Sign In

Vehicle 50956 / 53956 / 977811

Class 108

Builder: BR Derby Works
Layout: Low Density
Length: 57ft
Coupling Code: Blue Square
Coupling Type: Screw
Gangway Type: LMS
Engines: Leyland 150hp
Transmission: Mechanical
Lot Number: 30465
Diagram: 543

Allocations

14/03/59	New to	5B (Crewe South)
Apr-59	Transferred to	3C (Ryecroft)
Jun-59	Transferred to	9G (Reddish)
4w/e 30/01/60	Transferred to	14A (Cricklewood)
4w/e 27/02/60	Transferred to	9E (Trafford Park)
4w/e 01/06/63	Transferred to	9A (Longsight)
3w/e 31/10/65	Transferred to	9D (Newton Heath)
w/e 06/05/67	Transferred to	9A (Longsight)
4w/e 05/04/69	Transferred to	12A (Carlisle Kingmoor)
06/05/73	Depot code change	KM
Jan-75	Depot code change	KD
15/05/88	Transferred to	HT (Heaton)
29/09/91	Transferred to	LO (Longsight) PLOX
30/09/92	Withdrawn from	LO (Longsight) RCLO
30/09/92	To departmental stock	HT (Heaton)
2w/e 14/10/95	Withdrawn

The vehicle carried the following numbers:

50956 - original number
53956 - from Jun-83 (53xxx / 54xxx change)
977811 - from Oct-92 (departmental stock)

Department Use as ADB977811

Sandite / Route Learner From 10/92 to 10/95. Carried set number LO907

Modifications

circa Jul-72 - AWS fitted

Disposal

Scrapped by Booth Roe Metals, Rotherham

Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:

	50956	56239	As delivered to 5B - 14th March 1959
	50956	56239	Transfer to 3C - Apr-59
	50956	56228	Noted 01/01/68 - in Manchester Piccadilly¹
	50956	56246	Noted 14/08/70 - at Carlisle²
	50956	56246	Noted 16/08/70 - at Kingmoor¹
	50956	56238	Noted 25/08/1973 - at Kingmoor³
	50956	56241	Noted 07/04/1976 - at Arnside⁴
	50956	56241	Noted 06/09/76 - in Carlisle Citadel²
	50956	56238	Noted 31/07/78 - at Windermere working with 50965 + 56248 / 50968 + 56251
	50956	56246	Listed at KD - circa Aug-80
	50956	56246	Noted 16/01/1982⁵
	50956	56238	Noted circa 03/1982⁵
	53956	54238	Listed at KD - 01/01/85
	53956	54238	Listed at Carlisle Kingmoor - Summer 1986
	53956	54238	Noted 01/11/1986⁵
	53956	54238	Noted 02/12/87 - at Morecambe
	53956	54238	Listed at KD - circa Jan-88
	53956	54238	Noted 16/07/88 - on 16:30 Newcastle - Carlisle service⁶
	53956	54238	Noted 03/08/88⁶
	53956	54238	Noted 10/09/88 - on 15:17 Newcastle - Carlisle service⁶
	53956	54238	Listed at HT - Feb-89
	53956	54238	Noted 18/03/89 - on 15:04 Gateshead Metro Centre - Sunderland service⁶
	53956	54238	Noted 18/03/89 - on 16:45 Newcastle - Sunderland - service⁶
	53956	54238	Noted 25/03/89 - on 16:30 Newcastle - Carlisle service⁶
	53956	54238	Noted 17/04/89 - on 19:12 Newcastle - Carlisle service⁶
	53956	54238	Noted 15/05/89 - on 19:12 Newcastle - Carlisle service⁶
	53956	54238	Noted 20/05/89 - on 15:14 Newcastle - Carlisle service⁶
	53956	54238	Noted 31/05/89 - on 19:12 Newcastle - Carlisle service⁶
	53956	54238	Noted 18/06/89 - on 17:15 Newcastle - Middlesbrough service⁶
	53956	54238	Noted 18/06/89 - on 19:00 Middlesbrough - Newcastle service⁶
	53956	54238	Noted 19/07/89 - on 16:47 Hexham - Sunderland service⁶
	53956	54238	Noted 20/07/89 - on 07:26 Seaham - Newcastle⁶
	53956	54238	Noted 12/08/89 - on 15:14 Newcastle - Carlisle service⁶
	53956	54238	Noted 21/08/89 - on 14:15 Carlisle - Barrow-in-Furness with 53953 + 54262 and 53957 + 54236⁶
	53956	54238	Noted 09/09/89 - on 06:59 Carlisle - Newcastle service with 53954 + 54244⁶
	53956	54238	Noted 13/10/89 - on 07:26 Seaham - Newcastle⁶
	53956	54238	Noted 26/03/90 - on 07:26 Seaham - Newcastle⁶
	53956	54238	Noted 29/03/90 - on 07:26 Seaham - Newcastle⁶
	53956	54238	Noted 18/04/90 - on 06:50 Seaham - Newcastle⁶
	53956	54238	Noted 18/06/90 - on 14:15 Carlisle - Barrow-in-Furness with 53950 + 54239⁶
	53956	54238	Noted 18/06/90 - on 10:23 Barrow-in-Furness - Carlisle⁶
	53956	54238	Noted 24/10/90 - on 09:10 Newcastle - Barrow-in-Furness with 53974 + 54504⁶
	53956	54238	Noted circa 02/1991⁵
HT56	53956	54238	Listed at HT - Jul-91
HT56	53956	54238	Listed at HT - Aug-91
LO296	53956	54238	Listed at LO - Dec-91
LO296	53956	54238	Listed at LO - 02/07/92
LO296	53956	54238	Listed at LO - 24/09/92
LO903	977750	977811	Noted 30/01/93 - at Holbeck
907	977810	977811	Listed at HT - 08/11/93 - sandite

