Builder: Met-Camm
Layout: Low-Density
Length: 57ft
Coupling Code: Blue Square
Coupling Type: Screw
Gangway Type: LMS
Lot Number: 30468
Diagram: 630
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 51198 during the unknown period are:
10/01/59 | New to | 26A (Newton Heath) | |
Jun-59 | Transferred to | 24E (Blackpool Central) | |
5w/e 06/07/63 | Transferred to | 26A (Newton Heath) | |
Sep-63 | Depot code change | 9D | |
3w/e 02/10/65 | Transferred to | 6G (Llandudno Junction) | |
4w/e 05/11/66 | Transferred to | 6A (Chester) |
Then the allocations for 56356 are:
24/11/85 | Transferred to | CF (Cardiff Canton) | |
26/02/86 | Stored S. | CF (Cardiff Canton) | - pending transfer to ScR |
11/05/86 | Reinstated | HA (Haymarket) | |
Jun-86 | Stored S. | HA (Haymarket) | |
28/09/86 | Withdrawn from | HA (Haymarket) |
23/03/87 - 54341/56 noted at Aberdeen Ferryhill where one would be converted to an observation saloon for the Kyle of Lochalsh line (54356 was chosen).
12/05/87 - at Aberdeen, undergoing conversion to observation saloon. By 20th May 1987, cab front had been painted blue.
There is a page on the observation saloon in the Class 101 section.
56356 - original number
54356 - from Apr-83 (53xxx / 54xxx change)
6300 - from Sep-87 (to coaching stock)
circa Jul-72 - AWS fitted
Preserved - more details.
51198 | 56356 | As delivered to 26A - 10th January 1959 | |||||||
CR248 | 51198 | 56356 | Noted circa Jun-69 | ||||||
51199 | 56356 | Noted 19/09/71 - on Chester depot1 | |||||||
51191 | 56356 | Noted 08/01/1972 - at Crewe2 | |||||||
51199 | 56356 | Noted 31/10/1972 - at Manchester Victoria2 | |||||||
51199 | 56356 | Noted 26/05/1973 - at Crewe2 | |||||||
50203 | 56356 | Noted 17/08/1974 - at Chester3 | |||||||
CR236 | 51186 | 56356 | Noted 10/09/76 - on Chester depot, set number only on 511864 | ||||||
51196 | 56356 | Noted 11/04/1977 - 2D77, 09.51 Rock Ferry to Chester, extended to Llandudno5 | |||||||
51196 | 56356 | Noted 13/04/1977 - 2D75, 12.10 Rock Ferry to Chester5 | |||||||
51196 | 56356 | Noted 09/08/1977 - 2D99, 15.32 Manchester Victoria to Bangor5 | |||||||
51196 | 56356 | Noted 30/08/1979 - on 16:33 Rock Ferry to Chester2 | |||||||
51196 | 56356 | Noted circa 08/19805 | |||||||
51199 | 54356 | Noted circa 07/19835 | |||||||
51193 | 54356 | Noted circa 03/19845 | |||||||
51183 | 54356 | Noted 24/09/85 - on delayed 13:00 Wolverhampton - Chester service6 | |||||||
51193 | 54356 | Noted 29/09/85 | |||||||
C202 | 51193 | 54356 | Formed at CF circa Nov-85 | ||||||
51193 | 54356 | Transfer to HA - 11/05/86 - from Ss(CF) | |||||||
51463 | 54356 | Noted 11/02/94 - on 2F47 14:13 Wilmslow - Warrington7 |
Formation Sources
1: Leonard Rogers
2: Peter Wallwork
3: Jeremy Goodyear
4: Gerald Brown
5: Eddie Knorn
6: Martin Baumann
7: David Bellamy
A two-car Met-Camm DMU with M54356 closest, date/location unknown, circa mid-1980s. The vehicle was based at Chester until late 1985 when it moved to Cardiff and shortly after placed in store. It moved to Haymarket then further north to become the Kyle observation saloon 6300. Stuart Mackay Collection.
