DMU Operations: Eastern Region
Romford-Upminster
DMUs were introduced to services with the 1956 winter timetable on September 17th. Trains ran at approximately half-hourly intervals connecting at either end with electric services (Liverpool St. - Shenfield and the underground District Line). The first train was at 6.05am from Romford and the last the 9.23pm from Upminster. This was an improvement over the previous irregular service provided at rush hours and on Saturday afternoons. There were still no Sunday trains.
They were operated by sets allocated to Stratford depot, which at this time were Derby Lightweights and Met-Camm Lightweights which also operated Wickford-Southminster services and the different DMUs used over the years would be similar.
The DMUs were replaced by EMUs when the line was electrified with the May 1986 timetable.
Sample Timetables
16th September 1957 to 8th June 1958
9th June to 14th September 1958
15th September 1958 to 14th June 1959
15th June to 13th September 1959
This measured 5" x 7 1/2"
Images
27th October 1956
Freshly transferred from Lincoln to Stratford, Met-Camm "Lightweight" E79279 (presumably with E79063) is seen in Romford station on 27 October 1956. Stuart Mackay Collection.
16th July 1959
An Orange Star coupling code Class 125 unit in Upminster station on the 16th July 1959. Steve Davies Collection.
11th April 1964
On a Romford - Upminster service is a BR Derby diesel-hydraulic DMU, with Motor Brake Second E51156 leading, in the bay platform at Romford on 11 April 1964. John Cosford.
11th April 1964
A Romford - Upminster service formed of a BR Derby diesel-hydraulic DMU leaving Romford for Upminster on 11 April 1964. The DMBS at the far end is E51156. John Cosford.
4th June 1970
Upminster Station on 4/6/70 with a 1927 built LT Q stock car next to a three-car Rolls-Royce powered Met-Camm unit (later Class 111). The closest vehicle is in green livery with revised lining, the centre car is in plain blue. Of the four sets allocated to Stratford only one was a batch three set with the four-character headcode, so the DMBS closest is presumably 51541. David Christie.
circa 1971
A Class 116 at Upminster on a Romford service circa 1971. John Law.
circa 1971
A Class 116 arriving into Emerson Park Halt circa 1971. John Law.
17th August 1971
A three-car Class 104 trailer brake second set is seen at Romford with the 14:10 to Upminster on 17 August 1971. Closest is noted as E50547, it has no yellow first class (unlike the far DMCL) suggesting it has been downgraded to a DMSL. Robert Thomas.
1976
A DMC / TBS / DMC Class 104 set arriving at Romford (showing marker lights and a tail lamp) while on Upminster duties in 1976. John Law.
March 1976
A three-car Class 104 TBSL set is seen in Romford station with an Upminster service in March 1976. Hugh Llewelyn.
March 1976
Birmingham RC&W Co.3-car Local Passenger dmu (Class 104) Nos.E50577 (Class 104/1), E59220 (166), E50555 (104/1) of the 1958 batch in BR Rail Blue livery with all yellow front end at Romford on an Upminster service, 03/76. Note the wooden platform. Hugh Llewelyn.
22nd May 1976
On the 14.30 branch shuttle from Upminster entering Romford on May 22, 1976. According to my notes the formation was E50881, E59367 and E50853. Note the gent on the right in a fine pair of denim flares, and also the nameboard with white lettering on a blue background, which has escaped the British Rail corporate identity. Tom Burnham.
June 1976
A Cravens set working the Romford to Upminster shuttle at Romford in June 1976. Ian Buck.
Unknown date
A Class 105 Cravens DMU with DTSL E56416 in Romford station, date unknown. Paul Redmond.
Unknown date
One of Stratford's Cravens DMUs in Upminster station with a Romford service, date unknown. Paul Redmond.
26th May 1977
The rasp of a Cravens 2-car DMU briefly disturbs the peace near Emerson Park Halt, working between Upminster and Romford on 26 May 1977. The line opened in 1893 and despite closure threats in the 1960s, survived to be electrified in 1986. Kevin Lane.
26th May 1977
Passengers anticipate the arrival of a Cravens twin-set at Romford, arriving on the branch from Upminster on 26 May 1977. Kevin Lane.
4th July 1977
A Cravens Class 105 DMU in Upminster station with the branch service to Romford on 4 July 1977. George Woods.
20th May 1978
A Cravens Class 105 DMU at Emerson Park on 20 May 1978. There is no sign of a driver at this end, nor a tail lamp or red light. Stuart Mackay Collection.
1st May 1980
A two-car Cravens Class 105 formed of cars E56421 & E50360 was stood in the bay platform alongside the Great Eastern main line at Romford on May 1st 1980. The unit was working the Romford to Upminister shuttle service. The 3.4 mile line was constructed by the London Tilbury & Southend Railway in 1893 and electrified in 1986. Martyn Hilbert.