Formation Sources
1: Leonard Rogers
2: Gerald Brown
3: Jeremy Goodyear
4: Peter Wallwork
5: Eddie Knorn
6: Graeme Phillips

Images:

1974

A Class 108 DMU at Seascale, Cumbria in 1974. These Class 108 power-trailer sets were the mainstay of Cumbrian Coast services for many years, finally replaced in late 1991. Here, in blue livery, with headcode box and carrying a tail lamp, M50956 is seen departing on the rear of a Carlisle-Barrow-in-Furness service. Graeme Phillips Collection.

31st July 1978

M50956 at the head of M56238, M50965, M56248, M50968 and M56251 at Windermere on the 31st July 1978. Robert Frise.

1988

A two-car Class 108 DMU arrives at Attenborough sometime in 1988. The condition on the DMBS cab front and the unusual sizes/locations of the the warning flashes suggests it is 53956 - presumably with 54238. Andrew Walker.

18th June 1989

53956 and 54238 are seen approaching Seaham station with the SuO 17:15 Newcastle - Middlesbrough on 18/6/89. Graeme Phillips.

16th May 1992

Set number: LO296

A Class 108 at Moss Lane Junction, Farington (Ormskirk Line). It was a return to the old order on Preston to Ormskirk services on May 16th 1992, as a Class 108 returned to its former stamping ground due to the non-availability of a Class 142 Pacer. LO296, (53956 + 54238) is seen topping the climb from the WCML at Farington Curve Junction as it approaches the site of the former Moss Lane Junction. To the right of the unit a double track connection ran towards Lostock Hall enabling trains from East Lancashire to access Ormskirk and Liverpool. It was closed in 1972. Martyn Hilbert.

16th May 1992

Set number: LO296

With the former Jubilee Mill in the background, Class 108 set LO296 (53956 & 54238) departs from Croston whilst working the 15.08 Ormskirk to Preston on May 16th 1992. Once a familiar sight on these services, this was probably the last visit of a Derby built class 108 to the line. In the intervening years Jubilee Mill has been demolished and a housing development now covers the site. Martyn Hilbert.

16th May 1992

Set number: LO296

Standing-in for a failed Class 142 Pacer, the old order returned to the Ormskirk line for possibly the last time on May 16th 1992. A scabby looking Class 108 formed of cars 53956 & 54238 (LO296) was passing through the long-closed platforms at Midge Hall whilst working the 12.23 Preston to Ormskirk service. Martyn Hilbert.

16th May 1992

Set number: LO296

With Midge Hall in the far distance, a Class 108 two-car DMU formed of cars 53956 & 54238, was passing the Oil Seed Rape at Cocker Bar with the 16.03 Preston to Ormskirk service on May 16th 1992. Martyn Hilbert.

3rd September 1993

Set number: LO907

Class 960 (ex 108) DMU running ECS north at Egginton on the Birmingham to Derby line on 3 September 1993. It was probably destined for Derby Etches Park Depot (although it was allocated to Heaton depot that year). Adrian Nicholls.

