Vehicle 50304 / 53304
Class 101
Builder: Met-Camm
Layout: Low-Density
Length: 57ft
Coupling Code: Blue Square
Coupling Type: Screw
Gangway Type: LMS
Engines: AEC 150 hp / Leyland 150hp
Transmission: Mechanical
Lot Number: 30275
Diagram: 523
Allocations
| Feb-58 | New to | 5D (Cockshute) | |
| Apr-58 | Transferred to | 18A (Toton) | |
| May-58 | Transferred to | 3E (Monument Lane) | |
| 20/06/60 | Depot code change | 21E | |
| Sep-63 | Depot code change | 2H | |
| w/e 07/01/67 | Transferred to | 2A (Tyseley) | |
| May-73 | Depot code change | TS | |
| 3w/e 19/05/79 | Transferred to | BR (Bristol Bath Road) | |
| 16/05/82 | Transferred to | CF (Cardiff Canton) | |
| 08/03/87 | Transferred to | LE (Swansea Landore) | |
| 06/07/87 | Stored U. | ||
| Jul-87 | Withdrawn from | LE (Swansea Landore) |
The vehicle carried the following numbers:
50304 - original number
53304 - from Jul-83 (53xxx / 54xxx change)
Modifications
circa Jul-82 - Headlamp fitted
Refurbished
At Derby Works dated 08/11/1976 released in white/blue stripe liveryDisposal
Scrapped by Mayer Newman, Snailwell
Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:
| 50304 | 59115 | 50322 | As delivered to 5D - February 1958 | ||||||
| 50304 | 59115 | 50338 | Noted circa Nov-67 - in plain blue with full yellow ends | ||||||
| 50304 | 59115 | 50338 | Noted 01/04/69 - in Birmingham New Street1 | ||||||
| 50304 | 59115 | 50338 | Noted 19/04/1969 - R.C.T.S. (West Midlands Branch) The Forester Railtour. 50338 had yellow cab doors. | ||||||
| 50304 | 59115 | 50338 | Noted 05/11/70 - at Birmingham New Street1 | ||||||
| 50304 | 59115 | 50338 | Noted 21/11/70 - R.C.T.S. The Cotswold Edge Railtour | ||||||
| 50304 | 59115 | 50338 | Noted 05/06/72 - in Birmingham New Street1 | ||||||
| 50304 | 59115 | 50338 | Noted 25/05/1974 - at Birmingham New Street2 | ||||||
| B805 | 50304 | 59122 | 50329 | Noted 27/02/1980 - At Bristol Temple Meads P113 | |||||
| B805 | 50304 | 59122 | 50329 | Listed at BR - 03/03/80 | |||||
| C813 | 50304 | 59122 | 50329 | Formation change - circa Aug-82 | |||||
| C813 | 50304 | 59122 | 50329 | Listed at CF - 15/12/1982 | |||||
| C813 | 53304 | 53329 | Noted circa 04/19834 | ||||||
| C813 | 53304 | 59122 | 53329 | Noted 11/07/84 - on 9:45 Pembroke Dock - Swansea | |||||
| C813 | 53304 | 59122 | 53329 | Listed at CF - 01/01/85 | |||||
| C813 | 53304 | 59122 | 53329 | Noted 20/11/19854 | |||||
| 53304 | 59122 | 53329 | Noted 10/05/86 - on 16:15 Swansea - Chester5 | ||||||
| C813 | 53304 | 59122 | 53329 | Listed at Cardiff (Canton) - Summer 1986 | |||||
| 813 | 53304 | 59122 | 53329 | Transfer to LE - 08/03/87 - from CF |
Formation Sources
1: Leonard Rogers
2: Jeremy Goodyear
3: Shayne Lewis
4: Eddie Knorn
5: Martin Baumann
Images:
23rd November 1963
A three-car Met-Camm DMU is seen passing the motor factory at Canley (Coventry) on 23 November 1963. The DMBS appears to be M50304, which was allocated to Monument Lane at the time. Michael Mensing.
19th April 1969
A Met-Camm DMU formed M50304 + 59115 + 50338 with RCTS “The Forester" railtour at Drakelow on the Leicester Goods Line on 19 April 1969. The headboard notes it was the 200th RCTS tour, which ran from Coventry to the Nottingham / Leicester area. Stuart Mackay Collection.
4th March 1970
Set number: TY401
M50304 is at the front of set TY401 seen leaving Shenstone with the 4.47pm Lichfield City - Birmingham New Street service on 4 March 1970. Michael Mensing.
26th July 1975
Set number: TS401
A class 101 Met Cam dmu (TS401, M50304 closest) waits at Birmingham Moor Street with a service for Stratford upon Avon on 26/7/1975. Stephen Burdett.
summer 1979
Set number: B805
There were no details with this negative, showing Class 101 DMU set B805 (W50304 + W59122 and presumably W50329). The vehicles were transferred from Tyseley to Bristol in May 1979, and were in Blue / Grey by May 1980, so this is likely summer 1979. Stuart Mackay Collection.
May 1980
Set number: B805
Class 101 DMU set B805 (presumably 50304 + 59122 + 50329) arrives into Avoncliff station during May 1980. Michael Mensing.
11th July 1984
Set number: C813
Class 101 Metro Cammell 3-car DMU 53304 + 59122 + 53329 at Pembroke Dock with the 9-45 to Swansea on 11-7-84. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.
8th November 1986
Set number: C813
Class 101 DMU set C813 (53304 and presumably 59122 + 53329) stands at Cardiff Central working the 13:35 service from Chepstow on 8 November 1986. Brian Creasey.
The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:
Date: 31st July 1979
Set number: B805
Refurbished Class 101 Metro-Cammel unit B805 (50329-59122-50304) forming a Cheltenham-Swindon service leaving Gloucester on Tuesday 31st July 1979. It is plainly evident here why the white and blue band livery for refurbished DMUs was a short-lived concept and application, it proving impossible to maintain them in a presentable condition. This particular unit, presumably one of the earlier ones to be so painted, was noted during the following April wearing the BR standard blue and grey livery. Gordon Edgar.
Date: 13th August 1979
Set number: B805
Class 101 DMU set B805 (W50329 + W59122 + W50304) with a Class 116 on the rear at Newport on 13 August 1979. Bristol T.M. is on the destination blind. Brian Daniels.
Date: 11th July 1984
Set number: C813
Class 101 Metro Cammell 3-car DMU 53329 + 59122 + 53304 at Whitland with the 8-35 to Pemrboke Dock on 11-7-84. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.
Date: 11th July 1984
Set number: C813
Class 101 Metro Cammell 3-car DMU 53329 + 59122 + 53304 Pembroke Dock with the 9-45 to on Swansea 11-7-84. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.