Vehicle 50055 / 53055
Class 116
Builder: BR Derby Works
Layout: High Density
Length: 64ft
Coupling Code: Blue Square
Coupling Type: Screw
Gangway Type: None
Engines: Leyland 150hp
Transmission: Mechanical
Lot Number: 30211
Diagram: 553
Allocations
| May-57 | New to | 84E (Tyseley) | |
| 01/01/63 | Boundary change | 84E | transferred from WR to LMR stock |
| Sep-63 | Depot code change | 2A | |
| May-73 | Depot code change | TS | |
| 4w/e 27/05/95 | Withdrawn |
Notes
19/05/84 - Tyseley formation 53055 / 59611 / 53116 + 53890 / 59603 / 53867 was an unusual visitor to the Hastings area on 19 May 1984 on a working from Bicester.
The vehicle carried the following numbers:
50055 - original number
53055 - from May-83 (53xxx / 54xxx change)
Disposal
Scrapped by MC Metal Processing, Springburn
Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:
| 50055 | 59005 | 50097 | As delivered to WR - May 1957 | ||||||
| TYS305 | 50051 | 59001 | 50055 | Noted March 1958 | |||||
| 324 | 50055 | 59024 | 50106 | Noted Aug-601 | |||||
| 50055 | 59023 | 50116 | Noted 01/04/69 - in Birmingham New Street2 | ||||||
| TY523 | 50055 | 59023 | 50116 | Noted circa Jun-69 | |||||
| TY523 | 50055 | 59023 | 50116 | Listed at 2A - 16/08/70 | |||||
| 50055 | 59023 | 50116 | Noted 30/10/70 - at Birmingham New Street2 | ||||||
| 50055 | 59023 | 50116 | Noted 05/11/70 - at Birmingham New Street2 | ||||||
| 50055 | 59023 | 50116 | Noted 06/11/70 - at Birmingham New Street2 | ||||||
| 50055 | 59023 | 50116 | Noted 14/07/1973 - at Birmingham New Street3 | ||||||
| 50055 | 59023 | 50116 | Noted 31/05/1975 - at Tyseley4 | ||||||
| 50055 | 59023 | 50116 | Noted 31/07/76 - in Birmingham New Street5 | ||||||
| 50055 | 59023 | 50116 | Noted 08/09/76 - at Tyseley5 | ||||||
| 50055 | 59023 | 50116 | Noted 23/07/77 - on 2F76 1715 Birmingham New Street-Leicester | ||||||
| TS523 | 50055 | 59023 | 50116 | Noted circa 01/19786 | |||||
| TS523 | 50055 | 59023 | 50116 | Listed at TS - 12/08/79 | |||||
| 50055 | 59023 | 50116 | Noted 24/05/80 | ||||||
| TS523 | 50055 | 59023 | 50116 | Noted circa 01/19816 | |||||
| TS523 | 50055 | 59023 | 50116 | Noted circa 10/19816 | |||||
| TS523 | 50055 | 59019 | 50116 | Noted circa 05/19826 | |||||
| TS523 | 50055 | 59019 | 50116 | Listed at TS - Jan-83 | |||||
| 50055 | 59365 | 50116 | Noted circa 04/19836 | ||||||
| TS523 | 53055 | 59641 | 53116 | Noted circa 02/19846 | |||||
| TS611 | 53055 | 59611 | 53116 | Noted circa 06/19846 | |||||
| TS611 | 53055 | 59611 | 53116 | Noted 09/06/1984 - BR Ruddington Requiem Railtour 53190-59130-53857 + 53055-59611-53116 + 53318-59114-53328 | |||||
| TS611 | 53055 | 59611 | 53116 | Noted circa 10/19846 | |||||
| TS611 | 53055 | 59611 | 53116 | Noted circa 01/19856 | |||||
| TS611 | 53055 | 59611 | 53116 | Listed at TS - May-85 | |||||
| 53055 | 59611 | 53116 | Noted 13/07/85 - at Norwich5 | ||||||
| TS611 | 53055 | 59611 | 53116 | Noted circa 11/19856 | |||||
