DMU Operations: Western Region
Birmingham - South Wales
Swindon Inter-City DMUs, then Cross-Country DMUs (mainly the Swindon type), were used on this route. Occassionaly other types such as Class 116s were noted.
The DMUs took over on 17 June 1957 running from Birmingham Snow Hill via Stratford-upon-Avon to Cardiff and Swansea. From the summer 1958 timetable additional services were added to Cardiff via Hereford, and some of the Swansea services were extended to Carmarthen.
Sample Timetables
Commencing Monday 17th June 1957
6 1/4" x 10"
Commencing Monday 17th June 1957
5" x 7 1/2"
12th August to 15th September 1957
6 1/4" x 10"
Commencing Monday 9th June 1958
4" x 9"
2nd March to 14th June 1959
4" x 9"
To 12th June 1960
3 3/4" x 8 3/4"
12th September 1960 to 11th June 1961
Only cover shown
12th June to 10th September 1961
3 3/4" x 8 3/4"
11th September 1961 to 17th June 1962
3 3/4" x 8 3/4"
18th June to 9th September 1962
3 3/4" x 8 3/4"
Images
17th June 1957
On the first day of the Birmingham Snow Hill - South Wales diesel service - Monday 17th June 1957 - W79087 is at the head of the 12.25pm to Cardiff General (via Stratford-upon-Avon). As the clock shows the departure is delayed as had to back out from platform 12 where it was behind another 3-car set that may have failed, or it was just at the wrong end of an incoming set. Michael Mensing.
20th June 1957
A 3-car Swindon Inter-City set with buffet car is seen near Widney Manor on the 8.30pm from Birmingham Snow Hill - Cardiff General on the 20th June 1957, the first week of services. It would reach its destination at 11pm. Michael Mensing.
circa June 1957
A Swindon 79xxx series Inter-City trailer first vehicle circa June 1957 at Birmingham Snow Hill showing the roof board. The passenger accommodation was in compartments, one compartment having a door on both sides as an alternative to a stretcher window. Stuart Mackay Collection.
23rd September 1957
On the 23rd September 1957 a 6-car Swindon Inter-City set is seen taking the north west curve at Honeybourne with the 12.25pm Birmingham Snow Hill - Cardiff General service, diverted via the MR route to Cheltenham. Michael Mensing.
circa 1958
A Swindon Inter-City DMU forms a Birmingham to Swansea service leaving Cheltenham Malvern Road circa early 1958. The leading vehicle appears to be W79094. British Railways.
9th March 1958
The 9.0am Swansea (High Street) - Birmingham (Snow Hill) is seen at Evesham on the 9th March 1958. Worked by a 79xxx Swindon Inter-City set, this was a Sunday diversion via Cheltenham. Michael Mensing.
15th March 1958
Swindon Cross-Country DMBC W50701 gets some attention at Birmingham Snow Hill on March 15, 1958. It will depart on the 3:40pm to Swansea (Swansea was Saturdays only, other days it just went to Cardiff) via Stratford-upon-Avon. The other set was the 12.10pm ex-Cardiff. Michael Mensing.
22nd March 1958
W50701 (with tail lamp) leads the stock to form the 6-car 3.40pm to Swansea (Swansea was Saturdays only, other days it just went to Cardiff) via Stratford-upon-Avon into Birmingham Snow Hill on the 22nd March 1958. Note that coach letters are carried, 'A' being visible between the cab and first passenger windows. Michael Mensing.
22nd March 1958
Two Swindon Cross-Country sets drawing into Birmingham Snow Hill (away from the camera) as empty stock to form the 3.40pm to Swansea via Stratford-upon-Avon, 22nd March 1958. Michael Mensing.
22nd March 1958
Two new six-car Swindon Cross-Country sets at Birmingham Snow Hill on 22nd March 1958. On the left is the 3.40pm to Swansea, right is the 12.10pm from Cardiff. These trains ran via Stratford-Upon-Avon. Note the letters carried on the side of the set on the right, the 'C' is just behind the driver's door. Michael Mensing.
29th March 1958
The 5.5pm Birmingham Snow Hill - Swansea High Street approaches Acocks Green on 29th March 1958. Formed of two three-car Swindon Inter-City sets, the rear containing a buffet car. The closest power car in the second set - the fourth vehicle - is back to front as the van was adjacent to the van on these sets. Michael Mensing.
30th March 1958
A 6-car Inter-City formation (a 3-car with buffet and a 3-car without) leaves Evesham with the 9.00am Swansea High Street - Birmingham Snow Hill on March 30, 1958. This was a Sunday diversion on the Midland Railway route via Cheltenham. W79088 leads. Michael Mensing.
30th March 1958
Three Swindon Cross-Country DMUs form a Birmingham Snow Hill - Swansea High Street service seen at Hinton on the Evesham - Ashchurch line, a diversion due to engineering works. Michael Mensing.
20th May 1958
The 3.05pm Carmarthen - Birmingham Snow Hill service approaches Widney Manor on 20 May 1958. It is formed of two three-car Swindon Inter-City DMUs, the first with a buffet car. Michael Mensing.
11th June 1958
Two Swindon Cross-Country DMUs form the 12.25pm Birmingham Snow Hill - Cardiff service seen passing Acocks Green on 11 June 1958. W50655 leads - note the 'C' just behind the cab door denoting the coach for seat reservations. Michael Mensing.
September 1958
A Swindon Inter-City DMU, W79092 closest, in Cardiff station in September 1958 with what is likely a service for Birmingham Snow Hill. Stuart Mackay Collection.
1959
A Derby suburban triple DMU seen in Handsworth & Smethwick station looking south east towards Snow Hill. Cardiff can just be seen on the destination blind, this is probably one of two sets from the 508xx series transferred from Cathays to Tyseley circa late 1960 which had they two digit headcode panel rather than the four marker lamp arrangement that the other Tyseley sets did. Peter TANDY.
22nd April 1959
The 5.5pm Birmingham Snow Hill - Swansea High Street service is seen just past Acocks Green on April 22nd, 1959. It is formed of GRC&W (closest) and Swindon built Cross Country sets. Note the Swindon vehicles have far fewer roof vents than the GRC&W equivalent. Michael Mensing.
31st May 1959
GRC&W and Swindon Cross-Country sets seen at Henley-in-Arden on the North Warwickshire line with the 9.00am Swansea - Birmingham Snow Hill service on 31 May 1959. Michael Mensing.
19th June 1960
A Swindon and GRC&W Cross-Country DMUs are seen north of Malvern Link with the 5.40pm Cardiff General - Birmingham Snow Hill service on Sunday 19 June 1960. Michael Mensing.