ELR Diesel Group - 24054/D5054 Phil Southern

24054/D5054 Phil Southern
Status: Operational
Livery: Two Tone BR Green, Half Yellow Panels
Running Number: D5053

Built:	1959 BR Crewe
Traction Type:	Diesel-Electric
Equipment:	British Thomson-Houston
Power Unit:	Sulzer 6LDA28
Power Output:	1160 HP
Max Speed:	75 MPH

Train Brakes:	Vacuum Only
Train Heating:	Steam Boiler (Isolated)
Weight:	79 Tons
Length:	50' 6"
Height:	12' 8"
Width:	8' 10"

D5054 is one of just four preserved examples from the original 151 strong fleet of locos and was amongst the first Diesel locomotives to be based at Bury, arriving in 1987. Livery wise, D5054 ran for many years in a non-standard BR Black scheme, had a short period in Load Haul and the current British Railways Green.

Phil Southern
Phil Southern was an early member of the ELR going back to the original base at Helmshore. When the ELR moved to Bury he became a director of the Railway responsible for electrical maintenance and projects.

Phil was one of the pioneers who got the Bury to Rawtenstall line re-opened for passenger service for both steam and diesel. Naturally he was a member of the Bury Type 2 Group and sadly was the first member to pass away. It was thought by the majority of the group that D5054 should carry his name in memory of Phil and his great works at the ELR.

The 24 has always been a solid performer but is currently stopped and undergoing a major overhaul including work to the main generator, proactive maintenance rather than the result of a failure. Other projects and operational demands have slowed progress on 5054 but the generator and power unit are nearly ready to be split so that the former can be sent away for overhaul.

In 2017 the main generator and traction motors were sent away for overhaul, cleaning and service. Meanwhile, various work was undertaken on the locomotive including the bogies, power unit and general maintenance. Following a full repaint, D5054 was relaunched to traffic at the Sulzer Theme Day on Saturday 16th of February 2019.

September 2023 saw D5054 visit the Great Central, then in 2024 visits to Swanage and West Somerset all of whom were relectant to send it back! 5054 had last visited the WSR some 25 years ago!

Following the ELR September Diesel Gala, the loco was stopped to allow for work to be carried out on the fuel injectors, electrical control systems and bodywork. D5054 was released into traffic for the July 2025 diesel gala running as D5053 in Two Tone BR Green livery.

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ELR Events

There are a wide range of events at the East Lancashire Railway ranging from Family and Education, Re-enactments, Sci-Fi, Transport and Collector's Fairs.

Selected events are shown below. See the ELR Website for the full event schedule including Family Events.

Event	Date(s)
Santa Specials	Saturday 22nd November to Wednesday 24th December
Mince Pie Specials	Friday 26th December
40106 Running Day	Saturday 27th December
2026
Whisky Chaser	Thursday 1st January
Open House Weekend	Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th January
Diesel Running Day	Saturday 7th February
Small Engines Gala	Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd February
Legends of Steam III	Friday 10th, Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th April
Day Out with Thomas	Saturday 2nd, Sunday 3rd and Monday 4th May
Summer Diesel Gala	Thursday 2nd, Friday 3rd, Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th July
Day Out with Thomas	Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th July
Autumn Diesel Gala	Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th September
Day Out with Thomas	Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th October
Autumn Steam Gala	Friday 16th, Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th October
DMU Weekend	Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th November

All events subject to availability
While every effort will be made to ensure events take place as advertised, rostered locos or units are available and running to the advertised timetable, the ELR reserves the right to cancel or terminate without prior notice.

Check out the ELR Website for the full event schedule.

The East Lancashire Railway Preservation Society was formed in 1966 and has always been a driving force behind everything we have achieved. Why not become a member and help support the ELRPS, click to find out more.