Sharing the Drivers View
One of the favourite features on DMUs was being able to sit behind the driver and share his view of the line ahead. These images show what this experience was like. Latterly, drivers put their privacy over the public's enjoyment and would put the blinds down on the partition between the cab and the passenger saloon.
Unknown date
Inside Waggon und Maschinenbau railbus E79961 in Witham station, date unknown. Stuart Mackay Collection.
This shows one of the main reasons the public loved DMUs - the view of the line ahead! The set is approaching Dalmeny Junction from the south and is about to pass 61351. It's probably a Class 107 but may be one of the 108s on loan at the time. Photo by Tony Pirie. Ian McDonald Collection.
Crossing the Forth Bridge on a Derby built vehicle, probably a 107 or one of the 108s that spent a short time based in Edinburgh when new. In the desk can be seen a small board painted "D2 WED" and these can sometimes be seen propped up in the windows. It denoted what the set was working, and on the reverse was often the drivers diagram details. Photo by Tony Pirie. Ian McDonald Collection.
30th September 1961
The view from a Gloucester twin DMU at Cardona station on 30 September 1961. This was on the line between Peebles and Galashiels and the station closed in February 1962 Stuart Mackay Collection.
15th April 1963
The view from the front seats of a Derby Lieghtweight as the train chases sheep near Cethin's Bridge on the Blaneau Festiniog branch, 15 April 1963. John Cosford.
Crossing Cethin's Bridge over the Afon Ledr between Pont-y-Pant and Betws-y-Coed on the Blaneau Festiniog branch on board a Derby Lightweight DMU, 15 April 1963. John Cosford.
Approaching Llandudno Junction station on the branch train from Blaneau Festiniog formed of a Derby Lightweight DMU, 15 April 1963. John Cosford.
1st June 1963
The view from a Derby suburban quad DMU approaching South Ruislip station with an up Central Line train going in the opposite direction, 1 June 1963. John Cosford.
January 1964
The view from a Derby Lightweight between Norwich and North Walsham in a snowy January 1964. These vehicles didn't have a full width drivers desk, and the brake valve on the lower left just sits on top of two vacuum pipes. Tim Stubbs.
1965
Sharing the driver's view from a Met-Camm DMU crossing the Forth Bridge in 1965. Image by Norman Hurford. Peter Brabham Collection.
Unknown date
A view from the front passenger seat inside a Class 108 vehicle. It was working a Rock Ferry-Helsby train and is captured approaching West Cheshire Junction in the early 1960's. Anthony Griffiths.
1968
The view from the front of a Swindon Cross-Country DMU approaching Ledbury and about to go over the viaduct in 1968. The line here was singled in the 1980s. John Crooks.
5th April 1969
Over the driver's shoulder. The single-track tunnel between Bewdley and Burlish Crossing, taken on board Class 116 set TY538 on the 13.45 Stourport-on-Severn to Kidderminster via Bewdley, 5 April 1969. Tom Burnham.
22nd April 1969
A look out of a Class 116 set heading out of Birmingham Moor Street and approaching Duddeston Viaduct. April 22nd, 1969. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Unknown date
Sharing the drivers eye view. A Class 116 in the Birmingham Moor Street area, probably 1970s. The seat covering is 'Trojan' moquette. Stuart Mackay Collection.
circa 1970
A featured loved in DMUs was the ability to share the driver's view (if the blinds were left up), such as this view of Birmingham Moor Street circa 1970. Stuart Mackay Collection.
4th March 1972
On board a Class 108 (believed to be M50962) on the Keswick branch, 4 March 1972. George Woods.
Unknown date
A Met-Camm unit seen out of the window of another DMU. Taken at Castleton Moor on the Middlesbrough to Whitby line, date unknown. Stuart Rankin.
4th August 1973
Class 126 units cross at Pinwherry, Ayrshire, on the Stranraer to Ayr line on 04/08/1973. Tokens are being exchanged with the southbound train to Stranraer (unit number unknown). The photograph is taken from Class 126 SC51050 which was working the 1134 Stranraer to Glasgow service. Pinwherry crossing was located between Barrhill and Girvan but has been closed for many years. I would appreciate if anyone can identify the unit number. The broken glass may help. Robert Hope.
