DMU Operations: Eastern Region
Cambridge-Ipswich
DMUs on these services would be any of the many types allocated to Cambridge or Norwich (Derby Lightweights, Met-Camm Lightweights, 100s, 101s, 104s, 105s, 109s).
The Sunday evening Cambridge - Ipswich service was possibly the last passenger DMU service to be booked to haul a tail load, possibly continuing until the early 1980s.
Sample Timetables
2nd February to 14th June 1959
Cover only shown
2nd November 1959 to 12th June 1960
Cover only shown
7 May 1973 to 5 May 1974
This measured 4 1/8" x 3" when folded.
April 1974
3 3/4" x 8 1/4" when folded
3 May 1976 — 1 May 1977
This measured 4" x 2 7/8" when folded.
4 October 1976 — 1 May 1977
This measured 4" x 2 7/8" when folded.
12 May 1980 — 10 May 1981
This measured 4" x 2 7/8" when folded.
5th September 1964
A fine 'yellow diamond' E79xxx series Metro Cammell twin glides into the bay platforms at Cambridge on September 5th 1964 forming the 17.00 from Ipswich (due 18.43), while over on the left Ipswich based Brush Type 2 D5529 (later the ill fated 31111) stands alongside EE Type 3 D6719 which is just being detached from the stock of the 17.36 from Liverpool Street. Copyright Chris Burton. Gerard Fletcher.
June 1966
A Met-Camm Lightweight set at East Suffolk Junction in June 1966. The destination blinds indicate it's heading for Cambridge. Steve Davies Collection.
June 1966
Two 2-car Derby Lightweight sets at East Suffolk Junction in June 1966. Leading appears to be E79615 and it has Cambridge on the destination blind. Image taken by John Vaughan. Stuart Mackay Collection.
7th October 1970
The 08.55 from Ipswich is seen near Brookfields footbridge, Cambridge, on 7 October 1970. The Norman cement works at Cherry Hinton can be seen in the background. I have the cars recorded as E56122 and E50153, the Cravens DTCL would move to Finsbury Park the same month, the Met-Camm DMBS remained allocated to Norwich a while longer and would soon be noted paired with Wickham DTCL 56172. Tom Burnham.
10th March 1971
The 12.50 Cambridge - Ipswich is seen at Cherry Hinton level crossing, near Cambridge, on 10 March 1971. Met-Camm DMBS E51222 leads, paired with a Cravens DTCL. The traditional gates have now been replaced by lifting barriers. The house on the extreme right was part of the short-lived station (closed in the 19th century). Tom Burnham.
Unknown date
Cravens set 45 at Newmarket with an Ipswich service. Date unknown. Steve Davies Collection.
October 1975
A mixed 2-car Local Passenger dmu Set No.67 consisting of Cravens Class 141 driving trailer No.E56441 and Metro - Cammell Class 101/2 driving motor brake No.E50201 in Rail Blue livery with all-yellow front end at Cambridge on an Ipswich service, 10/75. Hugh Llewelyn.
October 1975
A mixed 2-car Local Passenger dmu Set No.67 consisting of Metro - Cammell Class 101/2 driving motor brake No.E50201 and Cravens Class 141 driving trailer No.E56441 in Rail Blue livery with all-yellow front end at Cambridge on an Ipswich service, 10/75. Hugh Llewelyn.
18th January 1981
Two Cravens DMUs waiting to depart from Cambridge for Ipswich and Ely on 18 January 1981. Closest is a DTCL from set 77 - it seems to have been one of the vehicles that was built with four marker lamps - the centre two have been removed and plated over. The other vehicle is the DMBS from set 35 and has the mounting for the top centre marker lamp. It is thought to be 50384 which also once had four lamps. Rob Edwards.
5th September 1983
A pair of Cravens units await departure from the north end bays at Cambridge on Monday 5th September 1983. Driving Trailer Composite E56426 leads the unit on the left which forms the 10:48 service to Ipswich via Newmarket and Bury St Edmunds. Set 65 on the right will follow on three minutes later with the 10:51 Cambridge to Doncaster via March, Peterborough, Spalding, Sleaford, Lincoln and Gainsborough, finally arriving in Doncaster at 14:23. A bit of an endurance test but I can’t help thinking it must have been quite relaxing in the 1st Class section behind the driver’s cab, especially if the blinds were up. Brian McDevitt.
7th April 1984
Cravens set 70 is seen at Coldham's Common heading south-east out of Cambridge towards Newmarket on April 7th, 1984, with Ipswich on the destination blind. Michael Mensing.
22nd October 1984
A pair of Cravens - sets 45 and 49 - at Cambridge on the night of 22 October 1984. Chris Thorp.
9th March 1985
Norwich allocated Class 101 DMU set 75 (51252 + 54400) departs from Thurston at 12:27 with the 11.30 Cambridge to Ipswich service on 9 March 1985. Rob Paterson.
8th May 1987
Class 101 set CA22 (presumably 54363 + 53204) on the 09:07 Ipswich - Cambridge arrives at Stowmarket (09:25) on Friday 8th May 1987. Colin Brooks.
11th January 1988
A shot taken at Ipswich on late on a cold and crisp evening, 11th January 1988. 54122 + 53359 are about to work the 2210 service to Cambridge. AndrewHA.
4th March 1989
A 2 car Met-Camm DMU leaves Cambridge for Ipswich on 4 March 1989. The DTSL closest is presumably 54379. Robert28194.
circa 1991
Norwich Set 68, E54065 closest, at Cambridge circa 1991 with a Cambridge - Ipswich Service. Nigel Walls.
1992
Class 101 DMU set 101660 (51189 + 54343) at Ipswich in a Cambridge service sometime in 1992. It was a Norwich set until October 1992 when it moved to Longsight. Stuart Mackay Collection.
14th March 1992
Met-Camm set 51 (presumably 51218 + 54399) arrives into Bury St Edmunds station on March 14, 1992 with the 12.5pm Cambridge - Ipswich service. Michael Mensing.
14th March 1992
Met-Camm set 51 (presumably 54399 + 51218) is seen sitting in Bury St Edmunds station on March 14, 1992. It is working the 12.5pm Cambridge - Ipswich service. Michael Mensing.
14th March 1992
Bury St Edmunds contains two Met-Camm sets in this view taken on March 14, 1992. On the right three-car set 100 (53266 closest) forms the 12.10pm Ipswich - Cambridge, on the left is set 51 (presumably 54399 + 51218) with the 12.5pm Campridge - Ipswich. Michael Mensing.