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<- 50433 | 50434 | 50435 ->

Vehicle 50434 / 53434


Class 104

Builder: BRC&W
Layout: Low Density
Length: 57ft
Coupling Code: Blue Square
Coupling Type: Screw
Gangway Type: LMS
Engines: Leyland 150hp
Transmission: Mechanical
Lot Number: 30293
Diagram: 556

Allocations

Jun-57 New to 5A (Crewe North)
Oct-57 Transferred to 9A (Longsight)
w/e 01/10/60 Transferred to 9D (Buxton)
Sep-63Depot code change9L
06/05/73Depot code changeBX
21/02/84 Withdrawn from BX (Buxton)
circa Mar-85 Reinstated ED (Eastfield)
Oct-85 Stored GC - then reinstated for Summer 1986.
Dec-87 Withdrawn from ED (Eastfield)

Notes

3rd May 1985 - Seen in 'Mexican Bean' livery
16th July 1988 - Listed at Thornton Junction Yard
18th February 1989 - Seen at Haymarket depot
1st July 1989 - Seen at Thornton Yard
19th October 1989 - Listed as withdrawn/out of use
12th October 1990 - Listed as stored condemned at Thornton Junction Yard

The vehicle carried the following numbers:

50434 - original number
53434 - from 1983 (53xxx / 54xxx change)

Disposal

Scrapped by MC Metal Processing, Springburn

Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:


50434 59142 50486 As delivered to 5A - June 1957
50434 59195 50486 Noted 04/11/68 - at Manchester Piccadilly1
BN465 50434 59195 50486 Listed at Buxton - circa Dec-69
50434 59195 50486 Noted 22/12/69 - at Manchester Piccadilly1
50434 59140 50486 Noted 16/04/73 - in Manchester Piccadilly2
50434 59134 50486 Noted 28/08/75 - on Longsight depot2
50434 59141 50481 Noted 04/01/78
BX487 50434 59132 50424 Noted 31/05/19823
BX487 50434 59132 50424 Noted 19/07/1982 - Manchester Picc. Blue/Grey livery3
BX487 50434 59132 50424 Noted circa 09/19823
BX487 50434 59132 50424 Noted circa 12/19823
BX487 50434 59207 50424 Noted 19/02/19833
104325 53434 53424 Formed May 1985
104325 53434 53424 Noted 3rd May 1985
104325 53434 53424 Listed at Eastfield - Summer 1986
104325 53434 53424 Noted 25/06/1986 - Specially painted unit for Oban to Crianlarich shuttle seen at Oban
104325 53434 53424 Listed at Eastfield - August 1986
53434 53424 Noted 11/08/86
104325 53434 53424 Listed at ED - 23/03/87
104325 53434 53424 Noted circa 05/19873
53434 53424 Noted 16th May 1987
53434 53424 Listed at ED - 1st January 1988

Formation Sources
1: Leonard Rogers
2: Gerald Brown
3: Eddie Knorn

Images:

Class 104 DMU at Buxton

1st September 1970

Set number: BN465

Class 104 DMU set BN465 (probably with 50434 closest) in Buxton station on 1 September 1970. An image from the Jim Freebury Railway Slide Collection. David Page.

Class 104 DMU at Manchester Piccadilly

August 1975

A three-car Class 104 seen at Manchester Piccadilly in August 1975, the closest vehicle appears to be M50434. Hugh Llewelyn.

Class 104 DMU at Manchester Piccadilly

20th November 1983

Set number: BX487

Class 104 DMU set BX487 (DMBS M53434 nearest camera, presumably with 59207 + 53424) waits at Manchester Piccadilly with a train for Buxton - 20/11/1983. 53A Models of Hull Collection.

Class 104 DMU at Manchester Piccadilly

1st April 1984

Set number: BX486

53434 is closest in blue-grey liveried set BX486 is seen at Manchester Piccadilly on the 1st April 1984. Dennis Taylor.

