Class 116 Derby 3-car Suburban DMUs
Departmental Use
| Original | Prefix | New | Set No. | Type | Details | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50063 | RDB | 977637 | DMBS | Claimed by Derby RTC for possible Civil Engineering use. Numbers never carried. | 8/88 | 5/90 | |
| 50093 | TDB | 977829 | T004 | DMS | Sandite | 10/92 | 2/94 |
| 50119 | RDB | 977636 | DMS | Claimed by Derby RTC for possible Civil Engineering use. Numbers never carried. | 8/88 | 5/90 | |
| 50881 | TDB | 977825 | T005 | DMS | Sandite | 10/92 | 2/94 |
| 50886 | TDB | 977827 | T003 | DMS | Sandite | 10/92 | 1/94 |
| 51138 | 977921 | DMBS | Number allocated but conversion never happened | 11/93 | 12/95 | ||
| 51153 | ADB | 977843 | T009 | DMS | Sandite | 12/92 | 2/94 |
Abandoned conversion
53063/119 were claimed by Derby RTC for possible Civil Engineering use after withdrawal in 1988. The vehicle bodies were to have been cut off behind each driving cab to provide a self-powered flat-bed for moving sections of track. The conversion to RDB97766/7 was cancelled in May 1990. They left Derby on the 12th Feb. '91 as part of 9X14 to Mayer Parry at Snailwell, accompanied by Class 103 and 104 cars.
Sandite
In 1992 the call came for more sandite vehicles. Tyseley 116s were ready, though by this time worn out. Initially three sets were assembled using DMS cars 53093, 53881 and 53886, these were paired with class 121 single units 55026, 55033 and 55034 respectively, shortly after another was added T009 with DMBS 51153 and 55032. These units ran for a short time as sandite cars over a wide operating area, often straying as far as East Anglia.
The first image shows set T003, which was formed of 977827 and 55034, stabled at Tyseley on October 18 1992. The second image is 977829 paired with a Class 121 (possibly 55034) at Norwich Crown Point in 1994. While it carries a set number (004), it does not seem to be carrying a vehicle number, and the white lining between grey and blue seems a little unusual.
Route Learner
Although not taken into departmental stock, 51151/53818 were noted in use as a route learner in 1994.