The SPS (Swindon Preservation Society) was formed in a compartment of a Class 126 trailer car in 1982 when a small band of enthusiasts decided to act to save a unit before the class disappeared. It was the first group in Britain set up specifically to preserve a DMU – the aim was to restore it to as near original condition as possible and repaint it green. "Diesel" was soon added to the group name after too many questions about what part of the town of Swindon they were preserving.

51043 being off-loaded at Brechin after the road move from Lawrencekirk.

The Society successfully purchased DMBS 51043, DMS 51017 and TCK 59404 in 1983, complete and in running condition. They were initially located on the Caledonian Railway at Brechin / Bridge of Dun, far from the mainly Glasgow based volunteers. This Railway had recently been established and would take several years before it opened properly to the public.

As the years went by the vehicles were deteriorating faster than the work parties could handle, they still contained asbestos which was becoming a major problem and a major liability. The solution involved the SDPS transferring ownership of the vehicles to the Scottish Railway Preservation Society (SRPS) as part of their museum collection. They moving to the SRPS base on the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway, closer to the SDPS volunteer base. The new owners – as an established charity – were able to obtain grants for the asbestos removal and rebuilding. The Swindon Diesel Preservation Society in effect then became a support group looking after the DMU vehicles, without any liabilities that owning vehicles entails.

Another important function of the SDPS was historical research on the BR career of the Class (and other Swindon-built DMU types). These articles appeared in the Society's quarterly newsletter — White Circle News — (it’s name taken from the vehicle’s unique coupling code) which kept members up-to-date with presercation progress and related developments. A sample issue can be found here.

In the internet age it was felt that there was no longer any need for a formal society structure: AGMs, accounts and membership renewals/records were an unnecessary burden and the Society was dissolved in early 2021. The Society had achieved its main goal of saving the vehicles. The only membership benefit — White Circle News — continues to be produced and will now be available to all via the website better publicising the Class and the restoration effort.

Regular work parties at Bo’ness progress the restoration and maintenance of the vehicles, involving all skill levels - you are welcome to join us!