Class 104 DMU at Eastfield depot

30th January 1985

Class 104 DMU DMBS 53434 in Eastfield depot on 30/1/85. The Manchester PTE logo has been replaced with Scotrail branding, it would spend a brief spell in traffic before being repainted as the 'Mexican Bean'. Spannerman37025.

Class 104 DMU at Eastfield depot

2nd May 1985

Set number: 104325

104 325 (53434 + 53424) officially known as the 'MEXICAN BEAN' in reference to its colour scheme, seen at Eastfield fresh from a repaint at Cowlairs Carriage Depot on 2/5/85. This unit was used on the Oban line between Oban and Crianlarich as a tourist shuttle. When required at Eastfield for maintenance or returning to Oban it was attached to the rear of a service train. Spannerman37025.

Class 104 DMU at Oban

10th May 1985

Set number: 104325

Mexican Bean 104 325 ((53434 + 53424) arrives at Oban during the Oban Railfair on 10-5-85. Spannerman37025.

Class 104 DMU at Eastfield

16th May 1985

Set number: 104325

Commonly known as 'The Mexican Bean' because of its unusual livery, 104 325 (53434 + 53424) stands on Number 3 Road inside Eastfield TMD. Number 3 and 4 (on the right) roads were used exclusively for DMU Maintenance. Spannerman37025.

Class 104 DMU at Oban

1st June 1985

Set number: 104325

Standing in Oban yard on 1st June 1985 are two former Buxton allocated 'White Roofed' class 104 DMU power cars, which now form 104325 'The Mexican Bean' and allocated to Eastfield Depot as their SC53434 and SC53424, for services on the 42 mile Crianlarich to Oban branch for the summer tourist traffic, they worked three summer seasons for ScotRail and the Highlands & Islands Tourist Board being taken out of use in the autumn of 1987. Andrew J Crowther.

Class 104 DMU at Eastfield depot

1985

Set number: 104325

The Class 104 "Mexican Bean" 53434 + 53424 seen on Eastfield depot in 1985. Mike Bunker.

Class 104 DMU at Oban

1st June 1985

Set number: 104325

Two former Buxton allocated 'White Roofed' class 104 DMU power cars, which now form 104325 'The Mexican Bean' and allocated to Eastfield Depot as their SC53434 and SC53424, for services on the 42 mile Crianlarich to Oban branch for the summer tourist traffic, they worked three summer seasons for ScotRail and the Highlands & Islands Tourist Board being taken out of use in the autumn of 1987. 1st June 1985. Andrew J Crowther.

Class 104 DMU at Oban

circa 1985

Set number: 104325

The "Mexican Bean" Class 104 DMU in Oban station alongside an Inspection Saloon. The DMU vehicle in view is thought to be 53434, taken circa 1985. Ian Dinmore/railarchive.org.uk.

Class 104 DMU at Oban

1985

Set number: 104325

The 'Mexican Bean' 53434 + 53424 departs from Oban sometime in 1985. David Rhodes.

Class 104 DMU at Eastfield depot

16th July 1985

Set number: 104325

104 325 (53434 + 53424) at Eastfield, 16-7-85. Spannerman37025.

Class 104 DMU at Eastfield depot

30th April 1986

Set number: 104325

"Mexican Bean" set 104 325 (53434 / 53424) in Eastfield depot, 30th April 1986. Neil Cannon.

Class 104 DMU at Eastfield depot

2nd May 1986

Set number: 104325

The 'Mexican Bean' 104 325 (53434 + 53424) at Eastfield TMD 2-5-86. Spannerman37025.

Class 104 DMU at Dalmuir

circa summer 1986

The Class 104 "Mexican Bean" (53434 + 53424) on the rear of a Glasgow-Oban service circa summer 1986. It travelled back and forward this way to Eastfield for servicing. Brian Ward.

Class 104 DMU at Oban

1987

Set number: 104325

The "Mexican Bean" 53434 + 53424 at Oban sometime in 1987. Robert Forsythe.

