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Vehicle 56259 / 54259

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 50976 during the unknown period are:

Aug-59	New to	Chaddesden	- stabled pending allocation
05/09/59	Transferred to	26A (Newton Heath)
Oct-59	Transferred to	27F (Brunswick)
11/09/61	Transferred to	8H (Allerton)	- Brunswick closed
Sep-63	Depot code change	8J
3w/e 01/07/67	Transferred to	10E (Accrington)

Then the allocations for 56259 are:

Oct-72	Transferred to	9D (Newton Heath)
May-73	Depot code change	NH
Feb-80	Transferred to	LO (Longsight)
12/05/85	Transferred to	NH (Newton Heath)
11/05/86	Transferred to	TS (Tyseley)
10/12/86	Transferred to	ME (Marylebone)
Oct-88	Transferred to	BY (Bletchley)
23/12/91	Withdrawn from	BY (Bletchley) NXXZ

The vehicle carried the following numbers:

56259 - original number
54259 - from May-83 (53xxx / 54xxx change)

Modifications

May-74 - AWS fitted

Refurbished

At Swindon Works dated 22/09/1978 released in white/blue stripe livery

Disposal

Scrapped by Gwent Demolition, Margam

Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:

	50976	56259			As delivered to Chaddesden - August 1959 - pending allocation
	50976	56259			Transfer to 27F - Oct-59
	50976	56259			Noted 08/09/1975 - 18:55 Ormskirk to Preston¹
	50973	56259			Noted 28/03/1976 - at Manchester Victoria ¹
	50976	56259			Noted 07/04/1976 - at Carnforth ¹
	50976	56259			Noted 09/09/76 - at Wigan NW²
	50941	56259			Noted 24/10/1980 - At Chester Station³
	50941	56259			Noted 25/10/1980 - At Holyhead³
LO300	50941	56259			Noted circa 08/1982⁴
	50941	56259			Noted circa 12/1982⁴
	53941	54259			Noted circa 06/1983⁴
	53941	54259			Listed at LO - 01/01/85
TS205	53941	54259			Listed at Tyseley - Summer 1986
	51878	54259			Noted 3rd January 1987
	51878	54259			Noted 21/03/1987 - BLS Thames and Trent Railtour 51651-54495 + 54259-51878 + 54222-51654
	51878	54259			Noted 04/05/87 - on the Quaintonian shuttle with 51895 + 54499
	51878	54259			Noted 25/05/87 - on Quaintonian shuttle with 51651 + 54213
	51878	54259	59652	51900	Noted 16/09/1987⁴
	51878	54259			Noted circa 11/1987⁴
	51878	54259			Noted circa 02/1988⁴
	51659	54259	59731	51673	Noted 10/03/90 - on services to Marylebone⁵
	51674	54259			Noted 02/04/90 - on services from Marylebone with 51652 + 54228⁵
	51651	54259			Noted circa 05/1990⁴
	51669	54259	59737	51670	Noted circa 11/1991⁴

Formation Sources
1: Peter Wallwork
2: Gerald Brown
3: Shayne Lewis
4: Eddie Knorn
5: Aaron Calder

Images:

31st March 1986

On Easter Monday, March 31st 1986 a brief patch of sunlight on a dull morning at Midge Hall, as a 4-Car DMU with Class 108 M54259 leading forming 2T06, a day excursion from Ormskirk to Blackpool North, passes Globe Mill with the driver preparing hand the single line token to the signalman at Midge Hall box. In the foreground is the disconnected former Up line taken out of use in 1983. The rear set is a Class 104. Martyn Hilbert.

14th July 1986

Set number: TS205

DMUs passing at Havenhouse on 14 July 1986. On the left is a Class 114, on the right Class 108 set TS205 with 54259 visible. Phil Bevan.

4th May 1987

54259 - 51878 - 54499 - 51895 at Quainton Road on 4/5/87. Robert Frise.

4th May 1987

54259 - 51878 - 54499 - 51895 departing Quainton Road on 4/5/87. Robert Frise.

25th May 1987

54259 - 51878 - 51651 - 54213 on the Chiltern Link (Quaintonian) at Quainton Road, 25/5/87. Robert Frise.

25th May 1987

Two Class 108/115 hybrids 54259 + 51878 / 51651 + 54213 on the Chiltern Link (Quaintonian) at Quainton Road on 25 May 1987. Stuart Mackay Collection.

The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:

Date: 4th May 1987

At Quainton Road are 51895 - 54499 - 51878 - 54259 on the Quaintonian, 4/5/87. Robert Frise.

Date: 4th May 1987

51895 - 54499 - 51878 - 54259 on the Quaintonian at Quainton Road, 4/5/87. Robert Frise.

Date: 4th May 1987

51895 - 54499 - 51878 - 54259 prepare to depart Quainton Road on the Quaintonian, 4/5/87. Robert Frise.

Date: 4th May 1987

The Aylesbury - Quainton Road regular charter The Quaintonian seen on the 4th May 1987, formed 51895, 54499, 51878 & 54259. Robert Frise.

Date: 24th May 1987

Class 108/115 hybrids 54213 + 51651 / 51878 = 54259 at Quainton Road on the Chiltern Link (Quaintonian) shuttle, 25/5/87. Stuart Mackay Collection.

Date: 25th May 1987

54213 - 51651 - 51878 - 54259 on the Chiltern Link (Quaintonian) at Quainton Road, 25/5/87. Robert Frise.

Date: 10th November 1990

Three two coach Class 115/108 units (51679 + 54259 / 51657 + 54224 / 54499 + 51652) are seen here at Claydon LN&E Junction on 10 November 1990 with the second Aylesbury to Milton Keynes shopper specials of 1990. The train had travelled via Quainton Road and Calvert and was about to pass Claydon Loop on the way to Bletchley and its destination. The signal on the extreme right shows where the line from Bicester enters the loop which at this time was used by such trains as Whatley to Wolverton stone, the Bath and Bristol to Calvert household rubbish containers and the much-missed Akeman Street fertiliser vans. Peter Tandy.

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