The BRCW Group

The BRCW Group looks after the largest single collection of Class 104 Diesel Multiple Units. Formed in 2001, the BRCW Group has the care of six Class 104 vehicles, almost half of the total number in preservation. We are based on the Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire, and currently have two out of the six vehicles fully restored and operating regularly on the 5 and a half mile route, with a third currently undergoing the heaviest restoration a Class 104 has seen. Of the thirteen Class 104 vehicles saved in total, they were split into three groups: six going to the Churnet Valley Railway, three to the Llangollen Railway and four to the Telford Steam Railway. All thirteen are owned by Kevin Dowd and Robert Simpson, and the BRCW Group look after the six at the CVR. Currently we have about five volunteers working regularly and the group’s current project is to fully restore unique Centre-Trailer car M59137 to operate in-between the operating Power-Twin set M50455/M50517 to boost capacity of the unit as the railway is currently using it on the busiest of days meaning a requirement for more seats. This website was set up in spring 2007 as a way of displaying our collection of vehicles more effectively as well as providing information about the group not currently accessible to the public. With the continued support of current volunteers and the growth of the core-group of working volunteers, we are confident that all six vehicles will one day run together.

More information about the Line we're based on, getting involved or contacting us, can be found on the pages below: