Vehicle 56178 / 54178
Class 104
Builder: BRC&W
Layout: Low Density
Length: 57ft
Coupling Code: Blue Square
Coupling Type: Screw
Gangway Type: LMS
Lot Number: 30297
Diagram: 585
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 50535 during the unknown period are:
| 3w/e 19/04/58 | New to | 5D (Cockshute) | |
| 4w/e 01/07/61 | Transferred to | 21F (Ryecroft) | |
| Sep-63 | Depot code change | 2G | |
| w/e 10/10/64 | Transferred to | 6A (Chester) | |
| 4w/e 06/02/65 | Transferred to | 6G (Llandudno Junction) | |
| 3w/e 02/10/65 | Transferred to | 9D (Newton Heath) | |
| 4w/e 06/11/65 | Transferred to | 9A (Longsight) |
Then the allocations for 56178 are:
| May-80 | Transferred to | NH (Newton Heath) | |
| 09/02/86 | Withdrawn from | NH (Newton Heath) |
The vehicle carried the following numbers:
56178 - original number
54178 - from Aug-83 (53xxx / 54xxx change)
Disposal
Scrapped by Vic Berry, Leicester
Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:
| 50535 | 56178 | As delivered to 5D - 3w/e 19/04/58 | |||||||
| LT331 | 51906 | 56178 | Listed at Longsight - circa Dec-69 | ||||||
| LT305 | 50535 | 56178 | Listed at 9A - circa Jul-70 | ||||||
| 50535 | 56178 | Noted 04/06/71 - at Longsight1 | |||||||
| 50535 | 56178 | Noted 12/09/71 - at Stalybridge1 | |||||||
| 50535 | 56178 | Noted 09/09/1975 - 19:07 Stalybridge to Stockport2 | |||||||
| 50535 | 56178 | Noted Jun-76 - in Manchester Piccadilly1 | |||||||
| 50535 | 56178 | Noted 17/07/76 - in Manchester Piccadilly1 | |||||||
| 50533 | 56178 | Noted circa 03/19833 |
Formation Sources
1: Leonard Rogers
2: Peter Wallwork
3: Eddie Knorn
Images:
15th April 1961
In platform 4 of Birmingham New Street on April 15, 1961, sits a two-car BRC&W set (M56178 closest) partnered with a two-car Met-Camm set. Michael Mensing.
autumn 1962
A BRC&W twin DMU formed of M56178 and presumably M50535 seen at Redditch in autumn 1962. Michael Mensing.
autumn 1962
A BRC&W twin DMU formed of M56178 and presumably M50535 seen at Redditch in autumn 1962. Michael Mensing.
The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:
Date: 6th July 1959
The 1.40pm Birmingham New Street - Rugby Midland service arrives into Stechford station on 6 July 1959. It is formed of BRC&W vehicles, twin set M50535 + M56178 with two vehicles from a three-car set added to the rear. Michael Mensing.
Date: July 1964
A BRC&W driver-trailer set is seen at Aldridge in July 1964, formed of M50535 and M56178 which were allocated to Ryecroft. Michael Mensing.
Date: 1st June 1985
Two Class 104 DMUs in Bolton station on 1 June 1985. The set on the left is 53533 + 54178, on the right is 53443 + 53493. Keith Long.