Vehicle 50434 / 53434
Class 104
Builder: BRC&W
Layout: Low Density
Length: 57ft
Coupling Code: Blue Square
Coupling Type: Screw
Gangway Type: LMS
Engines: Leyland 150hp
Transmission: Mechanical
Lot Number: 30293
Diagram: 556
Allocations
| Jun-57 | New to | 5A (Crewe North) | |
| Oct-57 | Transferred to | 9A (Longsight) | |
| w/e 01/10/60 | Transferred to | 9D (Buxton) | |
| Sep-63 | Depot code change | 9L | |
| 06/05/73 | Depot code change | BX | |
| 21/02/84 | Withdrawn from | BX (Buxton) | |
| circa Mar-85 | Reinstated | ED (Eastfield) | |
| Oct-85 | Stored | GC | - then reinstated for Summer 1986. |
| Dec-87 | Withdrawn from | ED (Eastfield) |
Notes
3rd May 1985 - Seen in 'Mexican Bean' livery
16th July 1988 - Listed at Thornton Junction Yard
18th February 1989 - Seen at Haymarket depot
1st July 1989 - Seen at Thornton Yard
19th October 1989 - Listed as withdrawn/out of use
12th October 1990 - Listed as stored condemned at Thornton Junction Yard
The vehicle carried the following numbers:
50434 - original number
53434 - from 1983 (53xxx / 54xxx change)
Disposal
Scrapped by MC Metal Processing, Springburn
Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:
| 50434 | 59142 | 50486 | As delivered to 5A - June 1957 | ||||||
| 50434 | 59195 | 50486 | Noted 04/11/68 - at Manchester Piccadilly1 | ||||||
| BN465 | 50434 | 59195 | 50486 | Listed at Buxton - circa Dec-69 | |||||
| 50434 | 59195 | 50486 | Noted 22/12/69 - at Manchester Piccadilly1 | ||||||
| 50434 | 59140 | 50486 | Noted 16/04/73 - in Manchester Piccadilly2 | ||||||
| 50434 | 59134 | 50486 | Noted 28/08/75 - on Longsight depot2 | ||||||
| 50434 | 59141 | 50481 | Noted 04/01/78 | ||||||
| BX487 | 50434 | 59132 | 50424 | Noted 31/05/19823 | |||||
| BX487 | 50434 | 59132 | 50424 | Noted 19/07/1982 - Manchester Picc. Blue/Grey livery3 | |||||
| BX487 | 50434 | 59132 | 50424 | Noted circa 09/19823 | |||||
| BX487 | 50434 | 59132 | 50424 | Noted circa 12/19823 | |||||
| BX487 | 50434 | 59207 | 50424 | Noted 19/02/19833 | |||||
| 104325 | 53434 | 53424 | Formed May 1985 | ||||||
| 104325 | 53434 | 53424 | Noted 3rd May 1985 | ||||||
| 104325 | 53434 | 53424 | Listed at Eastfield - Summer 1986 | ||||||
| 104325 | 53434 | 53424 | Noted 25/06/1986 - Specially painted unit for Oban to Crianlarich shuttle seen at Oban | ||||||
| 104325 | 53434 | 53424 | Listed at Eastfield - August 1986 | ||||||
| 53434 | 53424 | Noted 11/08/86 | |||||||
| 104325 | 53434 | 53424 | Listed at ED - 23/03/87 | ||||||
| 104325 | 53434 | 53424 | Noted circa 05/19873 | ||||||
| 53434 | 53424 | Noted 16th May 1987 | |||||||
| 53434 | 53424 | Listed at ED - 1st January 1988 |
Formation Sources
1: Leonard Rogers
2: Gerald Brown
3: Eddie Knorn
Images:
1st September 1970
Set number: BN465
Class 104 DMU set BN465 (probably with 50434 closest) in Buxton station on 1 September 1970. An image from the Jim Freebury Railway Slide Collection. David Page.
August 1975
A three-car Class 104 seen at Manchester Piccadilly in August 1975, the closest vehicle appears to be M50434. Hugh Llewelyn.
1983
Set number: BX487
A Manchester - Buxton evening peak train passes Ardwick in 1983. The Class 104 set is formed 50434 + 59207 + 50424. Tony Walmsley.
20th November 1983
Set number: BX487
Class 104 DMU set BX487 (DMBS M53434 nearest camera, presumably with 59207 + 53424) waits at Manchester Piccadilly with a train for Buxton - 20/11/1983. 53A Models of Hull Collection.
1st April 1984
Set number: BX486
53434 is closest in blue-grey liveried set BX486 is seen at Manchester Piccadilly on the 1st April 1984. Dennis Taylor.
