DMU Operations: London Midland Region
Manchester - Royton
Royton station was on a short branch from the Oldham Loop line, DMUs were introduced as part of the Manchester Part Two Scheme.
The Manchester Part Two Scheme covered South East Lancashire and the the first part was introduced on Monday 9 June 1958 covering Manchester Victoria, Oldham, Royton and Rochdale. Cravens power twins were used (allocated to Newton Heath) — the extra power was required for the 1 in 59/49 out of Victoria station and the long 1 in 50 to Oldham (Werneth).
A folded leaflet was made available to the public promoting the new trains on the route:
Newton Heath would receive other power twins such as Class 108s and Class 112s which would also operate the services.
A notable incident was in February 1961 when a DMU failed to stop at the station crashing into a neighbouring house.
Passenger services ended in April 1966 (more details of the Disused Stations website).
Sample Timetables
The timetable was shared with services to Oldham, Rochdale and Todmorden.
18th June to 9th September, 1962
This measured 4 3/4" x 6 1/2" when folded.
9th September, 1963 to 14th June, 1964
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.
June 14, 1965 to April 17, 1966
This measured 4 3/4" x 6 1/2" when folded.
Images
8th February 1961
Taken soon after the accident at Royton on 8/2/61, 51701 on the left and its DMC hard against it. Richard Greenwood.
8th February 1961
The DMC involved in the Royton accident on 8/2/61 after it had been pulled back from M51701. Richard Greenwood.
8th February 1961
M51701 embedded into 13-15 High Barn Street, Royton, on 8/2/61. Richard Greenwood.
8th February 1961
DMBS M51701 on the left and its DMC on the right, taken in High Barn Street, Royton, 8/2/61. Richard Greenwood.
8th February 1961
The badly damaged M51701 after the collision at Royton on 8/2/61. It would be repaired and returned to traffic. Richard Greenwood.
8th February 1961
M51701 in the rubble of 13-15 High Barn Street, Royton, on 8/2/61. Richard Greenwood.
8th February 1961
By midday on 8/2/61 a ramp had been built to the left to lift M51701 into Royton station. Richard Greenwood.
8th February 1961
M51701 is being slowly moved to the left towards the ramp that will take it up to Royton station, 8/2/61. Richard Greenwood.
Circa mid-1960s
A (Blue Square) Derby Lightweight DMU departs from the Royton platform at Royton Junction in the Manchester direction on a rainy day in the mid-1960s. Stuart Mackay Collection.
7th August 1965
Rolls-Royce powered Cravens twin set M51706 + M51685 waits to leave Royton with the 13.45 (SO) departure to Manchester on 7 August 1965. The short line to Royton Junction on the Oldham Loop line closed on 16 April 1966. Scanned from a 6x9cm negative taken by Brian Barlow, copyright of the Industrial Railway Society. Kevin Lane Collection.
17th February 1966
Two two-car DMUs in Royton station with the 5.08pm service to Manchester Victoria on 17 February 1966. Closest is a (blue square) Derby Lightweight, the rear set is a different type possibly a Cravens. The station closed two months later. Robert Thomas.