| TS611 | 53055 | 59611 | 53116 | Listed at Tyseley - Summer 1986 | |||||
| TS611 | 53055 | 59611 | 53116 | Noted 01/06/1986 - Coalville Depot open day shuttles to and from Leicester TS611+TS615 | |||||
| TS611 | 53055 | 59611 | 53116 | Noted 05/07/86 - at Norwich5 | |||||
| TS611 | 53055 | 59611 | 53116 | Noted 23/04/1987 - at Birmingham New Street - as 4 car set with TS0537 | |||||
| TS611 | 53055 | 59611 | 53116 | Noted circa 06/19876 | |||||
| T611 | 53055 | 59611 | 53116 | Listed at TS - Jul-87 | |||||
| T342 | 53055 | 59673 | 53056 | Formation change - TS - 2w/e 13/03/88 | |||||
| T342 | 53055 | 59673 | 53056 | Listed at Tyseley - 7th April 1988 | |||||
| T342 | 53055 | 59673 | 53056 | Noted circa 05/19886 | |||||
| 53055 | 59673 | 53056 | Noted 13/07/88 - on 16:30 Doncaster-Skegness | ||||||
| T342 | 53055 | 59673 | 53056 | Noted circa 05/19896 | |||||
| T342 | 53055 | 59673 | 53056 | Listed at TS - 01/09/89 | |||||
| T342 | 53055 | 59673 | 53056 | Listed at TS - 01/12/89 | |||||
| T342 | 53055 | 59673 | 53056 | Noted circa 05/19906 | |||||
| 53055 | 59673 | 53056 | Noted 06/05/1990 - at Tyseley depot3 | ||||||
| T342 | 53055 | 59673 | 53056 | Listed at TS - mid May-90 | |||||
| T412 | 51867 | 59591 | 59446 | 53055 | Noted circa 05/19916 | ||||
| spare | 53055 | Listed at TS - Jul-91 | |||||||
| T327 | 53055 | 59674 | 53921 | Listed at TS - Jul-91 | |||||
| T327 | 53055 | 59674 | Listed at TS - Aug-91 | ||||||
| spare | 53055 | Listed at TS - Aug-91 | |||||||
| T412 | 51867 | 59446 | 59591 | 53055 | Listed at TS - Aug-91 | ||||
| T327 | 53055 | 59589 | Listed at TS - Dec-91 | ||||||
| T327 | 53055 | 59589 | 53916 | Listed at TS - 02/07/92 | |||||
| T327 | 53055 | 59589 | 53916 | Noted circa 08/19926 | |||||
| T327 | 53055 | 59589 | 53916 | Listed at TS - 24/09/92 | |||||
| T407 | 53055 | 53916 | 53060 | 53321 | Listed at TS - Nov-92 | ||||
| T415 | 53055 | 59603 | 53916 | 51151 | Noted circa 11/19926 | ||||
| 53055 | 59603 | 53101 | Noted 10/12/92 - on 17:18 Longbridge - Blake Street8 | ||||||
| T415 | 53055 | 59603 | 53916 | Listed at TS - 10/12/92 | |||||
| T424 | 53055 | 59603 | 51329 | 51314 | Noted circa 08/19936 | ||||
| T224 | 53055 | 51329 | Listed at TS - Nov-93 | ||||||
| 51144 | 53055 | 53116 | Noted 09/08/94 - on 11:12 Nottingham to Birmingham New Street | ||||||
| 119432 | 51079 | 51107 | 53055 | Formed at TS circa Nov-94 |
Formation Sources
1: Andrew Cope
2: Leonard Rogers
3: Jeremy Goodyear
4: Peter Wallwork
5: Gerald Brown
6: Eddie Knorn
7: Robert Chilton
8: David Bellamy
Images:
18th May 1958
The 1.0pm Wellington-Leamington local service arrives into Hatton (where passengers should change for the Stratford-upon-Avon line) on Sunday 18th May 1958. It is formed with a Derby suburban triple set (later known as a Class 116) with DMBS W50055 leading. Michael Mensing.
early 1961
A Derby suburban triple DMU at Acocks Green in early 1961. W50055 seems to be the closest vehicle. Michael Mensing.
