53434 | 53424 | Formed May 1985 | ||||||
53434 | 53424 | Noted 3rd May 1985 | ||||||
53434 | 53424 | Listed at Eastfield - Summer 1986 | ||||||
53434 | 53424 | Noted 25/06/1986 - Specially painted unit for Oban to Crianlarich shuttle seen at Oban | ||||||
53434 | 53424 | Listed at Eastfield - August 1986 | ||||||
53434 | 53424 | Listed at ED - 23/03/87 | ||||||
53434 | 53424 | Noted circa 05/19871 |
Formation Sources
1: Eddie Knorn
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.
A lucky shot of two Class 104 DMUs at Eastfield. 104325 (53424) aka The Mexican Bean and 104367 in the fueling shed on 2/5/85. Spannerman37025.
Mexican Bean 104 325 ((53434 + 53424) arrives at Oban during the Oban Railfair on 10-5-85. Spannerman37025.
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.
SC53424 in Crianlarich station on May 31st, 1985, while working the Oban - Crianlarich shuttle. Hamish Stevenson.
The Class 104 "Mexican Bean" 53434 + 53424 seen on Eastfield depot in 1985. Mike Bunker.
The "Mexican Bean" Sc53424 + Sc53434 at Cowlairs in 1985. Mike Bunker.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The 'Mexican Bean' 53434 + 53424 departs from Oban sometime in 1985. David Rhodes.
ScotRail BRCW Class 104 DMU 104 325 (53424 + 53434) at Oban station, waiting to form the 14.30 summer shuttle service to Crianlarich on 2 July 1985. Neil Smith.
ScotRail BRCW Class 104 DMU 104 325 (53434 + 53424) 'Mexican Bean' enters Oban station with the 12.35 summer shuttle service from Crianlarich on 2 July 1985. Neil Smith.
104 325 (53434 + 53424) at Eastfield, 16-7-85. Spannerman37025.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The "Mexican Bean", Class 104 vehicles 53434 + 53424, on Eastfield Depot on 9 March 1986. Stuart Mackay Collection.
"Mexican Bean" set 104 325 (53434 / 53424) in Eastfield depot, 30th April 1986. Neil Cannon.
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.
The 'Mexican Bean' 104 325 (53434 + 53424) at Eastfield TMD 2-5-86. Spannerman37025.
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.
The "Mexican Bean" 104 325 (53424 + 53434) in Oban station on 25 June 1986. George Woods.
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.
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.
The 'Mexican Bean' Class 104 DMU set 104325 (53424 + 53434) being hauled out of Glasgow Queen Street station on 8 August 1986 by 27014. It has probably arrived on the back of a loco-hauled service from Oban and being taken to Eastfield depot for servicing. Andrew Malloy.
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.
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.
53424 stabled in the sidings at Oban circa summer 1987. Note the headlamp fitted in the position of the top marker light which it only carried for the 1987 season. Brian Ward.
The "Mexican Bean" 53434 + 53424 at Oban sometime in 1987. Robert Forsythe.
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.
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.
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.
The Class 104 "Mexican Bean", formed 53424 + 53434, in Crianlarich station on 24 September 1987. George Woods.
Withdrawn "Mexican Bean" 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.
Do you have any images of the set you can add?