I hope to be proven very wrong.

I'm afraid I can't take this seriously. From referencing the NSERS (disbanded a while back amid accusations of a toxic culture), to having not even got a donation system up and running (rather fundamental for such a venture!), tinkering with the PIS and even thinking about running tours, it's clearly going to struggle.

 

[Towers]

O

I found on a Google search someone in Derby trying to buy a 455

Class 455 Preservation Society

Our plan

www.class455preservation.co.uk

Otherwise the nearest "455 preserved" experience will be the 150 at Alton?

Or one of the preserved PEP units perhaps, if the 508 trailer cars are your thing?

 

[TFT YouTube]

They have just rebranded to the BREL Preservation Society and intend to get a Class 156 alongside a 455, I hope all the best for them.

 

[35B]

They have just rebranded to the BREL Preservation Society and intend to get a Class 156 alongside a 455, I hope all the best for them.

Even less convinced seeing that BREL had nothing to do with the 156s

 

[fgwrich]

Even less convinced seeing that BREL had nothing to do with the 156s

Indeed, the only connection between BREL and the Metro-Cammell built class 156s are the BREL P3-10 & BT38 bogies

 

[D365]

I found on a Google search someone in Derby trying to buy a 455

Class 455 Preservation Society

Our plan

www.class455preservation.co.uk

Crikey. That original website didn't last long. Sadly, it didn't even end up being preserved on archive.org!

 

[Ploughman]

Indeed, the only connection between BREL and the Metro-Cammell built class 156s are the BREL P3-10 & BT38 bogies

I believe that the gangway ends were all supplied by BREL York
The works lorry was making about 3 trips a week over the A1/ A66 carrying boxed gangways in large crates.
I was relief driver at the time, so was called upon to do more normal duties.

 

[Britishgamer]

Crikey. That original website didn't last long. Sadly, it didn't even end up being preserved on archive.org!

I have a copy of the original thinking of putting in on achive

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Feb 2026 ==

I'm afraid I can't take this seriously. From referencing the NSERS (disbanded a while back amid accusations of a toxic culture), to having not even got a donation system up and running (rather fundamental for such a venture!), tinkering with the PIS and even thinking about running tours, it's clearly going to struggle.

This issue was noticed and updated with the correct name

 

[35B]

I have a copy of the original thinking of putting in on achive

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Feb 2026 ==


This issue was noticed and updated with the correct name

Which issue, and why an archive?

I might be able to be persuaded to put my hand in my pocket for a 455, as they formed the backdrop when I was growing up. But a website that is inaccessible, and comments of the sorts quoted upthread, give me zero confidence that this is a scheme that might have legs.

When I compare that to the many years of very hard work that has gone into the 4VEP, it’s like night and day.

 

[Britishgamer]

Which issue, and why an archive?

I might be able to be persuaded to put my hand in my pocket for a 455, as they formed the backdrop when I was growing up. But a website that is inaccessible, and comments of the sorts quoted upthread, give me zero confidence that this is a scheme that might have legs.

When I compare that to the many years of very hard work that has gone into the 4VEP, it’s like night and day.

Issue was the nsers which has now been fixed to the NSE Friends and the website is currently being rebuilt as per the rebrand and should be up within the next couple of days

 

[M28361M]

https://brelpreservation.co.uk/

Assuming this is the correct address, I'm afraid there are multiple, massive red flags for me looking at that website.

Unless I've missed something, nowhere on those pages are any of the people involved in this "society" named. Who is in charge of this society? Who is the treasurer who makes sure donated money is spent properly? Does your society have a constitution for good governance? Do you have engineering expertise to handle the arduous task of keeping 40-year-old rolling stock in reasonable condition? Assuming you preserve a 455, a 156 and a 56 as you say, where are you going to keep seven railway vehicles? Have you approached Angel Trains (for the 156) and Porterbrook (for the 455) to inform them of your interest?