July 1962
Two unlined Derby suburban triples sets at Solihull in late July 1962. W50055 leads, which would spend its whole career allocated to Tyseley. Michael Mensing.
29th July 1962
Set number: 323
The 6.0pm Wellington - Leamington Spa service is seen passing over Lapworth troughs on July 29 1962. It is formed of Tyseley set 323 with DMBS W50055. Michael Mensing.
April 1964
Set number: 323
M50055 leads set 323 at West Bromwich in April 1964. Michael Mensing.
June 1966
In lined green livery a Derby suburban set led by M50055 passes Perry Barr North Jct in June 1966. Michael Mensing.
circa 1969
The guard of M50055 gets ready to buzz away his charge at Spring Road circa 1970. Stuart Mackay Collection.
late 1973
Set number: TY523
DMBS M50055 leads Class 116 set TY523 (presumably with 59023 + 50116) and another set at Old Hill station heading for Lichfield City in late 1973. Michael Mensing.
15th September 1979
M50055 at Sutton Coldfield on 15/09/79. Steve Jones.
7th August 1982
Set number: TS523
The Grid Iron Grice railtour of August 1982 offered the novelty of class 56 haulage from the Southern Region for a tour of the West Midlands on 7 August 1982. 56 003 has backed onto the rear of the train at Redditch, as one of Tyseley’s mixed up class 116 sets (TS523, M50055 and possibly M59019 + M50116) arrives and has to use the adjacent platform. Murray Liston.
7th August 1982
Set number: 523
Class 116 DMBS M50055 formed with refurbished TS, possibly 59019, and DMS M50116 of Tyseley set 523 at Redditch, Saturday 7th August 1982. Visible in the background is 56 003 waiting to continue the 'Grid Iron Grice' railtour back to London Bridge Iain Reid.
4th January 1986
Set number: TS611
Class 116 DMBS 53055, set number TS611, is seen at Tyseley on 04.01.1986. It carries an unusual livery addition of an extended grey stripe past the cab windows and black window surrounds. Andy Cole.
24th February 1986
Set number: TS611
Class 116 set TS611 53055 + 59611 + 53611 at Leamington Spa on 24/02/86. Roddy MacPhee.
1st June 1986
Set number: TS611
TS611 (53055 presumably with 59611 + 53116) in it's unusual livery seen at Coalville depot on the 1st June 1986 when it was working shuttles to Leicester and Burton-on-Trent for the open day. Chris Lings.
14th June 1986
Set number: TS611
In the summer of 1986 there was a dated train between Birmingham New Street and Barry Island. Two 3 car class 116s from Tyseley were used for this service and on 14 June 1986 the leading set (TS 611, 53055 + 59611 + 53116), pictured at Longbridge, was one of the sets with a slightly modified paint job on the front end. It's amazing what a difference a few brush strokes makes to the appearance of an otherwise standard unit. I suspect that the passenger accomodation for this long journey was a sight more comfortable in 1986 than would be provided in 2020 for an equivalent trip. Peter Tandy.
19th September 1987
Set number: TS611
Taken on 19/9/87 at Birmingham Moor Street, a week before closure of the terminal platforms, class 116 set TS611 (53055 and presumably 59611 + 53116) waits to leave for Dorridge. The platforms reopened in 2010 and the station is now the 2nd busiest in Birmingham and arguably the best!! Stephen Burdett.
6th May 1991
Set number: T412
Tyseley's four car sets were mostly formed of class 115, 116 and 127 as was the case on 6 May 1991 when I photographed T412 (53055 + 59446 + 59591 + 51867) passing the now demolished Smethwick West signalbox with a Hereford to Birmingham New Street train. The class 47 waiting at the signal was 47813 working a railtour that had just visited Handsworth in the days before the line was re-opened through to Snow Hill. Just behind the camera the Handsworth line crossed the Birmingham New Street to Wolverhampton route. This is now the site of Galton Bridge Station interchange where passengers can change trains between the two lines thus making the old Smethwick West station redundant. It's worth noting that any train leaving the Handsworth branch including this railtour had to run wrong line as far as Rood End Yard between here and Langley Green. Peter Tandy.
