DMU Operations: Eastern Region
Harwich - Manningtree
The branch, just over 11 miles long, linked Harwich with the Great Eastern Main Line at Manningtree.
DMUs were introduced in the Winter 1956 timetable beginning on 17 September 1956[1]. Photographs show Derby Lightweights on the service at this time, the Met-Camm Lighweights were probably used too.
When the blue square units arrived in East Anglia those types were also used.
DMUs also ran over the branch on through services.
The line would be electrified with EMUs taking over from the DMUs from the 12th May 1986.
Images
6th April 1957
A Derby Lightweight DMU in Manningtree station on the 6th of April 1957. The KDH Archive.
Unknown date
A Cravens twin partly hiding behind a tree, as it comes off the Harwich line and approaches Manningtree South Junction, with the box just off to the left. Circa early 1960s. The image came from the Steve Davies Collection. Stuart Mackay Collection.
29th July 1964
A Wickham set seen at Manningtree on 29-7-64. Tim Stubbs.
30th July 1964
Wickham set E56173 and E50418 in Manningtree station with a Harwich service on 30th July 1964. Tim Stubbs.
Unknown date
A Cravens set passes a rake of Brighton Belle coaches at Mistley on its way to Harwich in the early 1970s. The DTC has what appears to be two rows of numbers behind the double arrow. Steve Davies Collection.
Unknown date
Cravens set 59 on the bay platform at Manningtree with a Harwich service, date unknown. John Law.
30th July 1973
Cravens set 60 - E56443 and E51285 - at Harwich ready to work a service to Manningtree on 30 July 1973. David Mant.
January 1982
Class 105 set 35 at Harwich Parkeston Quay in January 1982. The dent high up on the cab front suggests 50384 is leading. Alistair Ness.
January 1982
Class 105 Harwich Town January 1982. Alistair Ness.
January 1982
Class 105 Harwich Town January 1982. Alistair Ness.
Unknown date
Norwich allocated Class 105 DMU set 67 at Harwich Parkeston Quay, date unknown. Ian Dinmore/railarchive.org.uk.
23rd March 1983
Set 30 is seen at Harwich on 23/3/83, formed of Cravens vehicles 56137 and 50373. Jerry Glover.
April 1983
A Cravens unit enters Mistley station, working between Harwich and Manningtree in April 1983. The signal box was later moved to the East Anglian Railway Museum at Chappel & Wakes Colne. The DTC closest is possibly 56429. Kevin Lane.
24th March 1984
A Class 105 Cravens 2-car diesel unit is seen departing Manningtree bound for Harwich on 24 March 1984. The set number appears to be 48 so the carriages may have been E54470 (leading) and E51291 which were new in 1959 and 1958 respectively. Both of these would be withdrawn a few months after the photo was taken. New signals have been put in place on a tall gantry, in readiness for electrification of the line which was more obviously under way a couple of miles towards London. Jeremy Chapter.
circa November 1984
Class 105 DMU set 59, presumably 51258 closest, in Harwich Parkeston Quay station. The slide process date was November 1984. Stuart Mackay Collection.
18th March 1985
Cravens set 30 (presumably 54125 and 53373) with the 11:54 Harwich Town - Manningtree is seen beside 31 424 as it arrived at Harwich Parkeston Quay (at 12XX) on Monday 18th March 1985. Colin Brooks.
29th June 1985
Class 101 unit at Manningtree on the Harwich branch train on 29th June 1985. Ian Buck.
16th November 1985
Cravens Class 105 Set 71 (E54439 closest) departs from Manningtree with the 1046 Manningtree - Harwich Town on Saturday 16th November 1985. Colin Brooks.
16th November 1985
Class 105 Set 71 (presumably 53381 + 54439) depart Wrabness on the 12:30 Manningtree - Harwich Town service on Saturday 16th November 1985. Colin Brooks.
16th November 1985
Cravens Class 105 Set 71 (54439 closest and presumably 53381) on the 12:30 Manningtree - Harwich Town heads away from Wrabness on Saturday 16th November 1985. Colin Brooks.
References
- ⋏ "New Diesel and Electric Services" p709 October 1956 Railway Magazine