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Vehicle 50505 / 53505

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: 30294
Diagram: 558

Allocations

w/e 05/10/57	New to	9A (Longsight)
Dec-57	Transferred to	5D (Cockshute)
3w/e 30/04/66	Transferred to	9A (Longsight)
4w/e 04/02/67	Transferred to	9D (Newton Heath)
May-73	Depot code change	NH
circa Dec-83	Withdrawn from	NH (Newton Heath)
06/01/84	Reinstated	AY (Ayr)	- cover for AY fire damaged vehicles
Feb-87	Stored U.	FY (Falkland Yard)
Mar-87	Withdrawn from	AY (Ayr)	- also noted as 26/04/88

Notes

11th January 1984 - Seen still carrying yellow first-class band in plain blue livery
20th February 1984 - Seen still carrying yellow first-class band in plain blue livery
14th May 1984 - Seen in blue/grey livery
12th February 1987 - Seen at Falkland Yard
29th April 1987 - Seen at Falkland Yard
1st January 1988 - At Falkland Yard

The vehicle carried the following numbers:

50505 - original number
53505 - from Jan-84 (53xxx / 54xxx change)

Modifications

circa Dec-72 - AWS fitted

Disposal

Scrapped by Mayer Newman, Snailwell

Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:

	50453	59161	50505	As delivered to 9A - w/e 05/10/57
	50453	59161	50505	Noted 20/07/68 - in Manchester Victoria¹
	50453	59161	50505	Noted 15/08/70 - at Chester²
	50453	59161	50505	Noted 04/06/71 - at Manchester Piccadilly¹
	50453	59161	50505	Noted circa 05/1973 - listed at Bletchley on loan³
	50453	59161	50505	Noted 08/04/1976 - at Manchester Victoria ⁴
	50453	59161	50505	Noted 10/09/76 - on Newton Heath depot²
	50505	59161	50453	Noted circa 01/1977 - Working 09.56 Manchester Vic to Holyhead with 50763 - 50796 (leading unit) and 56248 - 50965 (trailing unit)³
	50453	59161	50505	Noted 14/02/81
	50423	59161	50505	Noted 14th February 1981 - part of 6-car Rossendale Farewell special
	50453	59161	50505	Noted 14/02/1981 - David Isherwood's The Rossendale Farewell Railtour 50794-59207-50761+50453-59161-50505
NH445	50452	59186	50505	Noted circa 10/1982³
	50452	59186	50505	Noted 13/10/1982 - Worked 06.01 Blackpool to Manchester Victoria³
	50452	50505		Noted circa 03/1983³
	51234	59783	53505	Noted 11th January 1984
	53207	54408	53505	Noted 20th February 1984
104450	53452	59225	53505	Noted 14th May 1984
104450	53452	59784	53505	Listed at AY - 17/06/84
104450	53452	59786	53505	Noted 4th August 1984
104450	53452	59225	53505	Listed at AY - 25/03/85
	51993	59786	53505	Noted circa 02/1986³
107438	53505	59215	52030	Noted 23/03/86
	53505	59215	52030	Noted 1st April 1986
	53505	59215	52030	Noted 2nd April 1986
104450	53452	59225	53505	Listed at Ayr - Summer 1986
105550	53377	59805	53505	Formed at AY circa Jul-86
	53377	59805	53505	Noted 9th July 1986
550	53377	59805	53505	Listed at Ayr - August 1986
550	53377	59805	53505	Noted 8th August 1986
	53377	59805	53505	Noted 28th August 1986
104451	53473	59559	53505	Formation change - circa Nov-86 - 53505 replaces 53525
107427	51987	59063	53505	Formation change - circa Dec-86

Formation Sources
1: Leonard Rogers
2: Gerald Brown
3: Eddie Knorn
4: Peter Wallwork

Images:

22nd August 1959

A three-car BRCW set enters Spon Lane station on August 22, 1959, led by M50505. Michael Mensing.

June 1961

M50505 leads a BRC&W triple DMU set at Soho, Birmingham, on a Stoke-on-Trent service in early June 1961. Michael Mensing.

14th February 1981

The Rossendale Farewell Railtour at Rawtenstall on 14 February 1981, formed of M50505 + M59161 + M50453 and M50761 + 59207 + M50794. Harvey Scowcroft / Nigel Valentine Collection.

