Vehicle 56223 / 54223

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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 50940 during the unknown period are:

03/01/59	New to	6G (Llandudno Junction)
Oct-59	Transferred to	1E (Bletchley)
3w/e 31/01/65	Transferred to	6A (Chester)
w/e 07/01/67	Transferred to	9A (Longsight)

Then the allocations for 56223 are:

4w/e 05/08/78	Transferred to	CH (Chester)
21/05/83	Transferred to	NH (Newton Heath)
11/05/86	Transferred to	TS (Tyseley)
06/03/87	Transferred to	ME (Marylebone)
Oct-88	Transferred to	BY (Bletchley)
21/01/92	Transferred to	RG (Reading) NWRX
10/06/93	Transferred to	HQ (Headquarters) NWRX
14/06/93	Withdrawn from	HQ (Headquarters) NWRX

The vehicle carried the following numbers:

56223 - original number
54223 - from Jul-83 (53xxx / 54xxx change)

Refurbished

At Derby Works dated 26/09/1980 released in blue/grey livery

Disposal

Preserved - more details.

Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:

	50940	56223							As delivered to 6G - 3rd January 1959
	50940	56223							Transfer to 1E - Oct-59
LT316	50940	56223							Listed at Longsight - circa Dec-69
LT316	50940	56223							Listed at 9A - circa Jul-70
	50940	56223							Noted 04/06/71 - at Longsight1
	50940	56223							Noted 19/09/71 - on Chester depot1
	50940	56223							Noted 19/08/1973 - at Birmingham New Street 2
	50940	56223							Noted 09/1974 - at Crewe2
	50400	56223							Noted circa 09/19823
	51190	56223							Noted circa 02/19833
	53628	54223							Noted circa 06/19833
	53628	54223							Noted circa 08/19833
TS208	53628	54223							Listed at Tyseley - Summer 1986
TS208	53628	54223							Noted circa 06/19863
	51893	54223							Noted 16/11/19873
	51661	54223							Noted circa 02/19883
	51661	54223							Noted 24/05/19883
	51651	54223							Noted circa 10/19883
L213	51343	54223							Noted 6th June 1992
L213	51343	54223							Listed at RG - 12/08/92
L213	51343	54223							Listed at RG - November 1992 - Sector NWRX

Formation Sources
1: Leonard Rogers
2: Peter Wallwork
3: Eddie Knorn

Images:

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September 1961

A Blue Square Derby Lightweight DMU departs Bedford St Johns with a Cambridge service in mid-September 1961. The vehicles are M56223 and M50940 which were allocated to Bletchley depot. Michael Mensing.

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11th May 1964

The 5.07pm Bletchley - Oxford service is seen west of Claydon, north of Calvert, on 11 May 1964. It of formed of a two-car blue square Derby Lightweight DMU with M56223 leading. Michael Mensing.

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14th February 1987

Two Class 108 driver trailers at Tyseley TMD on the 14th February 1987, M54223 closest. It had been transferred to the depot from Newton Heath at the start of May 1986. S Gaskell.

The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:

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Date: 14th February 1987

Class 116 centre car M59440 at Tyseley TMD on the 14th February 1987. Amongst the other DMU vehicles are two Class 108 driver trailers, the closest being 54223. S Gaskell.