Class 104 DMU at Oban

16th June 1987

Set number: 104325

Mexican Bean Class 104 Sc53434 + Sc53424 is seen in Oban after arriving on the rear of the 18:20 Glasgow - Oban on June 16, 1987. They made this move regularly to Eastfield depot for servicing and fuelling, and were locked out of use for the journey. Hamish Stevenson.

Class 104 DMU at Dalmally

30th August 1987

Set number: 104325

A busy Sunday afternoon at Dalmally. 30/08/87. Dalmally station plays host to two DMU's on a route at the time which was pretty well solid class 37's on passenger trains and freight. On the left is the 'Mexican Bean' DMU set 104 325 working train 2Y96 the SuO 14.00 Oban to Crianlarich. This was a summer only dated BR ScotRail / Highlands & Islands Tourist Board sponsored service using the DMU as a self propelled observation saloon train. On the right is Ayr allocated DMU set 107440 working the Branch Line Society's 'Firth of Lorne' railtour which had originated from Glasgow Central and was a six car formation with DMU set 101338 out of sight behind. The highlight of the tour being a traversal of the freight only branch to Crianlarich Low Level on the former Caledonian Railway route to Dunblane via Balquhidder. 53434 has a Wipac headlight fitted on the roof dome, Adrian Nicholls.


The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:

DMU

Date: 23rd July 1983

A freshly painted Class 104 (with roof vents removed) leads a six-car DMU formation past Falsgrave signal box into Scarborough on Saturday 23 July 1983. The vehicles are M53431 + M59137 + M53496 / M53424 + M59207 + M53434. Note the 1Z11 in the centre cab window, this is thought to be a BR merrymaker from Buxton. Brian Daniels.

DMU

Date: circa 1984

Set number: BX486

Class 104s making some smoke at Buxton, circa 1984. On the right is blue grey set BX486 formed of 53424 + 59207 + 53434, the two power cars would later form the 'Mexican Bean'. Ian Dinmore/railarchive.org.uk.

DMU

Date: 1st April 1984

Set number: BX486

Blue-grey liveried set BX486 arrives into Manchester Piccadilly on the 1st April 1984. The formation is believed to be 53424 + 59207 + 53434. Dennis Taylor.

DMU

Date: 1985

Set number: 104325

The 'Mexican Bean' (53424 + 53434) at Crianlarich. No date given, but the small Scotty dog on the side means this was in the first year of operation in 1985. Spannerman37025.

DMU

Date: 1st June 1985

Set number: 104325

Stabled in the yard at Oban along with a YCV Turbot open ballast wagon are two former Buxton allocated 'White Roofed' class 104 DMU power cars, which now form 104325 'The Mexican Bean' and allocated to Eastfield Depot as their SC53424 and SC53434, for services on the 42 mile Crianlarich to Oban branch for the summer tourist traffic, they worked three summer seasons for ScotRail and the Highlands & Islands Tourist Board being taken out of use in the autumn of 1987. 1st June 1985. Andrew J Crowther.

DMU

Date: 1985

Set number: 104325

The "Mexican Bean" Sc53424 + Sc53434 at Cowlairs in 1985. Mike Bunker.

DMU

Date: 10th June 1985

Set number: 104325

Stabled on Eastfield TMD, Glasgow on the 10th June 1985 is Class 104 DMCL SC53424 in 'Mexican Bean' livery attached to DMBS SC53434 both being in ex works condition. This 2 car unit would be utilised in the Summer months to operate a tourist service between Oban and Crianlarich on the West Highland line for the next 3 seasons before being taken out of service in the Autumn of 1987. Bob Woolnough.

DMU

Date: August 1985

Set number: 104325

The "Mexican Bean" (53424 / 53434) glimpsed at Dalmally from a passing train while working an Oban to Crianlarich shuttle on a rainy day in August 1985. John McIntyre.

DMU

Date: 1985

Set number: 104325

Two 104s in Oban station: 37 104 and the Class 104 "Mexican Bean" DMU (53424 + 53434). Date unknown, the DMU is carrying small 'Scotty Dogs' on the bodyside which it only did during the 1985 season, the following year they were replaced with larger ones. Ian Dinmore/railarchive.org.uk.