14th February 1981

Billed as the last BR train to run from Bury to Rawtenstall, curious locals have come out to witness the passage of the six-car DMU awaiting to proceed past Ramsbottom on February 14th 1981. With Class 104 Driving Motor Composite M50505 leading, the train crew are heading for the still extant signalbox to open the level crossing gates on Bridge Street. The last Coal train to Rawtenstall had traversed the line in December 1980. The home signal on its bracket looked faded and woebegone. Running from Manchester Victoria at 11.05, the train was formed of a Class 104 and a Class 105 power-twin that had a centre trailer car inserted specially for the tour. This would have been the first passenger carrying DMU to visit the line since regular passenger services had been withdrawn in June 1972. Harvey Scowcroft / Nigel Valentine Collection.

14th February 1981

M50505 at the front of the Rossendale Farewell railtour in Bury Bolton Street station on 14 February 1981. Harvey Scowcroft / Nigel Valentine Collection.

14th February 1981

The Rossendale Farewell Railtour passing through Bury Knowsley Street on 14 February 1981, formed of M50505 + M59161 + M50453 and M50761 + 59207 + M50794. Harvey Scowcroft / Nigel Valentine Collection.

14th February 1981

Billed as the last BR train to run from Bury to Rawtenstall, Curious locals have come out to witness the passage of the six-car DMU awaiting to proceed past Ramsbottom on February 14th 1981. With Class 104 Driving Motor Composite M50505 leading, the train crew are heading for the still extant signalbox to open the level crossing gates on Bridge Street. The last Coal train to Rawtenstall had traversed the line in December 1980. The home signal on its bracket looked faded and woebegone. Running from Manchester Victoria at 11.05, the train was formed of a Class 104 and a Class 105 power-twin that had a centre trailer car inserted specially for the tour. The individual cars were M50505, M59161, M50453 + M50761, 59207, M50794. This would have been the first passenger carrying DMU to visit the line since regular passenger services had been withdrawn in June 1972. Martyn Hilbert.

14th February 1981

Billed as the 'Last BR Train' along the Bury to Rawtenstall line, curious locals came out in force to witness the passage of 'The Rossendale Farewell' at Ramsbottom on February 14th 1981. Class 104 DMCL M50505 was leading the six-car DMU formation slowly crossing over Bridge Street. Martyn Hilbert.

14th February 1981

On 14 February 1981, David Isherwood organised "The Rossendale Farewell" rail tour from Manchester to commemorate the ending of all services from Bury to Rawtenstall. BRCW class 104 car M50505 was the car to almost touch the buffers at Rawtenstall. The full formation was M50505 + M59161 + M50453 and M50761 + M59207 + M50794. Jeremy Chapter.

14th February 1981

Class 104 Rawtenstall 14 Feb 1981. The Rossendale Farewell Railtour ran from Manchester Victoria to Rawtenstall and back. Billed as the last train along the branch the only sections covered which aren't still regularly available are the curves at Castleford and the short section from there to Heywood, plus the flat crossing in Bury which has been replaced by the "ski slope" bridge. Here we are at the end of the line and another view which looks much better today. It's not often you can say that about railway locations. The formation was 50505/59161/50453 + 50761/59207/50794. Alistair Ness.

14th February 1981

On 14 February 1981, David Isherwood organised "The Rossendale Farewell" rail tour which made two trips from Manchester to commemorate the ending of all services from Bury to Rawtenstall. BRCW class 104 car M50505 is the leading car. Jeremy Chapter.

January 1984

Set number: 104

Ayr Variety. BRCW Class 104 DMC at Ayr with M53505 leading a six car lash up, typical of the times. Despite a 'Carnforth' destination screen the train is heading for Glasgow Central! The imposing building in the background is the Station Hotel. Post closure, this building was allowed to go to rack and ruin. Its condition in 2019 forced temporary closure of the through roads to Girvan and Stranraer for a period of time and severly restricted operations in the rest of the station. January 1984. alicia hartman.