10th June 1994

Set number: LO907

977811 + 977812 + 53305 + 51246 in York station on June 10, 1994. The cab windows of the Class 108 has what may read as "Regional Road Learning Saloon". Hamish Stevenson.

3rd November 1995

Set number: LO907

Half of Longsight based Sandite & route learning unit no. LO907, vehicle no. 977811 formerly DMBS 53956/50956 is seen languishing at C.F. Booths scrapyard on 03/Nov/1995. It was eventually scrapped in July 1996. Robert Chilton.

1996

Set number: LO907

The rear end of vehicle 977811 of set LO907, formerly 53956/50956. The gangway connection was ripped off when the next vehicle was moved while only connected by the gangway connection securing clamps! To the immediate left is 977815, formerly DMCL 52059. Robert Chilton.

Unknown date

Set number: LO907

977811, part of sandite set LO907, at CF Booths circa early 1996. Painted on the bodyside is "sold, do not remove parts" and on the bogie "SVR" Robert Frise Collection.

11th May 1996

The rear of Sandite / Route Learner 977811 (ex-53956) at Booths scrap yard, Rotherham on 11th May 1996. S Gaskell.

11th May 1996

Set number: LO907

977811 (ex-50956) awaiting disposal at Booths of Rotherham, 11th May 1996. S Gaskell.

17th July 1996

Set number: LO907

977811 from set LO907 seen at CF Booths, Rotherham. To the right is 977836. 17th July 1996. Nicholas Youngman.

The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:

Date: unknown

Class 108 DMU (54238 and presumably 53956) is standing alongside a Pacer unit at Barrow in Furness on 20 October 1990 just before it leaves the station via the crossover in the foreground. Another Class 108 is on the left. The day was marked by a number of unusual locomotive-hauled services run in connection with a Network North-West day and 26 025 + 31 434 had just left the station and 20 057 + 20 140 + 31 461 were next to visit on a return trip from Manchester Victoria. Peter Tandy.

Date: 2nd December 1987

M54238 and M53956 at Morecambe on 02-12-87. Vincent Haworth.

Date: 18th June 1989

A Class 108 formed of 54238 and 53956 seen at Seaham with the SuO 17:15 Newcastle - Middlesbrough on 18/06/89. Graeme Phillips.

Date: 16th May 1992

Set number: LO296

Substituting for the non-availablity of a class 142, a Class 108 2-Car DMU returned to its old stamping ground on 16th May 1992. With car 54238 leading, 53956 behing, the 08.21 Ormskirk to Preston Service has just returned the single-line token at Midge Hall signalbox. The unit is about to pass through the derelict platforms of the former station, closed in 1961. This was possibly the last occasion when a Class 108 worked along here - possibly also the last visit of a first generation DMU. Martyn Hilbert.

Date: 16th May 1992

Set number: LO296

On possibly the last occasion that a first generation DMU worked along the Preston to Ormskirk line, a Class 108 with car 54238 trailing and DMBS 53956 leading has just collected the token from the signalman at Midge Hall, whilst working from Preston to Ormskirk on May 16th 1992. The unit was deputising for a failed Class 142 Pacer. Martyn Hilbert.

Date: 16th May 1992

Set number: LO296

Deputising for a failed Class 142 Pacer, the old order is restored probably for the last time on May 16th 1992, as a worn-looking Class 108 was working the Preston to Ormskirk services. Set LO296 formed of cars 54238 & 53956 is seen here approaching the token exchange at Midge Hall with the 09.38 Ormskirk to Preston. In the foreground are the remains of the pointwork where the double line, kept in use from Farington Curve Junction to Midge Hall until 1983, ended. The turnout onto the single line had by this date been replaced with plain rail. The worn-out disused line back towards Farington was kept in-situ for a number of years but was progressively recovered between 1988 & 1992. Martyn Hilbert.

Date: 30th January 1993

Set number: LO903

Sandite vehicles 977750 + 977811 at Holbeck on January 30, 1993. Stuart Mackay Collection.

Date: 1996

Set number: LO907

Vehicle no. 977810 formerly DMBS 51901 at C.F. Booths scrapyard in mid-1996. The damage to the cab was caused by the bucket arm of a large excavator being used to move the vehicle. On the far right is it's latter-day partner in Sandite set LO907, 977811. Robert Chilton.

Date: 1996

Set number: LO910

Vehicle no. 977836 formerly DMBS 53941/50941 is seen languishing at C.F. Booths scrapyard in mid-1996 in the company of other ex-Sandite vehicles. On the far left is 977811, formerly 53956/50956. Robert Chilton.

➤