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Vehicle 56253 / 54253

Class 108

Builder: BR Derby Works
Layout: Low Density
Length: 57ft
Coupling Code: Blue Square
Coupling Type: Screw
Gangway Type: LMS
Lot Number: 30466
Diagram: 640

Allocations

The London Midland Region didn't publish trailer car details until late in 1968. Although not 100% reliable, if it is assumed that the trailers remained with the same power cars, the allocations for 50970 during the unknown period are:

04/07/59	New to	24F (Fleetwood)
w/e 03/06/61	Transferred to	6A (Chester)
w/e 07/01/67	Transferred to	9A (Longsight)
3w/e 30/04/67	Transferred to	8J (Allerton)
2w/e 11/05/68	Transferred to	10E (Accrington)

Then the allocations for 56253 are:

Oct-72	Transferred to	9D (Newton Heath)
May-73	Depot code change	NH
w/e 05/11/76	Transferred to	LO (Longsight)
12/05/85	Transferred to	NH (Newton Heath)
22/01/89	Transferred to	TS (Tyseley)
01/10/89	Transferred to	CH (Chester) PCHX
14/05/90	Transferred to	LO (Longsight) PLOX
05/10/92	Withdrawn from	LO (Longsight) RFXX

The vehicle carried the following numbers:

56253 - original number
54253 - from 1983 (53xxx / 54xxx change)

Modifications

Sep-74 - AWS fitted

Refurbished

At Swindon Works dated 25/02/1977 released in white/blue stripe livery

Disposal

Scrapped by Booth Roe Metals, Rotherham

Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:

	50970	56253	As delivered to 24F - 4th July 1959
	50981	56253	Noted 31/10/1972 - at Manchester Victoria¹
	50981	56253	Sep-74 - Together for AWS fitting
	50970	56253	Noted 01/04/1976 - at Lancaster¹
	50970	56253	Noted 22/05/76 - at Carnforth²
	50970	56253	Noted 09/09/76 - at Preston³
	50981	56253	Transfer to LO - w/e 05/11/76
	50981	56253	Noted 20/09/80 - on 12:43 Chester to Manchester Victoria
LO310	50981	56253	Noted 19/07/1982 - Manchester Picc⁴
LO310	50981	56253	Noted circa 08/1982⁴
	53981	54253	Noted circa 06/1983⁴
	53981	54253	Listed at LO - 01/01/85
	53981	54253	Listed at Newton Heath - Summer 1986
	53981	54253	Noted 13/09/86 - on a Southport to Wigan Wallgate service
	53981	54253	Noted 28/10/86 - at Orrell
	53981	54253	Listed at NH - 10/05/87
N610	53981	54253	Listed at NH - May 1988
N610	53981	54253	Noted circa Jul-88
T206	53981	54253	Listed at TS - 01/09/89
CH276	53981	54253	Listed at CH - 14/10/89
CH276	53981	54253	Noted circa 05/1990⁴
LO276	53981	54253	Listed at LO - mid May-90
LO276	53981	54253	Noted 16/03/1991 - At Crewe.⁵
LO276	53981	54253	Listed at LO - Jul-91
LO276	53981	54253	Listed at LO - Aug-91
	53981	54253	Noted 07/08/91⁶
LO276	53981	54253	Noted circa 09/1991⁴
LO276	53981	54253	Listed at LO - Dec-91
LO276	53981	54253	Listed at LO - 02/07/92
	53981	54253	Noted 04/07/92 - on 2H64 19:38 Manchester Piccadilly - New Mills Central⁷
	53981	54253	Noted 28/08/92 - on 12:49 Chester - Helsby⁷
LO276	53981	54253	Listed at LO - 24/09/92

Formation Sources
1: Peter Wallwork
2: Leonard Rogers
3: Gerald Brown
4: Eddie Knorn
5: Dave Warby
6: Graeme Phillips
7: David Bellamy

Images:

13th September 1986

Complete with Greater Manchester PTE logo, a Class 108 with former Driving Trailer Composite M54253 at the rear and DMBS M53981 was stood at Parbold whilst working a Southport to Wigan Wallgate service on September 13th 1986. Martyn Hilbert.

5th April 1988

Set number: N610

Class 108 Set N610 (presumably 54253 + 53981) with the 15XX Manchester Victoria - Kirkby arrived at Kirkby (at 16XX) on Tuesday 5th April 1988. Colin Brooks.

