DMU Operations: London Midland Region
Watford - St Albans
Diesel units were introduced to the services on 25 July 1955 using the ACV/BUT railcars. These had first been trialed over the line during a two-week period in July 1952.
These would be replaced by Derby Lightweights, and then from August 1968 Class 105s. Class 103s and 122s would also appear. In the early 1980s Class 104s arrived from Newton Heath and Longsight replacing the 105s. In 1988 Class 108s took over, in the 1990s 121s and 117 power twins could be found on the services, by the end of decade the services were electrified.
Sets were allocated to Watford until 1965 when the vehicles were supplied by Bletchley depot.
Sample Timetables
1st July 1957 until further notice
Cover only shown
2nd November 1959 (until further notice)
Card, 2 3/8" x 4 1/2" when folded
12th June 1961 (until further notice)
Card, 2 3/8" x 4 1/2" when folded
10th September, 1962 (and until further notice)
Card, 2 3/8" x 4 1/2" when folded
Scan courtesy of Chris Bull.
17th June, 1963 (and until further notice)
Card, 2 3/8" x 4 1/2" when folded
12 May 1980 until further notice
This booklet measured 2 7/8" x 4 1/8"
Download (6mb pdf)
See pages 56-59.
Images
15th March 1956
ACV railcar M79742 in Watford Junction station on 15 March 1956. This was originally number 1 when it began trials in 1952, renumbered when taken into BR ownership in January 1955. It would be allocated to 1C for its short BR career, withdrawal was in February 1959. Stuart Mackay Collection.
2nd September 1962
The St. Albans Abbey branch train in Platform 10 at Watford Junction with driving trailer M56166 (Park Royal/1957) nearest the camera. 2 September 1962. John Cosford.
2nd September 1962
Looking out from a Park Royal DMU entering Platform 10 at Watford Junction on the branch train from St. Albans Abbey, 2 September 1962. John Cosford.
2nd September 1962
A Park Royal 2-car DMU leaving St. Albans Abbey station for Watford on 2 September 1962. There are four signals here as the Great Northern Railway opened a connecting line from Hatfield in 1865 which meant that there were two possible routes out of the station. The GNR line closed to passengers in 1951 and to freight in 1968. John Cosford.
2nd September 1962
A Park Royal DMU at St. Albans Abbey station at the end of the branch line from Watford Junction on 2 September 1962. The station was built by the London & North Western Railway in 1858. John Cosford.
Unknown date
A Derby Lightweight DMU arrives into a busy Garston station on the St Albans Abbey branch, date unknown. Ian Dinmore/railarchive.org.uk.
circa late 1960s
A Cravens set sits in the bay platform at Watford Junction, circa late 1960s. Steve Davies Collection.
25th September 1969
A Cravens DMU (one of the small batch with the blanked off top lamp) at St Albans Abbey with the 11:22 to Watford Junction on 25 September 1969. Tom Burnham.
Unknown date
With Watford on the destination blind, a Class 105 is seen in the snow during its stop at Bricket Wood station. Date unknown. Steve Davies Collection.
11th March 1970
Cravens Class 105 with a St Albans Abbey train at Watford Junction on 11 March 1970. Note the chimneys and smoke from the gasworks visible above the wagons. Dave Warby Collection.
7th February 1971
The Abbey Line (or St Albans Abbey Branch Line) runs from Watford Junction to St Albans Abbey railway station and the 6.5-mile route passes through both town and countryside. The 25kv electrified service is currently operated by London Midland class 321 units but on 7th February 1971, long before electrification, Bletchley-allocated Cravens unit No.50394 - 56146 forming a Watford to St Albans service drops a single passenger at Park Street and Frogmore station. Gordon Edgar.
circa 1972
A Cravens DMU in Watford Junction station with a service for St Albans circa 1972. John Law.
Unknown date
A Cravens set in Watford North station. Date unknown. Steve Davies Collection.
18th January 1975
A two-car Cravens set approaches Watford North station and the level crossing over Bushey Mill Lane, working from St Albans Abbey on 18 January 1975. The factory on the left is the old Blaw Knox works which had closed back in the 1960s. The area on the left is now occupied by an industrial estate, totally screened from the railway by trees. On the billboards to the right is an advert for The Electric Scots. Kevin Lane.
24th August 1975
A none too clean Cravens 2-car set pauses at Bricket Wood station, whilst working the 13.30 Watford to St Albans Abbey on 24 August 1975. Kevin Lane.
12th January 1980
A two-car Class 105 DMU formed of M56145 + M50388 sits in Watford Junction station with a St Albans Abbey service on 12 January 1980. Brian Daniels.
12th January 1980
M56145 + M50388 waiting to work to Watford at St Albans Abbey on 12 January 1980. Brian Daniels.
12th January 1980
M56145 + M50388 in Watford Junction station after arriving from St Albans Abbey on 12 January 1980. Brian Daniels.
10th June 1980
50388 with 56145 at St Albans Abbey. Phil Bidwell.
July 1980
Working from Watford Junction a Cravens unit is seen at St Albans Abbey in July 1980. Ian Buck.