DMU Operations: North Eastern Region
Darlington-Saltburn
DMU took over services a number of steam services on 19 August 1957 (as well as Darlington-Crook and Darlington-Richmond) working to steam timings.[1]
The 27 3/4 mile route was shared with several other services as far as Middlesbrough and also the coastal service to Whitby.
The stations on the line in the First Generation DMU period were:
The DMUs ordered for the route were thirteen four-car Met-Camm sets (batch 2c).
Their use was expanded with the winter timetable on 16th September 1957. They now operated all services running half hourly from 5.15am to 11.15pm and would cover the journey, with ten intermediate stops, in an hour[2]. Passenger numbers increased by 28% in the first year and receipts went up by 40%[3].
The DMU sets were supplied by Darlington depot until it closed in May 1984, and Met-Camms were the main type used. In later years 104s, 108s and 110s would be noted in the services as seen in the images below.
Sample Timetables
Amended issue from 4 January 1971 until 2 May 1971
This measured 8 3/4" x 3 3/4" when folded (with the green Paytrain Guide panel as the front and the map as the rear), 8 3/4 x 15 3/8 when open.
Images
circa August 1957
A North Eastern Region publicity image showing four two-car Met-Camm DMUs ready to leave Darlington for Saltburn, circa August 1957. Note the small plate with '10' on one of the lamp brackets. The Saltburn services had been dieselised from 19 August 1957. British Railways.
circa late 1960s
A four-car Met-Camm set in Saltburn station, circa late 1960s. TCL E59540 (note the 'N' has been painted over) and the far DMS (presumably 51513, see image 17347) still have the original lining, the other centre car which appears to be a darker shade or green is in the revised style, the DMBS at the edge of the frame on the right is in blue. Graham Clark.
September 1972
A Met-Camm DMU awaits departure from Saltburn in September 1972. The composite vehicle closest has first class totem transfer in the first window, and no yellow stripe. The DMBS is E50155. Mel Smith.
September 1972
A two-car Met-Camm DMU departs from Saltburn station for Darlington in September 1972. DMBS E50155 is closest. Mel Smith.
September 1972
A two-car Met-Camm set in Saltburn station in September 1972. Mel Smith.
28th February 1975
A four-car Class 101 DMU in Saltburn station with the 15:55 service to Darlington on 28 February 1975. DMSL E50162 is closest. Robert Thomas.
March 1976
Saltburn station, built by the Stockton and Darlington Railway (later North Eastern Railway) 1861-62, architect William Peachey, 03/76. The main platform is on the left; in 1863 it was extended into the North Eastern's Zetland Hotel at the rear of the station platforms. On the extreme left and to the right of the church is the excursion station of 1870. On the right can be seen the side of the frontage of the main station building, built at right angles to the platform. The Class 101 Metro-Cammell dmu is bound for Darlington. Hugh Llewelyn.
March 1976
Saltburn station, built by the Stockton and Darlington Railway (later North Eastern Railway) 1861-62, architect William Peachey, 03/76. The main platform is on the left; in 1863 it was extended into the North Eastern's Zetland Hotel at the rear of the station platforms. On the extreme left and to the right of the church is the excursion station of 1870. On the right can be seen the side of the frontage of the main station building, built at right angles to the platform. The Class 101 Metro-Camm dmu is bound for Darlington. Hugh Llewelyn.
5th June 1976
A Class 101 DMU is seen at Saltburn, awaiting return to Darlington, on Saturday 05/06/1976. The DMBS is noted as E50152. Graeme Phillips Collection.
23rd June 1976
Two 2-car Class 101 DMUs on the approach to Saltburn with the 1.20pm from Darlington on June 23rd, 1976. Michael Mensing.
23rd June 1976
The 1.20pm Darlington - Saltburn service approaches its destination on June 23, 1976, formed of two 2-car Class 101 DMUs. Michael Mensing.
August 1976
A Class 101 DMU, led by vehicle no. E50294, is seen leaving Darlington with a service for Saltburn in August 1976. Graeme Phillips Collection.
Unknown date
A couple of Met-Camm twins in Saltburn station, circa early/mid-1970s. Stuart Mackay Collection.
4th November 1978
A mixed livery Met-Camm set at Darlington on November 4th, 1978. E51205 is in plain blue, its partner is in the white with blue stripe refurbished livery. The set will depart with the 3.16pm service to Saltburn. Michael Mensing.
1979
A Class 101 arrives at Darlington in 1979. Although a rather grainy slide, careful inspection reveals an unusual Tyne & Wear Transport logo just behind the secondman's door. It also appears there may be one on the rear car in the same position. Graeme Phillips Collection.
1979
A refurbished Met-Camm set in Saltburn station in 1979. John Law.
4th September 1979
A two-car Class 101 DMU in refurbished livery and window bars on the DTCL passenger doors is seen in Darlington station with a Saltburn service on 4 September 1979. Brian Daniels.
18th October 1980
E50591 + E59233 + E59215 + E50564 working the 1721 Darlington-Saltburn at Thornaby on 18/10/80. Darlington DMU depot gained some of these BRCW 104 class units displaced from South Gosforth by the first phase of the Tyne and Wear Metro. Most were withdrawn from Darlington in 1981. John Carter.
2nd November 1980
On November 2nd, 1980, E50751 + E59085 + unknown DMBS closest are seen with the 11:25 SuO Saltburn - Darlington service at Redcar Central. John Carter.
16th November 1980
E50188, E59092, E50266 at Thornaby on 16/11/1980 with a Saltburn - Darlington service, diverted via the goods lines due to engineering work. John Carter.
References
- ⋏ "New Diesel Trains in Darlington Area" p202 16 August 1957 The Railway Gazette
- ⋏ p277 October 1957 Railway Observer (Railway Correspondence and Travel Society)
- ⋏ Email Neil Dahlgaard-Sigsworth to Stuart Mackay 18 July 2021