2nd July 1988

Set number: N610

With a thunderstorm and heavy rain receding in the background, First and Second generation DMU's were stood in the South facing bay platforms at Preston Station on July 2nd 1988. In bay 3C was a two-car Derby Class 108 formed of cars M54253 & M53981 that was working services to Ormskirk, whilst alongside in 4C were Class 142's 142 055 & 142 010 with a service to Liverpool Lime Street. Martyn Hilbert.

10th July 1988

A Derby built Class 108 2-car DMU is stabled between duties in Southport carriage sidings on the 10th July 1988. M54253 was a Driving Trailer Composite when built, but had now been downgraded to all second class. Most of the railway infrastructure behind the DMU has now been swept away and replaced by a retail park. Visible are the toilet blocks and the faded maroon & cream staff cabin on the disused excursion platforms, the coal depot, the loco shed, and the stable blocks for the former goods yard. Viva & Marina British Rail vans are parked in the yard. Martyn Hilbert.

1989

Set number: T206

Two-car Class 108 DMU set T206 (54253 and presumably 53981) in Loughborough station in summer 1989. Stuart Mackay Collection.

6th March 1990

Set number: CH276

Having earlier arrived at New Mills Central from Manchester Piccadilly, Class 108 two-car DMU formed of cars M54253 & M53981, had run the short distance beyond the end of the Up platform and run into the siding located on was what once part of the Hayfield branch (Closed in January 1970), a short length being retained inside the 200 Yard Hayfield Tunnel for use as a turnback facility. The unit then crossed over to the Down platform to await departure back to Manchester Piccadilly on a gloomy and overcast March 6th 1990. The unit was finally withdrawn from passenger carrying service in October 1992. Car 54253 was scrapped, but 53981 was transferred to departmental use and renumbered to ADB977838 for use as a Sandite vehicle. It too was eventually withdrawn for a final time in February 1994 and subsequently scrapped. Martyn Hilbert.

27th June 1990

Set number: LO276

Slowing for the stop at Grindleford on the 27th June 1990 is a rather battered Longsight allocated Derby Class 108 DMU LO276 (presumably 54253 closest), on a Manchester - Sheffield local service through the Hope Valley. Andrew J Crowther.

4th June 1991

Set number: LO276

Class 108 set LO276 (presumably 54253 + 53981) arrives at Llandudno Jct on June 4, 1991. Hamish Stevenson.

8th October 1991

Set number: LO276

54253 + 53981 with 37 430 at Manchester Victoria on 8/10/91. Sparegang.

25th June 1992

Set number: LO276

Nearing the end of it's journey from Liverpool approaching Deansgate station Longsight allocated Class 108 dmu LO276 (54253 + 53981) crosses Lower Castlefield Back Viaduct captured as it is about to pass under the former Manchester Central station approach viaducts. 25th June 1992. Andrew J Crowther.

16th July 1992

Set number: LO276

Longsight set LO276, formed with a slightly battered looking DTCL M54253 and DMBS M53981, sitting amongst the Brute trolleys at Manchester Piccadilly, 16/Jul/1992. Robert Chilton.

The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:

Date: 20th September 1980

M50981 + M56253 in Chester station with the 12:43 to Manchester Victoria on 20/9/80. John Carter.

Date: 13th September 1986

A Class 108 2-Car DMU formed of M53981 & M54253 arrives at Parbold with a Southport to Wigan Wallgate service (Despite the destination!) on September 13th 1986. In the far distance the change of gradient is clearly visible to enable the line to climb over the Leeds & Liverpool Canal between Hoscar & Burscough Bridge. Martyn Hilbert.

Date: 28th October 1986

Class 108 53981 and 54253 arrive into Orrell station, this end of the platforms is unused. 28th October 1986. S Gaskell.

Date: 28th October 1986

53981 and 54253 await departure from Orrell station on the 28th October 1986. S Gaskell.

Date: 20th February 1989

Set number: T206

Class 108 DMU set T206 (presumably 53981 + 54253) passes Bottesford West Junction heading away from Grantham and towards Nottingham on 20th February 1989. Andrew Walker.

Date: 13th October 1990

Set number: LO276

Class 108 DMU set LO276 (53981 and presumably 54253) in Bangor station on 13 October 1990. George Woods.

Date: 24th May 1991

Set number: LO276

Longsight Class 108 DMU LO276 (presumably 53981 + 54253) leaving Knutsford, Cheshire. Jonathan Watson.

Date: 26th June 1992

Set number: LO276

Class 108 set LO276 at Manchester Oxford Road on June 26, 1992. 53981 leads, presumably with 54253. John Carter.

Date: 16th July 1992

Set number: LO276

Class 108 set LO276 formed DMBS 53981 leading DTCL 54253 standing at Preston on 16/Jul/1992. Robert Chilton.

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