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Vehicle 56161

Class 103

Builder: Park Royal
Layout: Low-Density
Length: 57ft
Coupling Code: Blue Square
Coupling Type: Screw
Gangway Type: LMS
Lot Number: 30287
Diagram: 645

Allocations

The London Midland Region didn't publish trailer car details until late in 1968. Although not 100% reliable, if it is assumed that the trailers remained with the same power cars, the allocations for 50406 during the unknown period are:

2w/e 30/06/58	New to	5B (Crewe South)
4w/e 29/11/58	Transferred to	3C (Ryecroft)
Jun-60	Depot code change	21F
Sep-63	Depot code change	2G
w/e 07/01/67	Transferred to	6A (Chester)

Then the allocations for 56161 are:

Jun-82

Withdrawn from

CH (Chester)

Disposal

Scrapped by Vic Berry, Leicester

Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:

50406	56161	As delivered to 5B - June 1958
50406	56161	Noted 01/01/68 - in Manchester Exchange¹
50228	56161	Noted 08/01/1972 - at Crewe²
50408	56161	Noted 25/02/1977 - Worked 2F73, 14.56 Helsby to Rock Ferry³
50408	56161	Noted 08/09/77 - at Barmouth⁴
50938	56161	Noted 28/08/1979 - at Dovey Junction²
50404	56161	Noted 22/06/1980 - Churnet Rail Special Crewe-Chedleton and return 50404-56161+50625-56213+56150-50400
50404	56161	Noted circa 06/1981³
50405	56161	Noted circa 08/1982³

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

Images:

2nd May 1964

A Park Royal twin DMU formed of M56161 + M50404 approaches Dudley station where it will terminated with the 5.44pm ex-Wallsall on 2 May 1964. Michael Mensing.

12th May 1964

A Park Royal twin with M56161 closest seen just south of Bedworth with a Leamington Spa service on 12 May 1964. Michael Mensing.

22nd March 1975

Set number: CR215

Class 103 M56161 at Chester depot on 22 March 1975. It is missing a coupling hook, route indicator blind cover, destination blind, the glass from one marker lamp, one jumper lead, and the throttle (or gear) controller has been extracted and is lying on the driver's desk. Alistair Ness.

11th March 1978

A Park Royal Class 103 DMU at Llandudno Junction on March 11, 1978. The vehicle closest appears to be M56161. Michael Mensing.

May 1979

Class 103 DTC M56161 paired with a Class 108 DMBS and working with a tw-car Class 108, calling at Barmouth station in May 1979. Bob Belcher.

23rd June 1979

Coupled to a Class 108 Driving Motor Brake Second, Park Royal Class 103 Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory (DTCL) M56161, was awaiting departure from Crewe with a service to Shrewsbury on June 23rd 1979. Martyn Hilbert.

11th October 1983

Class 103 Park Royal DTCL 56161 boarded up, 40-012 on right, Carlisle Kingmoor 11-10-83. On the left is a Swindon-built DMU vehicle. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.

The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:

Date: 1961

A Derby Works image (negative 61/659) showing a final drive casing being removed (or assembled) from a wheelset circa mid-1961. Two vehicles can be seen in the background - Park Royal M56161 on the left and a Cravens on the right. British Railways.

Date: 22nd June 1980

Units 50400 + 56150, 56213 + 50625, 56161 + 50404 approach Leekbrook tunnel, near Cheddleton on 22nd June 1980. BR ran a series of 'Rail-Cruises' over the freight only Churnet Valley lines during the early 1980s - the line is now in the hands of the Churnet Valley Railway and sees use between Leekbrook and Kingsley. Paul Bettany.

Date: 22nd June 1980

Units 50400, 56150, 56213 + 50625, 56161, 50404 at Cheddleton on 22nd June 1980. BR ran a series of 'Rail-Cruises' over the freight only Churnet Valley lines during the early 1980s - the line is now in the hands of the Churnet Valley Railway, though here the CVR is still fenced-off from the 'main line' which was still in use for sand trains from Oakamoor (note the sand between the tracks which was in evidence from Oakamoor to Stoke's Cockshute yard!). Paul Bettany.

Date: 22nd June 1980

Date: 22nd June 1980

Date: 22nd June 1980

With bunting out for the occasion DMU's 50400 + 56150, 56213 + 50625, 56161 + 50404 approach Cheddleton on 22nd June 1980. BR ran a series of 'Rail-Cruises' over the freight only Churnet Valley lines during the early 1980s - the line is now in the hands of the Churnet Valley Railway and sees use between Leekbrook and Kingsley. Paul Bettany.

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