M54356, Haymarket mpd, 25th March 1986. Graham Johnston.
Some Met-Camm DMUs on Haymarket depot on 29 May 1986 including 54356 on the right which would go on to become the Kyle observation saloon. Andrew Malloy.
Class 101 DTC M54356 sits out of use in Haymarket depot on February 8, 1987. It would soon move to Aberdeen Ferryhill and be converted to an observation saloon. Hamish Stevenson.
Kyle of Lochalsh line Observation coach 54356 at Inverness on 02/06/87. Roddy MacPhee.
The observation saloon converted from a Met-Camm DTC, still numbered M54356, and Inverness on the back of a Kyle of Lochalsh service in 1987. Ian Docwra.
M54356 on the rear of a Kyle of Lochalsh service departing from Inverness on August 12, 1987. The jumpers sockets have been removed, as has the vacuum quick release and air pipe. Stuart Mackay Collection.
M54356 was given a stag on the cab front when seen at Inverness on August 12 1987, this was the logo of the depot. Note the ETH connection added to the buffer beam. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Observation saloon M54356 at Inverness on August 12, 1987. The replacement door probably came from 54337, the conversion was done at Aberdeen Ferryhill where the two vehicles were sent before 54356 was selected. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Recently converted to an observation saloon, M54356 on the rear of a Kyle of Lochalsh service in Inverness station on August 12, 1987. Stuart Mackay Collection.
The observation saloon conversion at Kyle of Lochalsh on the 15th August 1987. Only the cab has been repainted, it still carries it's original number of 54356, with an M prefix (it had latterly been based at CF and HA before being withdrawn from DMU use). It would later become 6300. Hamish Stevenson.
Kyle Line observation saloon 6300 (ex-54356) in Inverness station sometime in 1988 alongside 37 414. Stuart Mackay Collection.
The ex-class 101 observation saloon 6300 "Hebridean" in Inverness, thought to be in 1988. The adjoining coach is named "Victory Lounge Car". Ian Docwra.
The ex-class 101 observation saloon 6300 on the rear of a Kyle of Lochalsh service in Inverness, thought to be in 1988. Ian Docwra.
Met-Camm observation saloon 6300 of the rear of a Kyle line service at Achnasheen behind 37 418 "An Comunn Gaidhealach". Ian Docwra.
Met-Camm Observation coach 6300 at Inverness on 02/04/88 on rear of 2H83 the 1015 Inverness - Kyle of Lochalsh. Roddy MacPhee.
Met-Camm observation saloon 6300 on the rear of a Kyle of Lochalsh service in Inverness station on 2 April 1988, freshly painted into its green livery. Note the lining mis-match at the top of the drivers door (they got it right on the opposite side). Alan Grange.
Observation saloon 6300 on the rear of the 10:10 hrs departure from Inverness to Kyle of Localsh on Wednesday 22nd June 1988. AndrewHA.
Observation coach 6300 (formerly 56356) on the rear of a Kyle of Lochalsh service departing from Dingwall. Date unknown, but the logo on the front and the blue/grey coaching stock suggest this is 1988. Paul Moxon.
Met-Camm observation saloon 6300 behind 37 415 at Kyle of Lochalsh - Inverness on August 16, 1988. Colin Brooks.
Met-Camm observation saloon 6300 behind 37 415 on 2H84, the 1640 Kyle of Lochalsh - Inverness, August 16, 1988. Colin Brooks.
Met-Camm observation saloon 6300 behind 37 415 on 2H84, the 1640 Kyle of Lochalsh - Inverness, August 16, 1988. Colin Brooks.
Met-Camm observation saloon 6300 behind 37 415 changing platforms at Kyle of Lochalsh on August 16, 1988. Colin Brooks.
Class 101 observation saloon 6300 behind 37414 at Kyle of Lochalsh on 2H84 the 16:40 to Inverness on 8 September 1988. Neil Smith.