16th June 1992
Set number: T327
Class 116/127/116 hybdrid set T327 (53055 + 59589 + 53916) arriving into Hereford station on 16 June 1992. Stuart Mackay Collection.
26th March 1993
Set number: T324
First generation DMUs were far from from common on the Birmingham to Derby line by 1993 so it was a surprise when T324 formed of 53055 (class 116) + 59603 (class 115) + 53101 (class 116) appeared at Lea Marston working a Nottingham service, if the headcode panel is to be believed, on 26 March. I can only assume that it was a replacement for an unavailable sprinter and was definitely not an ECS train as there were many passengers visible on board. Peter Tandy.
7th April 1993
Set number: T324
T324 M53055 + M59603 + M53101 on the approaches of New Street 7-4-93. Kevin Dowd.
9th September 1993
Set number: T424
T424 (53055 + 59603) with 118s 51314 + 51329 at Longbridge on an ECS to form the 16:54 to Lichfield City, 9/9/93. Gazza Prescott.
The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:
Date: circa April/May 1977
Set number: TY523
Class 116 set TY523 (presumably 50116 + 59023 + 50055) seen departing from Chester Road (Birmingham) circa April/May 1977. Michael Mensing.
Date: 9th June 1984
Set number: TS600
The Ruddington Requiem railtour at East Leake (GCR) on 9/6/84. It was formed 53910 + 59130 + 53857 / 53055 + 59611 + 53116 / 53318 + 59114 + 53328. Mel Smith.
Date: 9th June 1984
Set number: TS600
The Ruddington Requiem railtour at Lawfield on 9/6/84. It was formed 53910 + 59130 + 53857, 53055 + 59611 + 53116, 53318 + 59114 + 53328. Chris Lings.
Date: 4th May 1985
Set number: TS061
TS061 (presumably 55011) leads Class 116 set TS611 (including 53055 + 59611) at Dorridge on 4 May 1985. 54A South Dock.
Date: 4th May 1985
A mixed DMU formation with "WM" branding, led by a Class 122 "Bubble Car" approaches Warwick on a working to Leamington Spa on 4th May 1985. While the bubble is unknown, the Class 116 is easily identifiable as set TS611 (53055 + 59611 + 53116). Bob Belcher.
Date: 10th June 1985
Set number: TS611
Class 116 set TS611 (53116 presumably with 59611 + 53055) with an afternoon Birmingham Moor St - Stratford Upon Avon service waiting time at Small Heath on Monday 10th June 1985. Colin Brooks.
Date: 31st August 1985
Set number: TS611
Set TS611, headed by DMS 53116 (presumably with 59611 and 53055), all in an experimental WMPTE, (WM) livery, on the last few yards of its journey into Hereford, past the yard, with a passenger service from the Worcester direction. 31st August 1985. John Crooks.
Date: 7th September 1985
Set number: TS611
On 7 September 1985, a derailment at Carnforth led to severe delays to trains between Scotland and England, resulting in this 6-car dmu formation running in the path of a the Glasgow / Dundee - Poole service between Birmingham and Reading. Seen at Oxford, closest is the distinct Class 116 set TS611 (53116/59611/53055). On the rear appears to be a 116/101/116 hybrid. On the right is a Class 121 bubble. Robert28194.
Date: 7th September 1985
A Birmingham - Reading DMU (one set formed of class 116 and 101 vehicles, the far set is TS611 presumably 53055 + 59611 + 53116) running in the path of a heavily delayed service from Scotland to the South Coast pauses at Oxford. 7th September 1985. Robert28194.
Date: 1st June 1986
Set number: TS615
M53850 leads TS615 on a Coalville depot open day shuttle at Coalville on 1 June 1986. The Six Bells Junction website lists the other vehicles as 59591 + 53102 with the set on the rear being TS611 (53116 + 59611 + 53055). Stuart Mackay Collection.
