DMU Railtours
DMUs were surprisingly popular on railtours, particularly those that focused on the line travelled and not the motive power, as DMUs allowed access to many routes that a conventional loco-hauled tour couldn't easily manage.
This is not a definitive list of DMU railtours, simply a gallery of some of those tours. For a more detailed railtour site see the Six Bells Junction website.
Details of the regular "Quaintonian" trains that ran to the Buckingham Railway Centre have their own pages.
If you have any photographs that could be added here please get in touch.
1950s
15th September 1956 - The Little North Western
An joint RCTS / BR tour from Leeds City that visited Carnforth, Arnside, Penrith etc. using a 4-car Derby Lightweight set (79510 + 79326 + 79400 + 79153). It was the first RCTS tour using a DMU.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
E79510 closest, taken at Tebay. Stuart Mackay Collection.
At Arnside. Stuart Mackay Collection.
1958 - Lincolnshire Poacher
A tour with two Derby Heavyweight sets from Alford Town to Bowness-on-Windermere, out via Wakefield and Leeds and return via Lancaster, Preston and Accrington. Organised by enthusiast Mr. W. Woolhouse, it carried more than 250 passengers. Featured in the August 1958 Eastern Region staff magzazine.
The tour at Leeds Central station. British Railways.
30th May 1959 - Birmingham Area
A Stephenson Locomotive Society tour from Birmingham New Street, the first part used steam and the second part used two three-car Met-Camm sets.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
At Perry Barr North Junction. Michael Mensing.
11th July 1959 - South Wales Rail Tour
A 3-car Class 116 was used on this SLS tour from Cardiff General around various South Wales branches.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
During the stop at Waterloo Halt. Steve Davies Collection.
The participants shelter from the rain in Aberdare Low Level station. Steve Davies Collection.
At Fountain Bridge Halt. Steve Davies Collection.
12th September 1959 - West Midlands Rail Tour
A Stephenson Locomotive Society (Midland Area) tour originating at Stourbridge Junction using a Swindon Cross-Country DMU. Places it visited included Longville, Wellington, Coalport East, Minsterley, Coleham and Hartlebury.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
At Coalport East. Steve Davies Collection.