DMU Operations: London Midland Region
Penrith - Keswick - Workington
This was the second stage of the West Cumberland scheme and services began on the 3rd January 1955 using Derby Lighweights allocated to Carlisle and Workington. The line passed through the north end of the Lake District and through Keswick, the former The Cockermouth, Keswick & Penrith Railway (CK&PR).
The line had some steep gradients. Typical vehicle acceleration obtainable through the gears when climbing a ruling gradient of about 1 in 300 enabled 15mph to be reached from rest in 10sec, 25mph in 30 sec, 30mph in 50 sec, 45mph in 2min 30 sec, 50mph in 3min 10sec and 55mph in 4 min 10 sec. On the long climb up the 1 in 63 east from Threlkeld 33mph could be reached and maintained in 3rd gear when carrying around 30 passengers. These figures were taken from a Derby Lightweight power car which engines had completed 15,800 miles and 27,800 since overhaul, the vehicle was still 88,620 miles from shopping, and was considered to be below average in general performance.
The image shows a LMR poster promoting diesel trains. Although not specific to the West Cumberland services - "among the lovely holiday areas served by London Midland diesel trains are English Lakeland and North Wales, where reasonably priced Day Trips and Runabout Tickets (in the season) help you to get around and about" it depicts Bassenthwaite Lake between Keswick and Cockermouth.
In the first diesel timetable the pattern of the service remained basically the same as the previous steam timetable with six trains daily each way, but with accelerated timings. The 46½ miles from Penrith to Workington was achieved in 80-86 minutes, as opposed to the previous 97-121 minutes. While there were no additional services, they were more evenly spaced, and all but one had the previous lengthy wait at Keswick eliminated. The 7.05am and 12.22pm from Workington worked through Penrith to Carlisle, and the 9.40am from Carlisle worked through as the 10:20am from Penrith to Workington, giving Keswick a much wanted through service to Carlisle.
The Summer 1955 timetable provided for three additional trains from Penrith to Workington and two in the opposite direction compared to Summer 1954, and also an additional Carlisle - Keswick service on Wednesdays & Saturdays.
A staff strike in June 1955 saw a two-car unit working an early afternoon turn between Workington and Penrith, and return.
By 1960 there were additional through trains from Carlisle to Workington via Penrith. Passengers had to detrain at Penrith while the set was shunted over to the Keswick line, which did not please them. However, following a complaint about this practice from a passenger after having to get out into the wind and rain while travelling on the 5.05pm appearing in a railway magazine, this was soon changed, allowing passengers to remain on board.
Workington - Keswick closure
On April 18th, 1966, the line from Workington to Keswick closed (the section from Keswick to Penrith remained open a few years longer). The Cumbria Railways website has a nice gallery of the line in its final days.
Replacement vehicles
In March 1969 Blue Square Derby Lighweights (later known as Class 108s) arrived at Carlisle to replace the Yellow Diamond Derby Lightweight vehicles.
Closure
The Penrith - Keswick section closed on the 6th March 1972, with the last passenger trains running on Saturday 4th.
Sample Timetables
13th June to 17th September 1955
2" x 4"
11th June to 16th September 1956
4 3/4" x 6 1/2"
12th June to 10th September 1961
4 3/4" x 6 1/2"
Images
7th July 1955
A LMR publicity image (negative D2818) showing a Derby Lightweight DMU arriving at Bassenthwaite Lake with a Penrith bound service on July 7th, 1955. British Railways.
7th July 1955
A LMR publicity image (negative D2823) showing a Derby Lightweight DMU arriving at Keswick station on July 7th 1955 with Workington on the destination blind. British Railways.
circa 1957
A LMR publicity image showing a Derby Lightweight DMU arriving into Bassenthwaite station circa 1957. British Railways.
29th August 1966
The well-loaded 10.06am Penrith - Keswick service departs from Troutbeck station on August 29, 1966, a bank holiday. Michael Mensing.
1967
A Derby Lightweight DMU arrives at Keswick station in 1967. The closest car is one of the original West Cumberland batch. David Hawkings.
18th June 1968
The 12.25pm Keswick to Penrith service is seen at Briery, east of Keswick, on 18 June 1968 led by DTCL M79645. Michael Mensing.
circa 1970
Keswick station, circa 1970, was a shadow of it's former self, like so many stations shortly to close it is dilapidated and uncared for. To the far right is the water tower from steam days, a sign on the left platform says Subway although there is no reason to cross. In the platform is the lone surviving working, an out and back from Penrith, Keswick was an intermediate station beween Cockermouth and Penrith, which was recommended for closure in the Beeching report. The line closed west of Keswick 18th April 1966 leaving an 18 mile branch to Penrith, and that was closed 4th March 1972. The left hand building of Kewick station is now looked after and is the start of a popular footpath along the old track bed. Geoff Dowling.
6th October 1970
A Class 108 set sits in Penrith station on October 6, 1970, while working a Keswick service. Steve Davies Collection.
19th December 1970
A Blue Square Derby Lightweight DMU in platform 4 of Penrith station with a service for Keswick on 19 December 1970. Stuart Mackay Collection.
19th December 1970
A Blue Square Derby Lightweight DMU approaches Troutbeck from the west with a Penrith - Keswick working on 19 December 1970. Stuart Mackay Collection.
4th December 1971
A Keswick to Penrith service is seen at Troutbeck on the 4th of December 1971, formed of a two-car Class 108 DMU. The KDH Archive.
4th December 1971
A Class 108 DMU seen in Keswick Station on the 4th of December 1971. The KDH Archive.
4th December 1971
Keswick Station, containing a Class 108 DMU, seen on the 4th of December 1971. The KDH Archive.
4th December 1971
A Class 108 DMU is seen at Keswick Station on the 4th of December 1971 prior to departure for Penrith. The KDH Archive.
circa February 1972
A Class 108 DMU believed to be near Threlkeld on the Penrith - Keswick branch with Clough Head in the background. Oddly Accrington is on the destination blind, the slide has a process date of February 1972. Stuart Mackay Collection.
8th February 1972
56241 and 50959 shortly after arrival at Keswick on 8th February 1972 with the 12.10 service from Penrith returning as the 13.15 specially extended to Carlisle due to late running of the 09.05 from Euston. Anthony Williams.
4th March 1972
The Penrith to Keswick branch closed on the 6th of March 1972, and this was taken on the 4th of March. It shows a general view of what was left of Keswick station at the time along with a Class 108 DMU waiting to depart for Penrith. The KDH Archive.
4th March 1972
The Penrith to Keswick branch closed on the 6th of March 1972, and this was taken on the 4th of March. It shows a Class 108 DMU and what was left of the station looking onwards from Keswick. The KDH Archive.
4th March 1972
The Penrith to Keswick branch closed on the 6th of March 1972, and this was taken on the 4th of March. It shows a Class 108 DMU and the view from Keswick onwards. The KDH Archive.
4th March 1972
The Penrith to Keswick branch closed on the 6th of March 1972, and this was taken on the 4th of March. Is shows the 11.05 Keswick to Penrith service leaving Threlkeld on its way up the stiff climb to Troutbeck station. The KDH Archive.