January 1984

Ayr Variety. Looking north and BRCW Class 104 DMC M53505 leads six car lash up departing for Glasgow Central. The first class yellow cantrail stripe is visible. It is departing Platform 2 - the platforms have been shortened in preparation for the Ayrshire Electrification Scheme. Ayr No.1 Signal Box is still extant along with working semaphores - but not for much longer. The connection to the doomed Kyle Street DMU Sidings is seen on the far left. January 1984. alicia hartman.

18th February 1984

Set number: 104

Misdirected. BRCW Class 104 M53505 at Ayr leading a lash up for Glasgow Central. Formerly a DMC, the first class yellow cantrail stripe is still visible. It is waiting to depart from Platform 2 with the Station Hotel in the background. Saturday 18 February 1984. alicia hartman.

18th February 1984

Set number: 104

Misdirected. BRCW Class 104 DMC M53505 leads a six car lash up out of the bay platforms at Ayr. Railcar suggests this was one of a number of DMU vehicles transferred to Ayr after the Depot fire. Despite the Lancashire destination screen, the train is heading north to Glasgow Central! Saturday 18 February 1984. alicia hartman.

August 1985

Set number: 104450

104450 (with presumably 53505 closest) at Haymarket depot with an open day shuttle for the 'ScotRail Festival' in August 1985. S Saunders.

1986

Set number: 104450

BRC&W DMS SC53505 leads a hybrid set out of Edinburgh Waverley in 1986. S Saunders.

1986

Set number: 104450

BRC&W DMS SC53505 on the rear of a hybrid set arriving into Edinburgh Waverley in 1986. S Saunders.

circa 1986

Set number: 104550

A blue/grey Class 104 - probably Sc53505 - enters Glasgow Central circa 1986. Andrew McConnell.

The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:

Date: 10th September 1977

With the cobbled roadway of the former goods yard on the right, a well filled three-car BRCW Class 104 DMU formed of cars M50453, M59161 & M50505, complete with two first class saloons, was passing Salwick at speed with a Manchester Victoria to Blackpool North service on Saturday September 10th 1977. The former Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway signalbox dating from 1889, was retained at Salwick as a fringe box to the Preston PSB. The structure which must have been a busy place when the route between Preston and Kirkham had four tracks, was 'modernised' with UPVC windows and a lowered internal ceiling in later years. The 'box was closed in November 2017 as a prelude to resignalling and electrification between Preston and Blackpool North, and was demolished on December 19th 2017. The now electrified Blackpool-Preston route is signalled from the ROC at Ashburys. Martyn Hilbert.

Date: 14th February 1981

Class 105 Bury Bolton Street 14 Feb 1981. The Rossendale Farewell Railtour ran from Manchester Victoria to Rawtenstall and back. Billed as the last train along the branch the only sections covered which aren't still regularly available are the curves at Castleford and the short section from there to Heywood, plus the flat crossing in Bury which has been replaced by the "ski slope" bridge. Here we are at the lunch stop at Bolton Street, the electric lines having already been diverted to nearby Interchange station prior to the line's conversion to trams. The formation was 50794/59207/50761 + 50453/59161/50505. Alistair Ness.

Date: 14th February 1981

Class 105 Ramsbottom 14 Feb 1981. The Rossendale Farewell Railtour ran from Manchester Victoria to Rawtenstall and back. Billed as the last train along the branch the only sections covered which aren't still regularly available are the curves at Castleford and the short section from there to Heywood, plus the flat crossing in Bury which has been replaced by the "ski slope" bridge. Here we are at the Ramsbottom photo stop, a view which doesn't look anything like this today. The formation was 50794/59207/50761 + 50453/59161/50505. Alistair Ness.

Date: 14th February 1981

The view from the level crossing at Ramsbottom, as 'The Rossendale Farewell' was awaiting the train crew to return from the signal box, having operated the gates and the rudimentary signals on this much rationalised railway, on February 14th 1981. The tour which had departed from Manchester Victoria and was bound for Rawtenstall, was formed of a three-car BRCW Class 104 DMU and a Cravens Class 105 Power Twin that had a BRCW Class 104 centre trailer coach inserted between the two driving vehicles. The actual formation being - M50505, M59161, M50453 + M50761, M59207, M50794. Martyn Hilbert.