26th June 1974
Taken through the rear window of a Class 101 DMU on the North Berwick service at Drem, 40086 of Gateshead has rescued 47210 of I think Haymarket, which has failed on the 07.38 Playmouth to Edinburgh on 26th June 1974. The KDH Archive.
3rd August 1974
Heading north looking back over the engineering marvel that is the 1890 Forth Railway Bridge over the Firth of Forth. This is a view of the intricate steelwork (in the days when they still used to paint it!) from the dmu rear seat. The sloping desk means this is a Cravens vehicle, with it's shaped hand brake wheel on the left. Pete LG99.
Sharing the driver's view crossing the Forth Bridge on 3rd August 1974. On the return journey from Dunfermline to Edinburgh we managed to sit behind the driver in the front compartment and I grabbed this shot in the middle of the 1.6 mile long Forth Bridge. The combination of the major supports and smaller iron & steelwork struts make an interesting pattern over this iconic engineering structure opened in 1890. North Queensferry's Distant signal is off on the right and there is an precarious looking pw hut overhanging the bridge side on the left. Next stop Dalmeny station. Pete LG99.
A northbound Class 101 diesel multiple unit approaches the south end of Dalmeny station on 3rd August 1974 seen from an Edinburgh bound DMU. Pete LG99.
11th October 1974
This is an example of how a clear view of the road ahead was possible from the front seat of a dmu, taken at Lichfield Station (Staffordshire) on 11th October 1974. The LNWR Lichfield City Station opened in 1849 and still retains a lot of its character today. Here the starter signal is pulled off for dmu M50109 to take the junction for Birmingham New Street via Sutton Coldfield. This trip to New Street was memorable because the carriage was full of screaming teenagers all wearing tartan outfits - unfortunately the Bay City Rollers were in concert in town that evening. The white plate with the number 6 on it indicates where a 6 car dmu train should stop. Sadly not needed anymore as I only ever see 2 or 3 car trains these days. This station is on the now electrified cross-city line from Reddich so I assume the semaphore signals & LNWR box must have been replaced. Pete LG99.
circa August 1975
In the days when it was possible to get a forward view from a train, in this case a "Swindon Cross Country" unit between Derby and Nottingham. Coming towards us is one of the many coal trains that ran in the area hauled by pairs of Class 20 locomotives. The date is the summer of 1975. Bob Belcher.
16th June 1976
Ready for in a Met-Camm at Bishop Auckland on 16 June 1976. Nigel Menzies.
November 1976
DMUs on Stockport Viaduct on a Sunday in November, 1976. The 'wires' were turned off and engineering trains were around Longsight, the Inter-City trains were diesel hauled with dead electrics behind the diesel. Taken from a Derby unit on the slow line standing in for an EMU, probably from Alderley Edge, Crewe or Stoke, gradually overtaking an ex-Buxton BRCW unit. Arnie Furniss.
Unknown date
Sharing the driver's view, in the days when they left the blinds up. Taken in a Class 104 crossing Stockport viaduct. Malcolm Clements.
The view out of a Class 127 DMU at Silkstream Junction, date unknown. Phillip Malin.
10th May 1977
Nowadays I think only train drivers get the benefit of the view of the Forth Rail Bridge from a train travelling over it. While the "first generation" diesel units operated it was often possible to get the view from the leading (or trailing) passenger saloon, as long as the driver had not dropped the window blinds. This view was taken on 10 May 1977 from a class 101 DMU. Jeremy Chapter.
5th July 1977
Crossing the Forth Bridge - seen though the front windows of a southbound Class 101 DMU on 5/7/77. Note the red (1st class) seat frames. David Christie.
A BRCW Type 2 Diesel passing our southbound Class 101 DMU on the Forth Bridge, 5/7/77. David Christie.
The view from behind the driver of a Class 101 DMU, leaving Markinch, by the Sig Box, 5/7/77. David Christie.
