Vehicle 50979
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
| Aug-59 | New to | Chaddesden | - stabled pending allocation |
| 12/09/59 | Transferred to | 26A (Newton Heath) | |
| 4w/e 30/01/60 | Transferred to | 14E (Bedford) | |
| 4w/e 30/12/61 | Transferred to | 18A (Toton) | |
| 4w/e 02/06/62 | Transferred to | 24F (Fleetwood) | |
| 4w/e 30/09/62 | Transferred to | 26A (Newton Heath) | |
| 4w/e 30/03/63 | Transferred to | 9D (Buxton) | |
| Sep-63 | Depot code change | 9L | |
| w/e 12/09/64 | Transferred to | 9D (Newton Heath) | |
| 4w/e 04/02/67 | Transferred to | 8J (Allerton) | |
| 3w/e 01/07/67 | Transferred to | 10E (Accrington) | |
| 12/09/71 | Withdrawn from | 10E (Accrington) |
Disposal
Scrapped by BR, Derby C&W Works
Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:
| 50979 | 56262 | As delivered to Chaddesden - August 1959 - pending allocation |
Images:
Unknown date
A 2-car 108 at Cardington Station (Bedford - Hitchin line), with M50979 nearest at the rear of the train. Date unknown, it was allocated to Bedford in 1960-1961. Photo by Jim Lawrence. Ian McDonald Collection.
June 1970
Set number: AC350
A Class 108 Derby Lightweight power trailer set in Windermere station in June 1970. The set number in the cab window could be AC350 (allocated to Accrington) and the DMBS is M50979, which would be withdrawn just over a year later. Mel Smith.
The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:
Date: 18th September 1961
M56262 + M50979 are seen departing Bedford with the 12.20pm service to Hitchin on 18 September 1961. Michael Mensing.
Date: 18th September 1961
A (blue square) Derby Lightweight twin (M56262 seems to be the closest vehicle, if so the DMBS is 50979) after arrival at Bedford Midland Road on 19 September 1961. It will depart on the 10.45am to Hitchin. Michael Mensing.
Date: 19th September 1961
A (blue square) Derby Lightweight twin (M56262 seems to be the DTCL which was paired with 50979) working the 10.45am Bedford Midland Road to Hitchin on 19 September 1961. Taken south of Bedford on the crossing to the singled line. Michael Mensing.
Date: circa early 1962
A London Midland Region publicity image (negative D4878) showing a two-car Blue Square Derby Lightweight unit at Syston on the Midland Main Line. Closest is M56262, presumably paired with original partner M50979. The pair had a nomadic existence in their early years being allocated to Newton Heath, Bedford, Toton, Fleetwood, Newton Heath again then Buxton - all the first four years! The location suggests it was taken during its time at Toton which was December 1961 to May 1962. British Railways.