DMU Operations: London Midland Region
Crewe - Derby
DMUs were introduced to these services on Monday 16 September 1957. A special brochure was produced, as had been done for other services.
The new trains brought timetable improvements There were some half dozen more trains in each direction on weekdays, and three more on Sundays. Timings were based on an even-timed hourly service on weekdays and two-hourly on Sundays, with timings cut by some 27 mins compared with previous steam schedules[1]. The 51 miles, stopping at all stations, was covered in 87 mins.
Although not shown in the brochure or timetables, Marchington station (between Uttoxeter and Tutbury) was noted as reopening for passenger traffic for the DMU introduction, with five eastbound and six westbound services calling there[2]. This was shortlived, the station closed in 15 September 1958[3].
Initially three-car Class 104s would be used, allocated to Crewe, they would soon be joined by three-car Class 105s. In May 1969 Class 120s arrived at Derby from the Western Region and took over the services. In 1986 Sprinters replaced the first generation units.
The route was also served by other services such as Crewe - Lincoln.
Sample Timetables
16th September 1957 to 8th June 1958
4 3/4" x 6 1/2"
17th November 1958 to 14th June 1959
4 3/4" x 6 1/2"
12th September 1960 to 11th June 1961
Cover only shown
11th September 1961 to 17th June 1962
4 3/4" x 6 1/2"
9th September 1963 to 14th June 1964
4 1/2" x 6 1/2"
6 March 1967 to 5 May 1968
Cover only shown
6 May 1968 to 4 May 1969
Cover only shown
Images
26th March 1961
A three-car Cravens DMUs standing in Derby station after arriving with a train from Crewe 26th March 1961 on 26 March 1981. The DMBS is noted as M50779, a Newton Heath allocated vehicle normally formed in a power-twin. Keith Long.
19th August 1961
The driver looks happy to have his picture taken as he brings two BRC&W triples into Cresswell station on the 9.20am Crewe - Derby Midland service on a rainy 19 August 1961. Michael Mensing.
19th August 1961
Two BRC&W twins, M50537 leading, arrive into Leigh station with the 2.15pm Derby - Crewe service on 19 August 1961. Michael Mensing.
19th August 1961
M50442 leads two BRC&W triple DMUs seen near Bramshall Crossing, near Uttoxeter, on 19 August 1961. Michael Mensing.
Unknown date
A London Midland Region publicity image (Negative D7109) showing a three-car BRC&W set arriving at Uttoxeter with a Crewe service, possibly from Derby, date unknown. Image courtesy of Diesel Unit Preservation Associates Limited. British Railways.
27th February 1963
A London Midland Region publicity photograph (negative D7100) showing a three-car BRC&W DMU with a Crewe bound service at Uttoxeter on February 7th 1963. British Railways.
20th April 1966
A Cravens DMU with a Met-Camm centre car arrives into platform 2 of Derby Midland with a service from Crewe on Wednesday 20 April 1966. David Russon.
20th April 1966
A Cravens DMU in platform 2 of Derby Midland after arriving with a service from Crewe on Wednesday 20 April 1966. David Russon.
23rd April 1966
A Cravens triple set working the 5.57pm Derby - Crewe service seen south of Harecastle Tunnel on 23 April 1966. A few items of note: there are two DMBSs; the leading car - thought to be M50768 - is missing the lining between the cab windows; and the very light coloured roof of the TSL centre car which as a 1 on the closest door. Michael Mensing.
May 1967
A Cravens triple DMU in Derby Midland station in May 1967. Crewe is on the destination blind. David Russon.
May 1967
Two Cravens DMUs in Derby Midland station in May 1967. The triple set on the left is on a Crewe service, the twin on the right is on a Birmingham service. David Russon.
May 1967
Cravens DMCL M50793 in Derby Midland station in May 1967. Note Derby painted on the lower cab front, it was allocated to Etches Park. Another set is on the left, with a toilet and no exhaust, this will be a centre car. David Russon.
6th March 1976
A Class 120 DMU departs from Crewe on 6 March 1976 with Derby on the destination blind. The closest car seem to be M50678. Stuart Mackay Collection.
August 1978
M50502 leads a three-car Class 104 into Uttoxeter station on a wet day in August 1978. Michael Mensing.
August 1978
A three-car Class 104 DMU in Uttoxeter station in August 1978, with DMSL M50502 closest. It was allocated to Derby Etches Park. Michael Mensing.
August 1978
A Derby service is seen in Uttoxeter station in mid-August 1978. A set number - EP578 - can just be seen in the left cab window of the Swindon Class 120 Cross-Country DMU. Michael Mensing.
August 1978
A Class 120 DMU arrives into Uttoxeter station in mid-August 1978. Michael Mensing.
August 1978
With water streaming from the gutter of the closest cab corner of M50685 a Swindon Class 120 Cross-Country DMU arrives into Uttoxeter with a Crewe service in August 1978. The set number in the cab window seems to read EP581. Michael Mensing.
12th August 1978
A Class 120 DMU - possibly set EP355 - is seen with a Crewe service at Uttoxeter on 12 August 1978. Michael Mensing.
12th August 1978
A Swindon Cross-Country DMU forms the 5.30pm Derby-Crewe service seen in Stoke-on-Trent station on 12 August 1978. Michael Mensing.
References
- ⋏ p346 20 September 1957 Railway Gazette
- ⋏ p345 20 September 1957 Railway Gazette
- ⋏ "Marchington railway station" Wikipedia accessed 13 September 2024