I don't want to sound negative, but it will take more than a bare bones website and some Instagram posts to get something like this off the ground.

 

[sad1e]

BREL Preservation Society

Join us in saving the iconic Class 156 for future generations.

www.brelpreservation.co.uk

That Link doesn't seem to work , however this link does.
(Working link to the 455 preservation society website)

Google Drive: Sign-in

Access Google Drive with a Google account (for personal use) or Google Workspace account (for business use).

sites.google.com

 

[M28361M]

Thanks, seems the redirect doesn’t work with the ‘www’ at the start. I’ve edited my previous post.

 

[43096]

So, to quote their newsletter:

Our current preservation priority is a Class 156 unit.

Crucially, this shift in priority does not replace our long-term ambition to preserve a Class 455.

I hate to be “that person” but the words long-term and 455 really don’t belong together.

I’m not sure if this lot are either yet another bunch of time wasters doing damage to the reputation of preservation within the railway industry, or just on a wind up. Either way, I’d say avoid at all costs.

 

[35B]

https://brelpreservation.co.uk/

Assuming this is the correct address, I'm afraid there are multiple, massive red flags for me looking at that website.

Unless I've missed something, nowhere on those pages are any of the people involved in this "society" named. Who is in charge of this society? Who is the treasurer who makes sure donated money is spent properly? Does your society have a constitution for good governance? Do you have engineering expertise to handle the arduous task of keeping 40-year-old rolling stock in reasonable condition? Assuming you preserve a 455, a 156 and a 56 as you say, where are you going to keep seven railway vehicles? Have you approached Angel Trains (for the 156) and Porterbrook (for the 455) to inform them of your interest?

I don't want to sound negative, but it will take more than a bare bones website and some Instagram posts to get something like this off the ground.

All of the above, plus who within the group has any credentials for what will be required to look after these?

There is no meaningful connection between the designs other than the tenuous link through BREL - if I wanted to preserve a 455, I would be very concerned about my donations being put to use to buy a 156 or a 56.

I also note that there's a group that owns the sole remaining preserved 56, and that they are stretched for resources (especially people). Where is there any sense of collaboration with them?

This stinks of a bunch of mates who've listed their favourite train types. I will be surprised if the donations from outside the group cover the webhosting costs.

 

[43096]

This stinks of a bunch of mates who've listed their favourite train types.

Or just a wind-up.

 

[tumbles]

Feels like another BRC&W

 

[sad1e]

This stinks of a bunch of mates who've listed their favourite train types. I will be surprised if the donations from outside the group cover the webhosting costs.

Let's just say I know the people that have set up this preservation society and you're Pretty much correct.

Nobody running the society has had any previous experience with working on the railways and minimal experience with heritage lines.

They don't even have planned out where to base the unit or what they'll do with it fully once it's preserved other than "Run on the mainline" and considering that they have no connections with any depot managers or railway staff so I doubt they'll be able to do it the same way as the 4-VEP has been kept around.


Even if they got a unit they would be not in the best position as they don't even have the funds currently to extract one vehicle on a low loader, Nevermind 4 of them, but I doubt that will need to happen as all of their emails to Porterbrook have been met with dead silence.

 

[37069]

As someone who commuted on them daily for over six years, over enough miles to be a "main man" if I'd ever been bothered enough to collect the numbers (I wasn't), I've just got to ask... why?

They can't run on a preserved line, they're no use on the main line for charter work as they don't have toilets and are designed for commuter journeys of up to about an hour max, they aren't comfortable, they aren't glamorous, and they don't hark back to any golden age of travel nostalgia.

They've been workhorses and they deserve dignified, timely retirement, which doesn't involve rusting away somewhere out in the open for a decade being "restored" only to end up binned anyway.

 

[STINT47]

I just tried the donation button on the website and it leads to a page saying this business is not currently accepting donations.

