These services were introduced on 5 March 1956, along with the shorter Birmingham - Four Oaks service over the same route, using Monument Lane allocated Derby Lightweights.
A brochure was produced to promote the new trains - the front and rear are shown here:
From May 1958 Blue Square vehicles would take over, predominately Met-Camms, later Class 116s would be the normal traction.
Cover only shown
Cover only shown
Cover only shown
Cover only shown
M79121 leads a twin set with 'Lichfield via Four Oaks' on the destination blind, seen in Birmingham New Street, date unknown. Stuart Mackay Collection.
A Derby Lightweight DMU in Sutton Coldfield station with a Lichfield C via Four Oaks service. Date unknown, closest is M79653 which was a Monument Lane vehicle from new in March 1956 till June 1958 so likely in that period. Stuart Mackay Collection.
A two-car Derby Lightweight DMU arrives into Four Oaks station circa 1957. M79132 leads with "Birmingham via Aston" on the destination blind, it was a Monument Lane from new in March 1956 until June 1958 when it moved to Llandudno Junction. Stuart Mackay Collection.
There are at least ten Derby Lightweight vehicles visible in this view at Birmingham New Street on the 2nd March 1957, there were 16 vehicle total. They will form three services, the 5.15pm to Lichfield (6-cars), 5.20pm to Lichfield (6-cars), and the 5.42pm to Four Oaks (4-cars). The latter would have addition vehicle added from an incoming service. Michael Mensing.
A long line of Derby Lightweight vehicles in platform 4 of Birmingham New Street on the 7th May 1957. They will work the 5.15pm to Lichfield (6-cars), 5.20pm to Lichfield (6-cars) and 5.42pm to Four Oaks (4-cars, will have additional vehicles added from an incoming service). Michael Mensing.
A three-car Met-Camm with a three-car BRC&W unit behind in Birmingham New Street with the 4.08pm local service to Lichfield City. Blue Square units had recently taken over from the Derby Lightweights on this service. Note the 3E shed code (Monument Lane) on the bufferbeam. Michael Mensing.
Two Met-Camm DMUs - the closest a three-car with allocation 3E painted on the solebar - in Birmingham New Street with a Lichfield service in mid-1958. Michael Mensing.
Two Met-Camm triple DMUs in Gravelly Hill station working the 5.30pm Lichfield (TV) - Birmingham (NS) service on 23 August 1958. Closest is M50333, just under six months old, and 3E painted on the buffet beam which was the code of its home depot Monument Lane at the time. It's partners are presumably M59126 and M50315. Michael Mensing.
A London Midland Region publicity image showing a Met-Camm DMU after arriving into Lichfield City on a service from Birmingham. Date unknown. British Railways.
M50312 on the end of a Met-Camm formation in Birmingham New Street station in mid-1960. Lichfield is on the destination blind. Michael Mensing.
A Met-Camm triple DMU set in platform 4 of Birmingham New Street on 28 March 1961. Lichfield is on the destination blind. Michael Mensing.
DMCL M50330 is at the front of a six-car Met-Camm formation (two triples) forming the 5.22pm Birmingham New Street - Lichfield service on 15 April 1961, seen awaiting departure from platform 5 of New Street. Michael Mensing.
Steam loco 44124 hauls a goods train past a Metro-Cammell triple set in Lichfield station on 3 March 1962. The DMU will depart with the 2.34pm service to Birmingham New Street. Michael Mensing.
Two three-car Met-Camm DMUs depart Birmingham New Street station platform 4 forming the 1.22pm service to Lichfield (City) on 24 March 1962. Another Met-Camm - which appears to be M51183 - waits to depart for Rugby. Michael Mensing.
Met-Camm DMBS M50313 seen in Birmingham New Street with a Lichfield service sometime in 1963. Stuart Mackay Collection.
With signs that the station reconstruction has began, a Met-Camm triple set arrives into Birmingham New Street on August 8, 1964, led by M50310, with the 1.34pm ex-Lichfield. Note that neither of the power cars is carrying the BR crest. Michael Mensing.
The 4.22pm Birmingham New Street - Lichfield City service is seen just after departing Wylde Green station on 7 April 1965. It is formed of a three-car Met-Camm DMU led by DMCL M50325. Michael Mensing.
M50304 is at the front of set TY401 seen leaving Shenstone with the 4.47pm Lichfield City - Birmingham New Street service on 4 March 1970. Michael Mensing.
Class 116 DMBS arriving at Blake Street in early 1973. Michael Mensing.
In the spring of 1973 two Class 116 DMUs are seen at Shenstone with a Lichfield City service. Closest is set TY518 - 50098 and presumably 59018 + 50056. Michael Mensing.
Bedford - Bletchley
Bedford - Northampton
Bedford - London
Birmingham - Derby
Birmingham - Four Oaks
Birmingham - Lichfield
Birmingham - Rugeley
Blackpool Sth - Kirkham & Wesham
Bury - Bacup
Bury - Rawtenstall
Carlisle - Barrow
Carlisle - Silloth
Carlisle - Skipton
Coventry - Birmingham
Derby - Matlock
High Wycombe - London
Leamington Spa - Nuneaton
Leicester - Birmingham
Leicester - Nottingham
Llandudno - Blaenau Ffestiniog
Manchester - Accrington
Manchester - Buxton
Manchester C. - Chester N.
Manchester - Hayfield
Manchester - Macclesfield C.
Manchester - Macclesfield H Rd.
Manchester - Leeds
Manchester - Rochdale
Manchester - Royton
Manchester - Stoke-on-Trent
Nottingham - Derby
Oxford - Cambridge
Penrith - Workington
Preston - Blackpool - Fleetwood
Preston - Colne
Shrewsbury - Aberystwyth
Shrewsbury - Wolverhampton
Watford - St Albans
Whitehaven - Workington - Carlisle