DMU Operations: London Midland Region
Manchester - Hayfield
DMUs were introduced to these services on June 17, 1957, the route being through Guide Bridge, Hyde Central, Romiley and New Mills Central.
The were initially operated by Gorton allocated Derby Lightweights, the allocation moving to Reddish in October 1959. By the mid-1960s Met-Camm Lightweights would also appear - both types having the Yellow Diamond coupling code.
By early 1967 Blue Square units had taken over, predominately BRC&W (Class 104) and Derby (Class 108) power / trailer sets allocated to Longsight, other types such as GRC&W (Class 100) would occassionaly appear.
The three mile branch from New Mills Central to Hayfield closed on Monday 5 January 1970, the last trains running on Saturday 3 January.
Sample Timetables
The timetable was shared with services to Macclesfield Central, the two routes crossing at Romiley.
17th June to 15th September 1957
This measured 4 3/4" x 6 1/2" when folded.
15th September 1958 to 14th June 1958
This measured 4 3/4" x 6 1/2" when folded.
11th September 1961, to 17th June, 1962
This measured 4 3/4" x 6 1/2" when folded.
18th June, to 9th September, 1962
This measured 4 3/4" x 6 1/2" when folded.
15th June to 6th September, 1964
This measured 4 3/4" x 6 1/2" when folded.
7th September, 1964 until further notice
This measured 4 3/4" x 6 1/2" when folded.
18th April 1966 to 5th March 1967
This measured 4 3/4" x 6 1/2" when folded.
If you have any timetables that could be added here please get in touch.
Images
20th December 1957
A Derby Lightweight led by M79175 departs from Manchester London Road with a Hayfield service on 20 December 1957. Stuart Mackay Collection.
19th June 1965
M79173 is the power car in this two-car Derby Lightweight set seen north of Strines on a Manchester - Hayfield service, 19th June 1965. Michael Mensing.
19th June 1965
Met-Camm Lightweight M79081 and trailer are seen north of Strines with the 5.00pm Manchester Piccadilly - Hayfield service on the 19th June 1965. Michael Mensing.
19th June 1965
A Met-Camm Lightweight set seen north of Strines on a Hayfield - Manchester service, 19th June 1965. Michael Mensing.
19th June 1965
The 5.57pm Manchester - Hayfield service is seen one mile north of Strines on the 19th June 1965, formed of Derby Lightweight and Met-Camm Lightweight sets. Michael Mensing.
3rd March 1966
A Derby Lightweight DMU is seen at New Mills with the 14:00 Manchester Piccadilly-Hayfield service on 3 March 1966. Robert Thomas.
August 1969
In August 1969 I read that the Great Central & Midland Railway branch line from New Mills to Hayfield in Derbyshire was going to be closed shortly so took time off from geological mapping near Hartington on the Derbyshire/Staffordshire border & travelled up by train from Buxton. This diesel multiple unit took me from New Mills and here it stands in Hayfield station after arrival. Hayfield station building was intact & quite a few passengers still used the service. So why close it? Allegedly to save maintenance of the tunnel just outside New Mills station. However, after closure the tunnel remained open because it was used to stable the dmu before returning to Manchester. So again why close it? Pete LG99.
August 1969
A (later) Derby Lightweight (M56484, set LT330) and a Cravens set sit in New Mills Central Station Derbyshire in August 1969. This photo looking northwest towards Manchester was taken from the classic GCR latticed footbridge. The station was the junction for the Midland Railway line to New Mills from Millers Dale via Chinley and the Hope Valley line to Sheffield. I had travelled on the soon-to-be-closed branch line to Hayfield & was now waiting for my connection back to Sheffield. By this time the Midland line beyond Millers Dale to Derby was closed. The dmu in the Down platform seemed to be stabled there for quite a while before heading back to Manchester Piccadilly. Pete LG99.
August 1969
M56484 paired with a GRC&W DMBS as set LT330 in the seen on be closed Hayfield station in August 1969. Pete LG99.
August 1969
M56484 paired with a GRC&W DMBS as set LT330 in the seen on be closed Hayfield station in August 1969. Pete LG99.
3rd January 1970
A rather dark photograph taken on a rather dark January day at 16.55hrs and certainly on a dark day for the railways in the area too. A Birmingham Railway Carriage & Wagon built class 104 and a Derby class 108 dmu stands at Hayfield station, situated at the end of the 2.5 mile branch from New Mills Central on the penultimate day of railway operations, 3rd January 1970. The track bed is now know as the popular Sett Valley Trail. Andrew J Crowther.