 

[sad1e]

I just tried the donation button on the website and it leads to a page saying this business is not currently accepting donations.

Seems to be working again now.

 

[43096]

Let's just say I know the people that have set up this preservation society and you're Pretty much correct.

Nobody running the society has had any previous experience with working on the railways and minimal experience with heritage lines.

They don't even have planned out where to base the unit or what they'll do with it fully once it's preserved other than "Run on the mainline" and considering that they have no connections with any depot managers or railway staff so I doubt they'll be able to do it the same way as the 4-VEP has been kept around.


Even if they got a unit they would be not in the best position as they don't even have the funds currently to extract one vehicle on a low loader, Nevermind 4 of them, but I doubt that will need to happen as all of their emails to Porterbrook have been met with dead silence.

I will be blunt with this. It's a disgrace what they are doing if there is no real intent. Let's be clear, they are potentially taking money off people for something they will not deliver - they've already (I assume) had donations for the 455 effort and have now swivelled to a 156. Have those people been asked?

Further, such cowboy endeavours "poison the well" for genuine preservationists trying to deal with the industry. The ROSCOs receive loads of enquiries from chancers that they can do without - they just waste other people's time (though I am glad to see Porterbrook haven't dignified them with a reply in this case). With the lengths that some in the leasing companies have gone to in the past to support preservation, it's a pretty disgusting way for this group to behave.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

If anyone wishes to donate to a worthwhile 3rd rail project, make it 3417 (VEP), mostly railway/ex railway people involved, many of whom actually worked on VEP's back in the day.

SETG

Southern Electric Traction Group

www.setg.org.uk

 

[fgwrich]

Further, such cowboy endeavours "poison the well" for genuine preservationists trying to deal with the industry. The ROSCOs receive loads of enquiries from chancers that they can do without - they just waste other people's time (though I am glad to see Porterbrook haven't dignified them with a reply in this case). With the lengths that some in the leasing companies have gone to in the past to support preservation, it's a pretty disgusting way for this group to behave.

Exactly this. Unfortunately the attitudes of a few made obtaining parts for HSTs slightly more difficult over recent years due to some, shall we say, tyrekickers. Certain Scrapyards also tightened their policies and attitudes towards preservationists, and whilst he may appear incredibly blunt to some, is why Harry Needle has his policies in place.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

Certain Scrapyards also tightened their policies and attitudes towards preservationists, and whilst he may appear incredibly blunt to some, is why Harry Needle has his policies in place.

Agree completely. Too many dreamers and p-takers out there. Without a firm (business) plan (like the phrase or not) and finances in place, before hand, many such preservation attempts are doomed. How many times have certain rusting hulks been mentioned on forums such as this!

 

[yorkie]

https://brelpreservation.co.uk/

...

The new site appears to be:

Google Drive: Sign-in

Access Google Drive with a Google account (for personal use) or Google Workspace account (for business use).

sites.google.com

Introduction

Welcome to the BREL Preservation Society (Formerly the Class 455 Preservation Society). We have the dream of preserving three Types of rolling stockthat ran during the BREL Period.

We plan to attempt to preserve a Class 56 Locomotive, a Class 156 Diesel multiple unit and a Class 455 electric multiple unit.

The Society is operated entirely by volunteers and relies heavily on donations.

We hope you share out enthusiam and help us save some Historic Traction for future generations!

with Support from th

MEet the units

Below is a brief description of the rolling stock we aim to preserve;

Class 56 – A heavy-haul diesel locomotive built in the 1970s, the Class 56 played a vital role in Britain’s freight network, particularly on coal and steel traffic. Its power and distinctive design make it an important representative of the diesel era.

Class 156 – Known as the “Super Sprinter,” the Class 156 diesel multiple unit became a familiar sight on rural and regional services from the late 1980s, improving passenger comfort and reliability on non-electrified routes.

