DMU Operations: London Midland Region
Birmingham - Lichfield
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.
Sample Timetables
5th March to 10th June 1956
4 3/4" x 6 1/2" when folded
30th September 1957 to 8th June 1958
4 3/4" x 7 1/4" when folded
15th September, 1958 to 14th June, 1959
Cover only shown
17th November, 1958 to 14th June, 1959
Cover only shown
2nd November, 1959 until 12th June, 1960
Cover only shown
14th March, 1960 until 12th June, 1960
4 3/4" x 7 1/2" when folded.
17th June until 8th September, 1963
Cover only shown
Images
Unknown date
M79121 leads a twin set with 'Lichfield via Four Oaks' on the destination blind, seen in Birmingham New Street, date unknown. Stuart Mackay Collection.
circa 1957
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.
circa 1957
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.
2nd March 1957
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.
7th May 1957
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.
21st June 1958
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.
mid-1958
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.
23rd August 1958
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.
Unknown date
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.
circa 1959
Birmingham New Street was a very different place in the late 1950's. In this photograph a very new looking Metro-Cammell DMU, later class 101, is just leaving for Lichfield. On the left 10202 is ready to depart for London, it has a been re-liveried from the original black into "Express Locomotive green" although the name, "tin-can", written in the dirt on the side does add an individual touch. Period touches include the signal box and mechanical signals, and the Brylcreemed trainspotter in shorts with his father the background has of course totally changed, if this angle were repeated today the skyline would have the Rotunda in it and the huge white arch over the new Bull Ring shopping centre. Image taken by Peter Shoesmith circa 1959. Geoff Dowling and John Whitehouse Collection.
mid-1960
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.
28th March 1961
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.
15th April 1961
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.
3rd March 1962
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.
24th March 1962
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.
1963
Met-Camm DMBS M50313 seen in Birmingham New Street with a Lichfield service sometime in 1963. Stuart Mackay Collection.
8th August 1964
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.
7th April 1965
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.
4th March 1970
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.
1973
Class 116 DMBS arriving at Blake Street in early 1973. Michael Mensing.