Class 314 preservation

[M28361M]

Prompted by Scotrail posting on their social media yesterday about the fifth anniversary of the 314 withdrawal, and also all the news about a 507 getting preserved. What happened to the 314 that was converted to a Hydrogen test train and reclassified as a 614? The last I heard, the trial at the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway had concluded by the end of 2022 and a video on YouTube shows the Hydrogen equipment being removed in January 2023.

I haven't heard anything since then. Are the vehicles still around and is there a preservation plan? Would be nice if at least one vehicle was preserved so examples of all the PEP-derived family of units survive.

 

[DanNCL]

It was still at Bo’ness when I visited in September

 

[Class15]

I haven't heard anything since then. Are the vehicles still around and is there a preservation plan? Would be nice if at least one vehicle was preserved so examples of all the PEP-derived family of units survive.

The 508s are quite difficult now, only hope would be somehow salvaging one of the fire training units or getting a coach of a SWR 455/7.

 

[M28361M]

The 508s are quite difficult now, only hope would be somehow salvaging one of the fire training units or getting a coach of a SWR 455/7.

There is a 508 driving vehicle in preservation now, from 508201. It was rescued from Seacombe, where it was being used for emergency services training, earlier this year. Owned by the owners of 313201, I believe the intention is to convert to a translator vehicle to allow the 313 to be loco-hauled.

It was still at Bo’ness when I visited in September

Thanks for the info. I assume it is somewhere viewable by the public? I did look on the Bo'ness website and couldn't see any mention of it, but maybe I missed it.

 

[Class15]

There is a 508 driving vehicle in preservation now, from 508201. It was rescued from Seacombe, where it was being used for emergency services training, earlier this year. Owned by the owners of 313201, I believe the intention is to convert to a translator vehicle to allow the 313 to be loco-hauled.

My apologies, must have missed that. That’s good news!

 

[DanNCL]

Thanks for the info. I assume it is somewhere viewable by the public? I did look on the Bo'ness website and couldn't see any mention of it, but maybe I missed it.

It is but only from a distance. Unless it’s moved it’s just outside the train shed at Bo’ness station.

 

[D365]

There is a 508 driving vehicle in preservation now, from 508201. It was rescued from Seacombe, where it was being used for emergency services training, earlier this year. Owned by the owners of 313201, I believe the intention is to convert to a translator vehicle to allow the 313 to be loco-hauled.

That’s interesting. Does the preservation group have any connection with Arlington Fleet Services which operate other ex-508 driving vehicles.

 

[WirralLine]

That’s interesting. Does the preservation group have any connection with Arlington Fleet Services which operate other ex-508 driving vehicles.

From the 400 series website

"313201 officially entered preservation on 19th October 2023 in partnership with Beacon Rail Leasing and Arlington Fleet Services."

 

[dmkc]

Picture from August (through fence) - Last I drove past (pre-xmas) I believe it was still in situ.
Whether it's getting a move about pre-diesel gala (kicking off tomorrow) unsure but ill maybe pop past later.

 

[50002Superb]

It was still there last weekend

 

[AlistairCowell]

Somebody told me at Summerlee today that he was at B&KR during the Winter Diesel Gala and 614209 is no longer at B&KR. Whether that’s true, I don’t know as that unit was there just before Christmas. Maybe the unit was moved somewhere on-site where the public can’t see.

19001 was still there but I don’t think LenzLabs is any longer involved either.

 

[JonathanH]

Somebody told me at Summerlee today that he was at B&KR during the Winter Diesel Gala and 614209 is no longer at B&KR. Whether that’s true, I don’t know as that unit was there just before Christmas. Maybe the unit was moved somewhere on-site where the public can’t see.

614209 was parked in full view, in the immediately adjacent siding to the station shed roof.

 

[dmkc]

It appears to have been removed from site via road today - Post by David Horne on Scottish Railways Past & Present Group

 

[M28361M]

Thanks for the update @dmkc. Does anyone know what the future (if any) is for the unit?

 

[MickeyN]

Heard its gone to Glasgow.Hope its found a home & not gone for scrap.

 

[AlistairCowell]

Not JR Adam and Sons (It's actully S.Norton & Co noo)?! If it does, then that does makes a change from the Newport scrapard, but still, this means that all Class 314s will become non-exsistant once 614209 meets the cutters torch.

Hopefully for preservation, eh?

 

[Ewan M]

It appears to have been removed from site via road today - Post by David Horne on Scottish Railways Past & Present Group

View attachment 172493

If indeed this has gone to the great train depot in the sky, expect most of the enthusiasts in Glasgow to lament the extinction of the 314s!

 

[D365]

The only upshot is that there is a three car ’PEP derivative’ AC unit preserved at Fife.

 

[DanNCL]

I’ve heard that it may have turned up at Springburn Works. Can anyone verify this?

 

[scotraildriver]

Gibson engineering have posted on LinkedIn that they now have the unit Glasgow works and it will be decommissioned and then used as a training unit for their employees. Sorry I can't get a link to work .

 

[dmkc]

H2H

 

[D365]

See below text extract from LinkedIn:

Gibson's Engineering, based at "The Caley" is pleased to announce the arrival of the Class 614 Hydrogen Electrical Multiple Units from Bo'ness and Kinneil railway, for decommissioning and removal of the experimental hydrogen pack and associated equipment on behalf of St Andrews University. Following completion of the works the unit will be used as our new training academy facilities allowing hands on practical training for both apprentices and competency maintenance for existing staff.