18th February 1978
A Class 108 seen from a Class 108 at Shaw & Crompton on the Oldham Loop, 18 February 1978. Alistair Ness.
29th April 1978
One of the intrinsic parts of the classic railway scene were first generation DMUs bouncing along uneven jointed track with everyone including the driver bouncing along with it in unison. Sometimes the driver would be a spoilsport & pull down the concertina blind but happily not on this occasion as the 2B60 1213 St Ives-St Erth approaches Lelant Saltings distant signal having just departed Lelant. The view from the Swindon Class 120 is south across Hayle Estuary on Saturday 29th April 1978. John Simmonds.
Unknown date
An AL6 electric loco (Class 86) seen from a BRC&W DMU at Nuneaton. Date unknown. Graham Clark.
A driver in the cab of a Class 124 'Transpennine' DMC vehicle at Stalybridge looking north east in the 1960s. Chris Moxon Collection.
The passengers view from the front saloon of a Trans-Pennine DMU. Date and location unknown, the driver's uniform suggests 1960s. Nick Lander Collection.
The view from a Cravens DMU at Blackwood station, probably as it departs on a Glasgow Central - Coalburn service. Date unknown, services ended on the line in October 1965. John Horne Collection.
4th July 1980
A Class 119 set and 37 286 are seen at Cardiff from another DMU on the 4th July 1980. Bruce Galloway.
Unknown date
The view through the cab on a DMU departing from Droitwich Spa en-route to Hereford, date unknown. Note the lower-quadrant signal ahead. David Page.
14th April 1982
The view from a Cravens DMU approaching Welland Bridge GN & GE, Spalding, on 14.04.82. Phil Bevan.
9th May 1982
The view from E56091 passing Middlesbrough station on the goods lines during an engineering diversion, Nay 9th, 1982. John Carter.
31st May 1982
The view from Class 118 W51327 at Bere Alston on 31 May 1982. Rob Paterson.
30th December 1982
Clayton West signal box at the approach to the station as seen from a Met-Camm dmu just arriving from Huddersfield. Opened in 1879 by the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway it was closed in 1983 when the branch line closed. The nameboard is original LYR. Pete LG99.
Honley, West Yorkshire 30th December 1982. On a grey mid-winter day, Honley station, opened in 1850 on the ex-Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway line from Huddersfield to Penistone, plays host to two first generation diesel multiple units. Ours is heading for Clayton West station on the branch from Shepley Junction while the Down line train is Huddersfield-bound. Pete LG99.
Huddersfield Kirklees West Yorkshire 30th December 1982. Taken from the rear of a Met-Camm DMU returning from the West Clayton branch on the ex-LYR Penistone line this is the view of Longroyd Viaduct over the Colne valley. We will very soon negotiate Springwood Junction where the ex-LNWR Standedge route merges before entering the tunnels into Huddersfield station. Pete LG99.
The view from a Met-Camm DMU approaching Skelmanthorpe, the only intermediate station on the 1879 Clayton West branch, on 30 December 1982. We came off the Huddersfield to Penistone line at Shepley Junction. The driver has put the single line tablet for the Shepley Junction to Clayton West section in its ringed leather pouch on top of the hand brake in the cab. The branch closed a few weeks later and today Skelmanthorpe is a stop on the narrow gauge Kirklees Light Railway that runs from the junction to Clayton. Pete LG99.
1983
The view from a Cravens DMU diving under Albert Dock on the way to North Woolwich in 1983. Joint Line.
21st June 1983
Arriving at Bourne End. Viewed through the front window of a Class DMU. The train will reverse here and head to Marlow. Taken at 12:28 on 21st June 1983. Jonathan Hazan.
The view ahead from a Class 117 DMU on the Twyford branch, 21 June 1983. Jonathan Hazan.
The view from the front row of passenger seats of a DMU (probably a Class 121) approaching Greenford station on June 21, 1983. Jonathan Hazan.
14th July 1983
View through the cab window of Class 118 DMBS 51302 on an Up service at Topsham 14-7-83. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.
