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Vehicle 56339 / 54339

Class 101

Builder: Met-Camm
Layout: Low-Density
Length: 57ft
Coupling Code: Blue Square
Coupling Type: Screw
Gangway Type: LMS
Lot Number: 30468
Diagram: 630

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 51181 during the unknown period are:

15/11/58	New to	3E (Monument Lane)
20/06/60	Depot code change	21E
Sep-63	Depot code change	2H
3w/e 31/01/65	Transferred to	6A (Chester)

Then the allocations for 56339 are:

30/03/86	Transferred to	NC (Norwich)
12/04/87	Transferred to	HT (Heaton)
14/06/87	Withdrawn from	HT (Heaton)

The vehicle carried the following numbers:

56339 - original number
54339 - from Apr-83 (53xxx / 54xxx change)

Refurbished

At Derby Works dated 01/11/1976 released in white/blue stripe livery

Disposal

Scrapped by Mayer Newman, Snailwell

Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:

	51181	56339	As delivered to 3E - 15th November 1958
	51181	56339	Noted 01/01/70 - at Crewe¹
	51200	56339	Noted 22/02/1971 - at Crewe²
	51183	56339	Noted 03/05/1972 - 16.20 Chester-Runcorn³
CR233	51183	56339	Noted 04/09/74 - at Crewe, 56339 displayed CR231¹
	51183	56339	Noted 03/05/1975 - Noted working 16.20 Chester- Runcorn & 17.00 Runcorn - Helsby. The last day of this service⁴
	51183	56339	Noted 08/04/1976 - on 15:21 Chester to Manchester Victoria²
	51183	56339	Noted 17/07/76 - in Manchester Victoria⁵
	51184	56339	Noted 25/02/1977 - Worked 2D75, 15.10 Rock Ferry to Chester⁴
	51184	56339	Noted 25/02/1977 - 2F75 16.30 Chester to Rock Ferry⁴
	51184	56339	Noted 12/03/1977 - Unnamed LCGB Railtour from Crewe to Manchester and the Northwest 56360-51190 + 51184-56339
	51184	56339	Noted 11/04/1977 - 2J62, 08.42 Llandudno to Manchester Victoria⁴
	51184	56339	Noted 08/09/77 - at Pwllheli¹
	51197	56339	Noted circa 08/1980⁴
	51197	56339	Noted 22/10/1980 - Llandudno Junction⁶
	51197	56339	Noted 27/10/1980 - At Wrexham General Station working to Shrewsbury⁶
	51197	56339	Noted 30/08/1981 - Lea Valley Railway Club Churnet Charger Railtour 56359-51200 + 51197-56339 + 51578-59580-51587
	51197	56339	Noted circa 05/1982⁴
	51203	56339	Noted circa 09/1982⁴
	51203	54339	Noted circa 04/1983⁴
	51203	54339	Noted 23/04/85 - stabled at Machynlleth
	51203	54339	Noted circa 03/1986⁴
	51203	54339	Transfer to NC - 30/03/86 - from CH
85	51203	54339	Formation change - NC - circa Apr-86
	51203	54339	Noted 12/04/1986⁴
85	51203	54339	Noted 17/04/86 - at Norwich¹
85	51203	54339	Listed at Norwich - Summer 1986
85	51203	54339	Noted 14/06/86 - at Norwich¹
85	51203	54339	Noted circa 08/1986⁴
85	51203	54339	Listed at NC - Apr-87

Formation Sources
1: Gerald Brown
2: Peter Wallwork
3: Chris Moxon
4: Eddie Knorn
5: Leonard Rogers
6: Shayne Lewis

Images:

24th June 1961

A two-car Met-Camm DMU is seen south of Foleshill on 24 June 1961. Closest is DTCL M56339 allocated to Monument Lane. Michael Mensing.

9th August 1963

Two Met-Camm power-trailer DMUs form the 7.59am Leamington Spa (Ave) - Birmingham New Street service seen approaching Marston Green on 9 August 1963. Michael noted on the print that this was the only scheduled passenger service to use the Kenilworth - Berkswell cut off line. The DTCL closest appears to be M56339, which was allocated to Monument Lane. Michael Mensing.

circa mid-1970s

Set number: CR231

A couple of Met-Camm DMUs at Barmouth. M56339 has a Chester set number in the cab window which seems to be CR231. Circa mid-1970s. Stuart Mackay Collection.

June 1976

A pair of Metro-Cammell DMUs (M56339 leads) approach Llandudno Junction from Llandudno itself in June 1976. Whilst an estate agent might not see the proximity of the line to the back gardens in Glan Y Mor Road as a selling point, I suspect that some of us would think otherwise! Kevin Lane.

9th August 1980

A Class 101 set led by 56339 is about to roll into Tywyn station, 9/8/80. Chris Lings.

14th February 1981

Met-Cam class 101 DTC M56339 in the "new" white and blue refurbished livery with a plain blue DMBS (probably 51197) in Abbey Foregate sidings, Shrewsbury, 14th February 1981. Paul James.

4th July 1981

The 17:30 Chester-Pwllheli service is seen at Caersws station on 4 July 1981 with M56339 closest. Robert Thomas.

July 1985

Class 101 Metro-Cammell 2-car DMU 54339 and presumably 51203 (DTCL + DMBS) in Platform 4 at Helsby July 1985. On Tour With The Class 13 Army.

The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:

Date: 3rd May 1972

On the last day of 'local' services between Frodsham Jn and Halton Jn, Class 101 51183 & 56339 is on the 16.20 Chester-Runcorn, approaching Halton Jn, 3/5/72. Anthony Griffiths.

Date: 3rd May 1972

On the last day of 'local' services between Frodsham Jn and Halton Jn, Class 101 51183 & 56339 is at Runcorn on the 17.00 service to Chester, 3/5/72. Anthony Griffiths.

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