Vehicle 56489 / 54489
Class 108
Builder: BR Derby Works
Layout: Low Density
Length: 57ft
Coupling Code: Blue Square
Coupling Type: Screw
Gangway Type: LMS
Lot Number: 30602
Diagram: 646
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 51906 during the unknown period are:
| 16/04/60 | New to | 9E (Trafford Park) | |
| 4w/e 28/05/60 | Stored | 9E (Trafford Park) | |
| Jun-60 | Reinstated | 9E (Trafford Park) | |
| 4w/e 01/06/63 | Transferred to | 9A (Longsight) | |
| 3w/e 30/04/66 | On loan to | 8J (Allerton) | |
| 3w/e 02/07/66 | Ex-loan back to | 9A (Longsight) |
Then the allocations for 56489 are:
| 12/05/85 | Transferred to | CH (Chester) | |
| 14/05/90 | Transferred to | LO (Longsight) PLOX | |
| 05/06/91 | Withdrawn from | LO (Longsight) PLOX |
The vehicle carried the following numbers:
56489 - original number
54489 - from 1983 (53xxx / 54xxx change)
Modifications
Nov-72 - AWS fitted
Refurbished
At Swindon Works dated 28/10/1977 released in white/blue stripe liveryDisposal
Scrapped by Booth Roe Metals, Rotherham
Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:
| 51906 | 56489 | As delivered to 9E - 16th April 1960 | |||||||
| 51906 | 56489 | Noted 11/04/67 - at Stockport Edgeley1 | |||||||
| 51906 | 56489 | Noted 25/11/67 - at Stockport Edgeley1 | |||||||
| LT302 | 50532 | 56489 | Listed at Longsight - circa Dec-69 | ||||||
| 50532 | 56489 | Noted 22/12/69 - at Manchester Piccadilly1 | |||||||
| LT331 | 51906 | 56489 | Listed at Longsight - circa Jan-71 | ||||||
| 51906 | 56489 | Noted 19/09/71 - at Crewe with 51904 + 56487 / 51917 + 56274 / 51913 + 56493 possibly subbing for a Class 304 if the current was switched off between Liverpool and Crewe1 | |||||||
| 51906 | 56489 | Noted 09/07/77 - on 0727 Llandudno Jn-Llandudno with 51193 + 56336 | |||||||
| 51265 | 56489 | Noted 18/01/79 - at Norwich2 | |||||||
| LO317 | 51906 | 56489 | Noted circa 05/19823 | ||||||
| 51906 | 56489 | Noted circa 12/19823 | |||||||
| 51906 | 54489 | Listed at LO - 01/01/85 | |||||||
| 51906 | 54489 | Listed at Chester - Summer 1986 | |||||||
| 51906 | 54489 | Noted 30/07/1986 - at Derby4 | |||||||
| 51906 | 54489 | Noted 02/09/86 - on 11:23 Holyhead - Llandudno | |||||||
| 51906 | 54489 | Noted 18/02/19873 | |||||||
| 51906 | 54489 | Noted 05/07/1987 - at Manchester Piccadilly4 | |||||||
| 51906 | 54489 | Noted circa 12/19873 | |||||||
| CH261 | 51906 | 54489 | Listed at CH - May 1988 | ||||||
| CH261 | 51906 | 54489 | Noted circa Jul-88 | ||||||
| CH261 | 51906 | 54489 | Listed at CH - 14/10/89 | ||||||
| CH261 | 51906 | 54489 | Noted 28/12/89 - at Doncaster2 | ||||||
| LO264 | 51911 | 54489 | Listed at LO - mid May-90 | ||||||
| LO264 | 51911 | 54489 | Noted circa 05/19913 |
Formation Sources
1: Leonard Rogers
2: Gerald Brown
3: Eddie Knorn
4: Robert Chilton
Images:
1st September 1986
Class 108 54489 + 51906 on the 17:20 Llandudno - Holyhead approaches Rhosneigr on Monday 1st September 1986. Colin Brooks.
1st September 1986
Class 108 DMBS 51906 + DTCL 54489 with the 13:50 LLandudo - Holyhead departing Rhosneigr (at 15:01) on Monday 1st September 1986. Colin Brooks.
8th March 1991
Set number: LO264
54489 at the front of the 14:41 to Chester ready to depart Manchester Piccadilly on March 8, 1991. John Carter.
The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:
Date: 21st May 1985
Yet another night without the comfort of a bed and the station clock confirms my dedication or stupidity, at 01:22 am. Longsight-allocated class 108 DMU Nos.54489-51906 on the Chester shuttle and Gateshead-allocated 47431 alongside on a parcels working at Crewe on 21st May 1985. Introduced into BR service on 1st January 1962 as D1545 and allocated to 41A Darnall. Unlike many class 47s this example only carried the two numbers, but carried three liveries, namely two-tone green, BR blue, and large logo blue with grey roof. Given the unofficial name of 'Silurian' when at Tinsley in November 1990, she was withdrawn in August 1992 and disposed of by MRJ Phillips at Old Oak Common MPD in April 1997. Gordon Edgar.
Date: 2nd September 1986
Class 108 DMBS 51906 & DTCL 54489 with the 11:23 Holyhead - Llandudno approaching Rhosneigr on Tuesday 2nd September 1986. Colin Brooks.
Date: 2nd September 1986
Class 108 DMBS 51906 + DTCL 54489 on the 13:35 Holyhead - Llandudno arriving at Bangor (at 14:05) on Tuesday 2nd September 1986. Colin Brooks.
Date: 2nd September 1986
Class 108 51906 + 54489 at Bangor on Tuesday 2nd September 1986 after arriving with the 1123 Holyhead - Llandudno. Colin Brooks.
Date: 18th October 1991
31146 drags 53969 + 54236 + 54489 + 54231 as 5Z41 1011 Longsight to C.F Booths past New Mills, 18/10/91. Kevin Dowd.