DMU Operations: Eastern Region
Ipswich-Lowestoft
DMUs were introduced to the East Suffolk line with the 17 September 1956 timetable.
Norwich allocated Derby Lightweights and Met-Camm Lightweights were used. As the Yellow Diamond "Lightweight" sets were phased out Class 100 and 101s would be used and in time Class 104 and 105s.
In the 1980s radio electronic token block (RETB) signalling was introduced to the line. A number of three-car Class 101s had RETB equipment added for the services, easily identified by the large antenna mounted to the left of the destination box.
Sample Timetables
6 May 1968 to 4 May 1969
In the Passenger Services Eastern Region timetable it was Table 75 (0.8 mb pdf).
April 1974
3 3/4" x 8 1/4" when folded
3 May 1976 to 1 May 1977
4" x 2 7/8" when folded
1 October 1976 to 1 May 1977
Cover only shown
12 May 1980 to 10 May 1981
4" x 2 7/8" when folded
Images
circa 1966
Derby lightweight DMU E79252 at Halesworth on the East Suffolk Line. A good view of the end of the adjacent power car. Note that the rectangular exhaust pipe does not meet the pipe on the other side above the gangway as many did. Phil Bevan.
14th June 1969
Two Gloucester twins passing at Halesworth on June 14th 1969, on the left is the 17:57 Lowestoft - Ipswich and on the right the 17:36 Ipswich - Lowestoft. Steve Davies Collection.
19th February 1970
E50153 + E56122 at Barnby Siding. This is a lovely study of a Metro-Cammell/Cravens hybrid photographed in wintry conditions at Barnby Siding between Oulton Broad and Beccles on the East Suffolk line. The southbound Lowestoft - Ipswich service was captured on Thursday 19th February 1970. The MetCam car was a transfer from Cambridge to Norwich in June 1968 and left the area in July 1971 when it went north to Neville Hill. Photograph by Michael Bryant. Gerard Fletcher.
Unknown date
Cravens set 71 in Beccles station, Lowestoft is on the destination blind. Date unknown. Steve Davies Collection.
Unknown date
Class 105 Cravens DMU set 62 heads out of Brampton station heading to Lowestoft. Undated. Image taken by John Vaughan. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Unknown date
A Cravens set with Lowestoft on its destination blind heads away from the camera at Oulton Broad South Junction. Steve Davies Collection.
21st April 1973
Class 105 Cravens set 36 (E50382 + E56140) at Darsham station on the East Suffolk line from Lowestoft to Ipswich, 21 April 1973. Phil Bevan.
circa 1972 / 3
With Lowestoft showing on the destination blind, GRC&W set 64 heads away from the camera past a Neptune System track machine in the siding to the north east of Saxmundham station. With bars over the passenger door droplights, this was a vehicle that had previously spent time at South Gosforth and is likely E56307, which dates to circa 1972/3. The regular power car at the time was E51111. Image was from the Steve Davies Collection. Stuart Mackay Collection.
16th April 1974
Norwich DMU set number 75 is formed of a Class 100 DTCL (thought to be 56316) and a Class 101 DMBS (presumably 51213) on 16 April 1974 when seen at Woodbridge with the 14.55 Lowestoft - Ipswich service. Stuart Mackay Collection.
17th April 1974
Halesworth on 17 April 1974 with what is likely the 12:48 Ipswich - Lowestoft service. At the front is a 105 DMBS/101 DTCL hybrid, closest is Class 105 DMBS E50382 - note how the top cream lining from the green livery has not been sanded flat and is the blue paint has flaked off it in several places. Stuart Mackay Collection.
16th July 1976
An Ipswich to Lowestoft service approaching Brampton on the East Suffolk Line on 16 July 1976. The vehicles are E56307 (presumably with E51282) and E51277 + E56125. Phil Bevan.
Unknown date
Norwich DMU set 32 formed of a Class 105 DMBS and Class 100 DTCL is seen at Melton, date unknown. Stuart Mackay Collection.
1977
Two twin DMUs arrive into Darsham station with a Lowestoft service sometime in 1977. A Class 104 DMBS leads carrying set 77, presumably E50594, the other three vehicles are Class 105s. Note the crew in the building to the left - was it being dismantled for moving elsewhere? Stuart Mackay Collection.
April 1977
A Gloucester RC&W dmu at Lowestoft in April 1977. Waiting to leave with a train to Ipswich at around 5pm; even in 1977, this class of dmu was a rarity. Tony Watson.
30th May 1977
An unidentified Norwich allocated Cravens class 105 dmu passes over Willow Marsh Crossing, just north of Darsham, with a Ipswich - Lowestoft working on 30th May 1977. Andrew J Crowther.
8th July 1977
E50598 leads an Ipswich to Lowestoft service on the East Suffolk line at Brampton on 8 July 1977. Phil Bevan.
9th September 1977
In its final weeks in traffic, Class 100 DMBS 51125 leads the 10:48 Ipswich-Lowestoft service into Westerfield station on 9 September 1977. It would be withdrawn on 10 October. Robert Thomas.
8th February 1978
Running 'wrong line' at Saxmundham after a snow shower on Wednesday February 8th 1978 is Norwich based Cravens twin set no. 54 (E56436 + E51254) forming the 10.50 Lowestoft - Ipswich. Still retaining the twin headcode boxes, this original style of front end was rapidly disappearing by 1978 as cars went through Doncaster Works, reappearing with flush fronts. Photograph by Michael Bryant. Gerard Fletcher.
circa 1980
DMBS E51293 is nearest to the camera (and seems to be carrying set number 40) leaving Beccles station, which is between Lowestoft and Ipswich in Suffolk, circa 1980. Graeme Phillips Collection.
23rd February 1980
Gloucester RCW Class 100 Motor Brake Second E51115 leads an Ipswich to Lowestoft service at Westerfield on 23 February,1980. Glen Batten.