37419 at Kyle of Lochalsh with the additional Hebridean service to Inverness comprising which contained ex-Class 101 6300 as an observation saloon. September 1989. Stephen Burdett.
Met-Camm observation conversion 6300 behind 37 418 on 1700 Kyle of Lochalsh - Inverness, August 17, 1990. Colin Brooks.
Observation coach 6300, an ex DTCL Metro-Cammell Class 101 DMU 56356, at Inverness on the rear of 1015 Inverness - Kyle of Lochalsh on the 27th August 1990, which consisted of green coaching stock with a DMU observation coach, the train was called "The Hebridean". Andrew J Crowther.
Observation coach 6300, an ex-DTCL Metro-Cammell Class 101 DMU 56356, which is named "Hebridean" at Dingwall on the rear of 1015 Inverness - Kyle of Lochalsh, 1st September 1990. Andrew J Crowther.
6300 (ex-54356) on the rear of the 10:15 Inverness - Kyle, seen at Achnasheen, 9/9/90. Gazza Prescott.
37421, with the 15:00 Kyle of Lochalsh - Inverness, at Erbusaig Bay, 24/9/90. A cloudy day, except way out to the west! The first vehicle behind the loco is the Met-Camm observation saloon 6300. Russell Moorhouse.
37025 at Kyle of Lochalsh with 2H87, the 1505 to Inverness, on 29th June 1991. Behind the loco is 6300, the converted Met-Camm observation saloon. John Simmonds.
Met-Camm observation saloon 6300 behind 37 428 'David Lloyd George' at Kyle of Localsh on 2H84, the 15:05 to Inverness, 17-8-91. On Tour With The Class 13 Army.
37025, at A' Phait, about to begin the part of it's journey on the 'Kyle line', adjacent to Loch a' Chuilinn, with the 15:05 Kyle of Lochalsh - Inverness, 12/9/91. Behind the loco is Met-Camm observation saloon 6300. Russell Moorhouse.
37 430 waits at Kyle of Lochalsh with an Inverness service on June 26 1992, the first vehicle being Met-Camm observation saloon conversion 6300. Alex Drennan.
Met-Camm observation saloon 6300 at Kyle of Lochalsh on June 26 1992. The regular bodyside windows have been replaced by double glazed units. Alex Drennan.
47 532 at Allanfearn on 22/07/92 1Z50 1815 Inverness - Elgin. The first vehicle in the rake is 6300, the Class 101 DTC (once 56356) converted to an observation saloon for the Kyle line. Roddy MacPhee.
37240 heads past Craig Highland Farm, Duncraig, with the 15:00 Kyle of Lochalsh - Inverness on 13/8/92. The first vehicle behind the loco is converted Met-Camm DMU vehicle 6300. Russell Moorhouse.
Observation car 6300, at the rear of the 10:15 Inverness - Kyle of Lochalsh, powered by 37153, near Loch Gowan, 14/8/92. Russell Moorhouse.
With Met-Camm observation saloon 6300 as the first coach, 37153 heads east over bridge 40 which crosses the water at A' Phait, between Lochs Achanalt and a' Chuilinn, with the 15:00 Kyle of Lochalsh - Inverness on 14/8/92. Russell Moorhouse.
A view into the front saloon of converted Met-Camm observation saloon 6300 on a Kyle line journey in September 1994. Russell Moorhouse.
Former Class 101 6300 is seen at Inverness on 01.09.1994. It had been converted from 54356 and was used as an observation saloon on the Kyle of Lochalsh line. Andy Cole.
37427 'Highland Enterprise' takes the 10.25 Inverness - Kyle of Lochalsh train past Clachnaharry on 24-09-1994. The rear vehicle is a class 101 driving trailer (56356) converted to an observation car and numbered 6300. Gordon Thomson.
54337 and 54356 at Haymarket depot circa 1986. The later would become observation saloon 6300. S Saunders.