3rd September 1983
Taken from L582 (and presumably 51096) at Copyhold Junction with Ardingly 100 shuttle to/from Ardingly, 3 September 1983. Nigel Menzies.
1984
The driver of a Class 104 on a Bedford - Bletchley service in 1984 has a hand ready on the brake as he passes under a couple of boys on a footbridge at Bedford, about two-thirds of a mile south-west from St John's station. Ian Docwra.
Class 104s pass at Millbrook while on Bedford - Bletchley duties in 1984. Ian Docwra.
10th March 1984
A class 101 is seen from a Leeds - Sheffield dmu departing Wakefield Kirkgate on Saturday 10th March 1984. Colin Brooks.
24th March 1984
Crossing the Royal Albert Bridge seen from Class 118 DMS 51326 on the rear of the train, 24-3-84. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.
Crossing the Royal Albert Bridge seen from Class 118 DMS 51326 on the rear of the train, 24-3-84. On Tour With the Class 13 Army.
July 1984
A Class 120 and Class 116 seen in the sidings at Worcester Shrub Hill view from the front of a DMU en-route from Hereford to Birmingham, July 1984. Paul James.
September 1984
In the days when it was possible to sit at the front of a diesel multiple unit and (assuming that the driver had not lowered the blind) it was possible to enjoy a "driver's eye" view of the track ahead. On board a class 116 unit as a similar unit passes in the opposite direction on the section of route between Solihull and Lapworth that used to be four tracks. Taken in September 1984 from 51130 on a Leamington Spa service. Bob Belcher.
22nd September 1984
Forward view from a Class 104 DMU at Woburn Sands working a Bletchley to Bedford service on 22nd September 1984. Jonathan Hazan.
October 1984
Waiting to depart High Wycombe for Marylebone, as seen from the secondmans side of Class 115 DMBS, M51679. October 1984. The identity of the Class 56 on the train of oil tanks on the middle road is unknown. Paul James.
The approach to High Wycombe as seen from the secondmans side of Class 115 DMBS, M51679. October 1984. Paul James.
1985
The approach to Bradford Forster Square station as seen from the front window of a dmu (almost certainly a Class 108) from Keighley in 1985. Not much was happening & by this time most of the station was derelict, the few remaining trains concentrated on the 2 westernmost platforms. The goods yard and sidings to the left were disused & about to be lifted. Pete LG99.
16th April 1985
Looking through the back window of a Pwllheli bound class 120 dmu at Barmouth station, on the Cambrian Coast line a Met-Camm bound for Dovey Junction passes over the level crossing. 16th April 1985. Andrew J Crowther.
Looking through the back window of a Pwllheli bound class 120 Swindon dmu, having just passed through a avalanche shelter on the Cambrian Coast line, between Llwyngwril and Fairbourne. 16th April 1985. Andrew J Crowther.
Looking through the back window of a Pwllheli bound class 120 Swindon dmu, at one of the tunnels on Cambrian Coast line, as we are stopped at Penhelig Halt. 16th April 1985. Andrew J Crowther.
1st June 1985
Taken from the rear window of a class 101 DMU at Cantley on the Lowestoft to Norwich line, 1st June 1985. Jonathan Hazan.
22nd July 1985
Taken on-board Swindon Cross Country DMS 53675 at Penhilig, 22nd July 1985. The reflection shows the lights are on ready for going through the tunnel, ones on the luggage rack being prominent. Tim Stubbs.
August 1985
The view from the front seats of Class 104 DMBS 53447 leaving Stockport bound for Stalybridge in August 1985. The driver has the blinds down but has kindly left the door open. Ian Docwra.
8th January 1986
View from the front of 55009 near Wilmcote on the 1410 Stratford on Avon to Leamington, 8/1/86. Martin Baumann.
15th March 1986
A nostalgic view of North Walsham with the tanks for Parkeston in the sidings. Taken from 53373 on 15/3/86. Photo by Phil Mott. Gerard Fletcher.