Class 455 – Introduced in the early 1980s, the Class 455 electric multiple unit formed the backbone of suburban services in South London and the South East for decades, carrying millions of passengers and becoming an icon of commuter rail travel.

Future news and info

For any updates on our journey make sure to keep an eye on our Socials for posts about how we are doing and any progress and you can even have your photos and videos of 455s, 156s and 56s posted and be tagged and featured!

For more in depth updates keep your eye out for our Monthly Newsletter we already have Decembers up ready for you to view as well as more to come with any further updates on internal communication updates, future plans for us and things we have instore for you!

I'm not convinced this is a serious group.

It looks like a school project, except it wouldn't get a good grade for various reasons, for example it doesn't attribute the photographs; one of them appears to have a "JS Photography" watermark. If the author has given the site the rights to publish the photo (maybe "JS" is a member of the group?), it seems odd that they would want a tiny watermark that's barely legible and wouldn't want proper attribution.

If the person behind the website has a suitable qualification (even a basic iMedia GCSE), the site would look more professional than this.

The newsletter goes on to say:

Monthly Newsletter!
04/02/2026

Dear Members and Supporters,

We are pleased to announce an important and exciting development in the future of our organisation.
Formerly known as the Class 455 Preservation Society, we have now rebranded as the BREL Preservation Society.
Why the change?

While the Class 455 remains central to our origins, the new name better reflects our wider ambition: to celebrate, preserve, and interpret the legacy of British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) and the rolling stock produced during this influential period of British railway history.

This change allows the society to grow responsibly, pursue realistic preservation opportunities, and ensure a sustainable future for our work.

Our preservation priorities
As part of this evolution, we would like to share an update on our project focus.
Our current preservation priority is a Class 156 unit. This decision has been guided by practical opportunity, long-term viability, and the importance of securing a representative example of second-generation DMU design for preservation.

About the Class 156

Although commonly associated with Metro-Cammell, the Class 156 was developed as part of a joint programme involving BREL, with British Rail playing a significant role in design, engineering standards, and project oversight. The class therefore represents an important chapter in the broader BREL-era story of rolling stock development during the late 1980s.

Preserving a Class 156 aligns strongly with our aim to tell a wider and more complete story of BREL’s influence, collaboration, and innovation.

Crucially, this shift in priority does not replace our long-term ambition to preserve a Class 455. The Class 455 remains a core part of our identity and future plans, and the BREL Preservation Society structure enables us to pursue this goal when the right opportunity arises.

What stays the same?
- Our commitment to railway preservation and education
- Our organisational structure and existing projects
- Our dedicated committee and volunteer base
- Our enthusiasm for BREL-era rolling stock

What’s new?
- A clearer identity supporting future expansion
- Updated branding across our platforms and publications
- New opportunities for partnerships and member involvement

A message from the founders

When the Class 455 Preservation Society was established, our goal was to ensure that an important part of modern railway history would not be lost. As the group has grown, so too has our understanding of the wider story behind the trains we admire.
Rebranding as the BREL Preservation Society is the result of careful consideration and a desire to place the organisation on the strongest possible footing for the future. It allows us to respond to realistic preservation opportunities—such as the Class 156—while keeping our long-term ambitions for the Class 455 firmly in sight.

This is an evolution of our mission, not a departure from it. We remain committed to openness, responsible preservation, and keeping our members fully informed as our plans develop.

We thank you sincerely for your continued support and look forward to sharing further updates as this next chapter unfolds.

Kind regards,
The Founders and Committee
BREL Preservation Society

They also have a donation page; at first you are clicking on "BREL Preservation Society donations" but on the donation page, t changes to "Help up achieve our goal to preserve a class 156 DMU by donating today!"

I wonder how much they've raised so far?

 

[D365]

As it happens, I did once have access to an 80s-vintage technical specification document for what became the Class 156. I’m not sure exactly how much involvement BREL would have had, given that they were a direct competitor to Metro-Cammell.