Date: 14th February 1981

Class 105 Rawtenstall 14 Feb 1981 The Rossendale Farewell Railtour ran from Manchester Victoria to Rawtenstall and back. Billed as the last train along the branch the only sections covered which aren't still regularly available are the curves at Castleford and the short section from there to Heywood, plus the flat crossing in Bury which has been replaced by the "ski slope" bridge. Here we are at Rawtenstall. The formation was 50794/59207/50761 + 50453/59161/50505. Alistair Ness.

Date: 14th February 1981

The Rossendale Farewell railtour seen at Bury Bolton Street, formed of M50794 (105 DMC), M59207 (104 TS), M50761 (105 DMBS) and M50453 (104 DMBS), M59161 (104 TC), M50505 (104 DMC). 14/2/81. Andy Pullar.

Date: 14th February 1981

With the locals out in force to witness what was billed as the last BR passenger train along the Bury to Rawtenstall line on Saturday February 14th 1981, the six-car DMU formation of 'The Rossendale Farewell' was stood at Ramsbottom awaiting the opening of the level crossing gates across Bridge Street. The front three cars were a Newton Heath allocated BRCW Class 104 formed of cars M50453, M59161 with M50505 leading. Just visible on the left is the front end of Cravens Class 105 M50761. Martyn Hilbert.

Date: 14th February 1981

St Valentine's Day 1981 saw a farewell tour run from Manchester via Bury Bolton Street to Rawtenstall formed M50794 + M59207 + M50761 / M50453 + M59161 + M50505. This marked the end of BR services on the line from Bury to Rawtenstall. The last freight train ran the previous December and passenger trains had been diverted to Bury Interchange for almost a year by this time. Jeremy Chapter.

Date: 14th February 1981

With Cravens Class 105 M50794 at the rear, the six-car DMU forming 'The Rossendale Farewell' railtour, had arrived at the end-of-the-line at Rawtenstall on a cold and overcast February 14th 1981. Running from Manchester Victoria, the train was billed as the 'Last BR Service to Rawtenstall'. The line had lost its timetabled passenger service in June 1972, and the Coal workings to Rawtenstall from Bury had ceased in December 1980. Formed of DMU cars of classes 104 and 105 the individual cars were - M50794, M59207, M50761 + M50453, M59161, M50505. It was fitting that Class 105 Power-Twin cars M50794 & M50761 were used, as the Newton Heath Power-Twins were regular visitors to the line in BR days, and a set formed the very last BR service train on June 3rd 1972. Martyn Hilbert.

Date: 14th February 1981

The David Isherwood "Rossendale Farewell" railtour in Bury Bolton Street on 14 February 1981. The formation was 50794 + 59207 + 50761 / 50453 + 59161 + 50505. Stuart Mackay Collection.

Date: 14th February 1981

Plenty of locals have turned out to greet the last BR train to traverse the line from Bury to Rawtenstall, 'The Rossendale Farewell' Railtour, from Manchester Victoria on February 14th 1981. This was the scene at Ramsbottom, at around 1.30pm on the outward journey, as the six-car DMU set paused for the level crossing gates to be opened by the train crew. Cravens Class 105 M50794 brings up the rear, the other vehicles were 59207, 50761 and M50453, M59161, M50505. The Newton Heath allocated Cravens DMU's were frequent visitors to the route until the regular passenger services ceased on June 3rd 1972. Martyn Hilbert.

Date: June 1985

Set number: 107436

107436 (52024 and presumably 59784 + 51997) in Ayr station in June 1985. Behind is another Strathclyde liveried Class 107, and to its left a Blue/Grey Class 104, the latch patch of missing paint on the cab probably identifies it as 53505. Stuart Mackay Collection.

Date: 23rd March 1986

Set number: 107438

Hybrid class 107/104 DMU unit No.107438 (52030 + 59215 + 53505) and class 107 unit No107437 (with 52021 leading) at Ayr station shortly before energisation of the overhead electrification on 23rd March 1986. Gordon Edgar.

Date: 24th July 1987

A view inside Ayr depot on the morning of 24/7/87 shows a line of driving motor cars, with cl.120 no.53741 (labelled for 120 518) most prominent. To its left is the cab of 53651 and behind it are cl.104 53505 and cl.105 53380. All the cars are now withdrawn and are being stripped for spares. Leonard Rogers.

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