The view from the front of 54086 working a Whitby to Middlesbrough train at Glaisdale as 53262 arrives leading a train to Whitby 15th March 1986. Keith Long.
The view from E51214 departing from Barttersby on the rear of the 1222 Whitby to Darlington on 15 March 1986. Keith Long.
10th May 1986
The view in the front saloon of a Cravens set on May 10, 1986, probably at the western end of Parkeston Quay Yard in Harwich, heading east. This was the last Saturday of DMUs on the Harwich branch. Colin Brooks.
28th May 1986
A view of the line ahead taken from Met-Camm set 75 on May 28th, 1986, on a Hitchin - Peterborough service, probably at Langfordbridge just north of Arlesey. Colin Brooks.
29th May 1986
The view from 101316 crossing the Forth Bridge on 29 May 1986. It is about to pass 26 042 light engine. Andrew Malloy.
23rd August 1986
At Leytonstone High Road a 104 is seen from a 104, both the Gospel Oak - Barking duties, August 23, 1986. Colin Brooks.
6th September 1986
A view I got nearly every day coming home from work, on board a Buxton allocated class 108 DMU on a Manchester Piccadilly - Buxton service, slowing for the Levenshulme stop, whilst a London Euston - Manchester Piccadilly service nears it's destination with a class 87 at the helm. 6th September 1986. Andrew J Crowther.
August 1987
The view from the front saloon of Class 104 53556 as it crosses the Forth Bridge in August 1987. Alistair Ness.
18th June 1988
Taken near Gilberdyke from a DMU heading for Hull, the Eastern Region general manager's inspection saloon "The Stourton Saloon" headed by DB975637 with DB975664 behind passes the other way on 18/Jun/1988. These two vehicles were converted from Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Co. class 100 DMUs 56300 (DTCL) and 51122 (DMBS) respectively. They were taken into departmental stock in 1978 and withdrawn in 1990, being scrapped at Snailwell in Cambridgeshire. Robert Chilton.
11th February 1989
A hyrbid DMU (possibly T406, with a Class 116 vehicle closest) at Gravelly Hill 11 February 1989, taken from another suburban DMU. Two units on Birmingham Cross-City workings pass in the station. Alistair Ness.
2nd March 1989
A view unavailable today, seen from Class 101 No 51253 crossing the Forth Bridge with the 1050 Edinburgh to Kirkcaldy on 2 March 1989. Keith Long.
circa August 1989
A view from the cab of class 121 55032 as it sits in the bay platform at Stourbridge Junction in the summer of 1989 awaiting its next short trip down the hill to Stourbridge Town. Bob Belcher.
16th August 1989
The view from Class 108 Set S946 (presumably 53939 + 52046) on 2M39, the 1528 Swansea - Crewe (via Reversal at Llanelli & Central Wales line), as it awaits time at one of the stations on the Central Wales line on 17:26 on Wednesday 16th August 1989. Colin Brooks.
29th August 1989
The view from a Class 108, probably on the approach to Hooton, on August 29, 1989. Colin Brooks.
A Class 108 taken from a Class 108 at Capenhurst on the Chester to Hooton line, August 29, 1989. Colin Brooks.
26th July 1991
One feature of many of the old 1st generation DMUs now sadly lacking with the new stock was the forward view, or as in this case, rearward view. Here the view out of the rear of class 116 no. 51143 is seen just after passing Lifford West Junction and just before arriving at Bournville on the way from Redditch to Birmingham New Street, 26/Jul/1991. Robert Chilton.
One feature of many of the old 1st generation DMUs now sadly lacking with the new stock was the forward view, or as in this case, rearward view. Here the view out of the rear of class 116 no. 51143 is seen just after leaving Northfield on the way from Redditch to Birmingham New Street. Points of note are the unit set number board in the secondman's window, the driver's copy of the 'Mirror' from the outbound journey and, unusually, a second set of driving controls lying on the desk. 26/Jul/1991. Robert Chilton.
17th December 2011
Riding the Cardiff Bay bubble, the view from 55032 on December 17, 2011. Alex Drennan.