DMU

Date: 29th September 1985

Class 104 BRC&W 2-car DMU 104 325 (53424 + 53434) in Mexican Bean livery, stabled at Oban circa 29-9-85. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.

DMU

Date: October 1985

Set number: 104325

Class 104 BRC&W 2-car DMU 104 325 (DMCL 53424 + DMBS 53434) in Mexican Bean livery, stabled at Oban in October 1985. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.

DMU

Date: late 1985 / early 1986

Set number: 104325

The Class 104 'Mexican Bean' (53424 + 53434) at a sunny Eastfield depot. Undated - the small scotty dog and faded maroon suggests this is either at the tail end of the 1985 season or even early 1986 before the maroon repainted for the 1986 season. Spannerman37025.

DMU

Date: circa May 1986

Set number: 104325

The Class 104 'Mexican Bean' (53424 + 53434) at a sunny Eastfield depot circa early May 1986 with freshly painted buffers tyres and exhaust ready for the its second summer season. Spannerman37025.

DMU

Date: 9th June 1986

Set number: 104325

The Mexican Bean, (formed of Class 104 vehicles 53434 + 53424) given its nickname for its colour, sits at Oban in-between shuttle service to Crianlarich on 9 June 1986. Stephen Burdett.

DMU

Date: 25th June 1986

Set number: 104325

The "Mexican Bean" 104 325 (53424 + 53434) in Oban station on 25 June 1986. George Woods.

DMU

Date: circa summer 1986

Set number: 104325

A Glasgow Queen Street - Oban train passes through Dalmuir station circa summer 1986. On the rear is the "Mexican Bean", BRC&W set 104325 (53424 + 53434). Brian Ward.

DMU

Date: 6th August 1986

Set number: 104325

The 'Mexican Bean' Class 104 DMU set 104325 (53424 + 53434) in Glasgow Queen Street station on 8 August 1986. It has probably just arrived on the back of a loco-hauled service from Oban for servicing at Eastfield. Andrew Malloy.

DMU

Date: 6th August 1986

Set number: 104325

The 'Mexican Bean' Class 104 DMU set 104325 (53424 + 53434) being hauled out of Glasgow Queen Street station on 8 August 1986 by a Class 27. It has probably arrived on the back of a loco-hauled service from Oban and being taken to Eastield depot for servicing. Andrew Malloy.

DMU

Date: 11th August 1986

Set number: 104325

Seen at Oban on 11/08/1986, 104325 consisted of vehicles SC53424 + SC53434 and was painted in this so-called "Mexican Bean" livery of maroon and white for use on the Oban - Crianlarich summer shuttle services. It was often attached to the rear of a loco-hauled service to be taken back to its home depot of Eastfield (ED), Glasgow, for servicing / refueling. Note the white West Highland Terrier symbol on the bodyside, representing the said depot. Graeme Phillips Collection.

DMU

Date: 1987

Set number: 104325

The 'Mexican Bean' 53424 + 53434 stabled in the sidings at Oban alongside a Class 37-hauled Glasgow service. In the distance on the right is 107444 working a special. Brian Ward.

DMU

Date: 30th August 1987

Set number: 104325

Possibly the most famous class 104 DMU set of the whole class 'The Mexican Bean' 53424 + 53434 (set 104 325) arriving at Dalmally forming train 2Y96 SuO 14.00 Oban to Crianlarich on August 30, 1987. Adrian Nicholls.

DMU

Date: 24th September 1987

Set number: 104325

The Class 104 "Mexican Bean", formed 53424 + 53434, in Crianlarich station on 24 September 1987. George Woods.

DMU

Date: 8th December 1990

Set number: 104325

Withdrawn &quot;Mexican Bean&quot; Class 104 set 53424 and 53434 stored at Thornton Junction on 8 December 1990. A Class 101 DMBS is in front and a Class 122 behind. Stuart Mackay.