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Vehicle 56156 / 977047

Class 103

Builder: Park Royal
Layout: Low-Density
Length: 57ft
Coupling Code: Blue Square
Coupling Type: Screw
Gangway Type: LMS
Lot Number: 30287
Diagram: 645

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 50401 during the unknown period are:

2w/e 03/05/58	New to	3C (Ryecroft)
Jun-60	Depot code change	21F
Sep-63	Depot code change	2G
w/e 07/01/67	Transferred to	6A (Chester)

Then the allocations for 56156 are:

circa Feb-81	To departmental stock	SP
p/e 20/06/86	Withdrawn

The vehicle carried the following numbers:

56156 - original number
977047 - from Dec-81 (departmental stock)

Department Use as ADB977047

Sandite From 12/81 to 1985.

Disposal

Scrapped by Vic Berry, Leicester

Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:

	50401	56156	As delivered to 3C - April 1958
	50401	56156	Noted 19/12/67 - at Manchester Exchange¹
CR205	50396	56156	Noted circa Jun-69
	50409	56156	Noted 05/08/1971²
	50409	56156	Noted 18/09/1971 - at Crewe³
	50409	56156	Noted 19/09/71 - in Chester station¹
	50409	56156	Noted 28/03/1972⁴
	50409	56156	Noted 26/05/1973 - at Crewe²
	50399	56156	Noted 03/04/1976 - on 06:33 Machynlleth to Shrewsbury²
	50399	56156	Noted 08/08/1976 - Seen at Preston on a Crewe - Blackpool North service⁵
	50399	56156	Noted 19/06/1977 - Seen at Llandudno Junction en route to Llandudno formed with 51945-52060⁵
	50399	56156	Noted 19/11/1977 - 2K53, 12.30 Bangor to Crewe⁵
	50408	56156	Noted circa 08/1980⁵

Formation Sources
1: Leonard Rogers
2: Peter Wallwork
3: Jeremy Goodyear
4: Chris Moxon
5: Eddie Knorn

Images:

25th July 1959

M56156 leads this Park Royal DMU at Dudley Port (looking south) on July 25th, 1959, heading for Walsall. The DMBS is thought to be M50401. Michael Mensing.

25th July 1959

A Park Royal DMU in Dudley Port station with a Walsall service on 25 July 1959. The vehicles are thought to be M56156 + M50401. Michael Mensing.

Class 103 DMU at between Lichfield and Hammerwich

25th July 1964

M56156 leads a Park Royal DMU heading to Wolverhampton seen after passing under the A461 between Lichfield and Hammerwich on 25 July 1964. Michael Mensing.

10th August 1980

M56156 at the front of an eight-car formation for the Machynlleth-Towyn section of a BSRS (Bristol Suburban Railway Society) Cambrian Special railtour at Machynlleth on 10 August 1980. The tour started in Bristol with loco-hauled stock, 47 185 took it to Shrewsbury then 25 056 + 25 327 on to Machynlleth. At Machynlleth passengers transferred to the DMU. Nicholas T Smith.

Class 103 DMU at Wigan Springs Branch depot

1981

Sandite vehicle 977047 (Class 103) and 977051 (Class 105) on Wigan Springs Branch depot in 1981. Mark Etstall.

23rd November 1981

A very rare photo of one of the earlier DMU (trailer car) Sandite conversions, in this case ADB977047, seen on the move rather than stabled in a siding. Ex Class 103 M56156 is being powered by a Class 40 past Mickle Trafford signal box, bound for Wigan, 23/11/81. Anthony Griffiths.

circa early 1980s

An electric-hauled service passes Wigan Springs Branch depot where Class 103 Sandite vehicle 977047 (and the rear of 977051) can be seen. Circa early 1980s. Mark Etstall.

October 1983

Seen through the doors at the north end of Springs Branch maintenance shed is the former gangway end of Class 103 sandite vehicle 977047, October 1983. S Gaskell.

January 1984

On the left at Springs Branch in this January 1984 view is HAA hopper 355655, damaged the previous year in the Bickershaw coal train derailment. The four branch shunters include 08691 nearest and 08688 at the far end. On the right is Class 103 sandite 977047. S Gaskell.

January 1984

At Springs Branch on the left the distinctive Class 103 design of sandite vehicle 977047 can be seen, while on the right 40001 is at the far end of the former steam shed buffered with another class 40. A smart looking 08688 with gold painted numbers on the buffer beam takes centre stage. January 1984 S Gaskell.

Class 103 DMU at Wigan Spring Branch depot

12th August 1984

Following withdrawal from passenger use, Redundant Park Royal Class 103 Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory Car M56156 was converted to a Sandite Coach and renumbered ADB977047. The non-powered car was stabled at Wigan Springs Branch on August 12th 1984. There were 20, two-car Park Royal DMU sets introduced in 1957, they had been built in the Crossley Motors factory at Heaton Chapel, Stockport. The last units were withdrawn from passenger service in 1983. Martyn Hilbert.

22nd September 1984

977047, the only Class 103 to be used as a Sandite car, is seen at Wigan Springs Branch on the 22nd September 1984. Note the missing vacuum bag, and 'Sandite Vehicle' written on the bodyside. Paul Moxon.

2nd November 1985

In a sorry state, former Park Royal Class 103 Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory (DTCL) ADB977047 (M56156) was awaiting disposal at the side of Wigan Springs Branch TMD on November 2nd 1985. The DMU car had been converted into a Sandite Car following withdrawal from passenger use in 1981. The DMU car was buffered-up to a withdrawn Springs Branch breakdown train riding van, ADM395753. Martyn Hilbert.

The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:

Date: 25th July 1959

A Park Royal DMU at Dudley Port station on 25 July 1959 with the 4.50pm Walsall-Dudley service. The DMBS is M50401 and the DTCL is thought to be M56156. Michael Mensing.

Date: 28th March 1972

Park Royals meeting at Helsby (with Class 40 number 389 in the refuge siding). 50404 & 56158 (out of shot) are on the left passing 56156 & 50409 (also out of shot) on the right, 28/3/72. Anthony Griffiths.

Date: 7th February 1982

With the overnight frost thawing, A pair of Sandite cars were stabled adjacent to the WCML at Wigan Springs Branch on February 7th 1982. The nearest car was ADB977051, a former Cravens Class 105 Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory (DTCL) ex E56427. It was stood with ADB977047, a Park Royal Class 103 Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory (DTCL) ex M56156. Martyn Hilbert.

Date: 3rd June 1983

Sandite DMU ADB977051 was converted in 1981 from Class 105 car no. M56427. Its partner behind was ADB977047, which was converted the same year from Class 103 car no. M56156. I saw both units so often at Springs Branch that they barely warranted a second glance, though I'm now very glad I got this shot which was taken more to finish my film than anything. 3rd June 1983 S Gaskell.

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