20th June 1965

M51593 heads the 12 noon St Pancras - Luton, seen to the south east of Luton on Sunday 20th June 1965. Michael Mensing.

August 1975

A Class 127 DMU rattles into Luton from St Pancras in August 1975. Another set can be seen in the sidings on the left. Kevin Lane.

1977

A Class 127 DMU with Luton on the destination blind is seen at Belsize Tunnel in 1977. Brian Daniels.

Unknown date

A Class 127 DMU arrives into Harpenden with a Luton service, date unknown. Phillip Malin.

Unknown date

A Class 127 DMU arriving into Luton station, date unknown. Phillip Malin.

7th November 1978

A Class 127 DMU in St Pancras station on 7 November 1978. Tony Watson.

30th December 1978

A class 116 unit enters Radlett on a St Pancras service on 30th December 1978. Ian Buck.

circa May 1979

A Class 127 DMU, the vehicles recorded as 51607 + 59594 + 59641 + 51624, is seen at Cricklewood on a Luton service. The slide process date was May 1979. Stuart Mackay Collection.

12th April 1981

Four-car Class 127 lead by 51599 followed by 59632, 59606 and 51591 on the bank behind Scratchwood Services on the M1, on 12 April 1981. Robert Chilton.

3rd May 1982

A Class 127 led by M51603 arrives into Harpenden with a service to Luton on 3 May 1982. Stuart Mackay Collection.

13th May 1983

A Class 127 DMU at St Pancras waiting to form the 0957 to Luton on 13th May 1983, 51607 closest. David Scott.

4th July 1983

Luton on the evening of Monday 4th July 1983. The Conqueror and the (almost!) Conquered. The old faithful Class 127 on the left has worked in on the 17:45 from St Pancras, terminating at Luton. Alongside is the relatively new 317 313 on the 18:04 St Pancras – Bedford service. These EMUs didn’t get off to a very good start. As the first Driver Only Operated trains on British Rail, industrial relations delayed their introduction. Then, when they eventually did enter service, various teething troubles came to light. To address these issues some units were taken out of service for modifications and emergency timetable had to be put in place. This involved 313s from the Eastern Region working out of St Pancras, some services reverting to Class 45 haulage with BR Mk1 coaches and the Class 127s enjoying an extended life for a few months. Eventually the 317s settled down and gave very reliable service for a few years... and then someone dreamed up Thameslink. Brian McDevitt.