Date: 1st June 1986
Set number: TS629
TS629 (presumably 53114 + 59610 + 53079) with another set are seen on a Coalville depot open day shuttle approaching Coalville on 1 June 1986. The are passing another six-car formation which included DMBS M53055 with the WM logo on the van side. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Date: 3rd July 1986
Set number: TS611
One of my favourite morning shots at Stratford-upon-Avon was this taken with the bracket signal prominent in the picture. The DMU is Tyseley set 611 (53116/59611/53055) which stood out amongst the other becauses of a slightly different paint job on the front window surround and the West Midlands PTE logo on the yellow front end. The date was 3 July 1986 with the unit was arriving at Stratford-upon-Avon forming the 06.20 from Birmingham Moor Street. Peter Tandy.
Date: 12th July 1986
Set number: TS611
The unusually liveried class 116 DMS 53116 at the head of set TS611 formed with class 127 TSL 59611 and class 116 DMBS 53055, at Birmingham New Street on 12/Jul/1986. I recall that 53055 at the other end of the set was painted to match and I wondered at the time whether on one or other driving car the livery was inspired by a mistake in the grey band being taken too far beyond the saloon windows and then taken complete with white lining round the cab ends to make the best of a bad job. Having said that, the black cab window surrounds and the fact that the sides of every car and the cab ends were emblazoned with 'WM' logos probably suggests that it was a deliberate attempt at a special livery. Robert Chilton.
Date: 6th September 1986
Class 116 units M53116 + M59611 + M53055 / M53837 + M59604 + M53919 at Tapton Junction, Chesterfield on the 6th September 1986 with a Birmingham New Street-Sheffield football excursion. Kevin Law.
Date: 18th July 1987
A Class 116 / 127 hybrid set (53116 + 59611 + 53055) working a Leicester - Scarborough service at Rotherham Masborough on 18 July 1987. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Date: 1988
Set number: T342
Class 116 DMU set T342 (presumably 53056 + 59673 + 53055) in Birmingham Snow Hill station circa summer 1988. Brian Ward.
Date: 20th April 1988
Set number: T342
Class 116 Derby DMU Tyseley set T342 53056+59673+53055 (DMBS+Class 115 TCL+DMBS) Birmingham New Street with 'Longbridge' on the destination blind, 20-4-88. On Tour With The Class 13 Army.
Date: circa 1988 - 1990
Set number: T342
Tyseley 116/115/116 set T342 - presumably 53056 + 59673 + 53055 - circa 1988-90. John Law.
Date: 30th August 1989
Set number: T342
Set T342 (presumably 53055 + 59673 + 53056) + T313 on a Birmingham New St - Llandudno service passes 150 204 as it departs Deganwy at 12:20 on Wednesday 30th August 1989. Colin Brooks.
Date: 27th October 1989
Set number: T342
Class 116 Derby Suburban unit T342 at Duddeston on 27/10/89, 53056 is closest, presumably with 59673 + 53055. Sparegang.
Date: 3rd March 1990
Set number: T342
Tyseley's set T342 53056 - 59673 - 53055 at Barnt Green heading for Redditch on 3/Mar/1990 (formed 116DMBS - 115TCL - 116DMBS - unusually with a DMBS at both ends). Note that the driver has already altered the destination blind to 'Lichfield City' for the return journey - having just come off the main line, at Barnt Green heading south there is nowhere else to go other than Redditch! Robert Chilton.
Date: 1992
Set number: T327
Class 116 DMU set T327 (presumably 53916 + 59589 + 53055) at Water Orton in 1992. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Date: 17th September 1994
Set number: 117332
By September 1994 any diesel-mechanical unit from the first generation classes were quite unusual on the main line so I was to take a good sunny shot of Tyseley's 117332 passing Catholme, near Wychnor Junction, on the 17th of that month. The depot was really scratching about for serviceable units by this time and the vehicles are believed to be 53116 attached to 53055 + 51144 (all 116s despite the set number). This was an ECS move which was probably on its way to Tyseley from Derby after some attention not possible at the Birmingham facility. Peter Tandy.