30th January 1985
Class 104 DMU DMBS 53434 in Eastfield depot on 30/1/85. The Manchester PTE logo has been replaced with Scotrail branding, it would spend a brief spell in traffic before being repainted as the 'Mexican Bean'. Spannerman37025.
2nd May 1985
Set number: 104325
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.
10th May 1985
Set number: 104325
Mexican Bean 104 325 ((53434 + 53424) arrives at Oban during the Oban Railfair on 10-5-85. Spannerman37025.
16th May 1985
Set number: 104325
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.
1st June 1985
Set number: 104325
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.
1985
Set number: 104325
The Class 104 "Mexican Bean" 53434 + 53424 seen on Eastfield depot in 1985. Mike Bunker.
1st June 1985
Set number: 104325
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.
circa 1985
Set number: 104325
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.
1985
Set number: 104325
The 'Mexican Bean' 53434 + 53424 departs from Oban sometime in 1985. David Rhodes.
2nd July 1985
Set number: 104325
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.
16th July 1985
Set number: 104325
104 325 (53434 + 53424) at Eastfield, 16-7-85. Spannerman37025.
9th March 1986
Set number: 104325
The "Mexican Bean", Class 104 vehicles 53434 + 53424, on Eastfield Depot on 9 March 1986. Stuart Mackay Collection.
30th April 1986
Set number: 104325
"Mexican Bean" set 104 325 (53434 / 53424) in Eastfield depot, 30th April 1986. Neil Cannon.
2nd May 1986
Set number: 104325
The 'Mexican Bean' 104 325 (53434 + 53424) at Eastfield TMD 2-5-86. Spannerman37025.
circa summer 1986
The Class 104 "Mexican Bean" (53434 + 53424) on the rear of a Glasgow-Oban service circa summer 1986. It travelled back and forward this way to Eastfield for servicing. Brian Ward.
1987
Set number: 104325
The "Mexican Bean" 53434 + 53424 at Oban sometime in 1987. Robert Forsythe.
16th June 1987
Set number: 104325
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.
30th August 1987
Set number: 104325
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.
The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:
Date: 23rd July 1983
A freshly painted Class 104 (with roof vents removed) leads a six-car DMU formation past Falsgrave signal box into Scarborough on Saturday 23 July 1983. The vehicles are M53431 + M59137 + M53496 / M53424 + M59207 + M53434. Note the 1Z11 in the centre cab window, this is thought to be a BR merrymaker from Buxton. Brian Daniels.
Date: circa 1984
Set number: BX486
Class 104s making some smoke at Buxton, circa 1984. On the right is blue grey set BX486 formed of 53424 + 59207 + 53434, the two power cars would later form the 'Mexican Bean'. Ian Dinmore/railarchive.org.uk.
Date: 1st April 1984
Set number: BX486
Blue-grey liveried set BX486 arrives into Manchester Piccadilly on the 1st April 1984. The formation is believed to be 53424 + 59207 + 53434. Dennis Taylor.
Date: 1st June 1985
Set number: 104325
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.
Date: 1985
Set number: 104325
The "Mexican Bean" Sc53424 + Sc53434 at Cowlairs in 1985. Mike Bunker.
Date: 1985
Set number: 104325
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.
Date: 10th June 1985
Set number: 104325
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.
Date: 2nd July 1985
Set number: 104325
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.
Date: August 1985
Set number: 104325
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.
Date: 1985
Set number: 104325
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.
Date: 29th September 1985
Class 104 BRC&W 2-car DMU 104 325 (53424 + 53434) in Mexican Bean livery, stabled at Oban circa 29-9-85. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.
Date: October 1985
Set number: 104325
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.
Date: late 1985 / early 1986
Set number: 104325
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.
Date: circa May 1986
Set number: 104325
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.
Date: 9th June 1986
Set number: 104325
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.
Date: 25th June 1986
Set number: 104325
The "Mexican Bean" 104 325 (53424 + 53434) in Oban station on 25 June 1986. George Woods.
Date: circa summer 1986
Set number: 104325
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.
Date: 6th August 1986
Set number: 104325
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.
Date: 6th August 1986
Set number: 104325
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.
Date: 11th August 1986
Set number: 104325
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.
Date: 1987
Set number: 104325
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.
Date: 30th August 1987
Set number: 104325
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.
Date: 24th September 1987
Set number: 104325
The Class 104 "Mexican Bean", formed 53424 + 53434, in Crianlarich station on 24 September 1987. George Woods.
Date: 8th December 1990
Set number: 104325
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.