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.
1981
14th February 1981 - Rossendale Farewell
A railtour organized by David Isherwood, it was billed as the last passenger train up the Rossendale Valley (what is now the East Lancashire Railway). The tour originated from Manchester Victoria and ran to Rawtenstall by way of Cheetham Hill and a reversal in Castleton Station and the east to west curve at Castleton Jn. It returned to Manchester Victoria by using the west to south curve at Castleton Jn. and then the Cheetham Hill line as outward.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
At Bury Bolton Street, formed of M50794 (105 DMC), M59207 (104 TS), M50761 (105 DMBS) and M50453 (104 DMBS), M59161 (104 TC), M50505 (104 DMC). Andy Pullar.
At Ramsbottom. Martyn Hilbert.
M50505 at Ramsbottom. Martyn Hilbert.
50794 at Rawtenstall. Martyn Hilbert.
M50505 leading the six-car DMU formation slowly crossing over Bridge Street at Ramsbottom. Martyn Hilbert.
The view from the level crossing at Ramsbottom while awaiting the train crew to return from the signal box, having operated the gates and the rudimentary signals on this much rationalised railway. Martyn Hilbert.
At Rawtenstall, M50794 closest. Jeremy Chapter.
M50794 at the rear of the train at Bridge Street, Ramsbottom. Martyn Hilbert.
M50505 at Rawtenstall. Jeremy Chapter.
M50794 closest at Bury Bolton Street. Jeremy Chapter.
The lunch stop at Bury Bolton Street. Alistair Ness.
At Ramsbottom. Alistair Ness.
At Rawtenstall. Alistair Ness.
At Rawtenstall. Alistair Ness.
At Bury Bolton Street. Jeremy Chapter.
At Ramsbottom. Martyn Hilbert.
At Bury Bolton Street. Stuart Mackay Collection.
At Bury Knowsley Street. Harvey Scowcroft / Nigel Valentine Collection.
At Bury Bolton Street. Harvey Scowcroft / Nigel Valentine Collection.
At Ramsbottom. Harvey Scowcroft / Nigel Valentine Collection.
At Rawtenstall. Harvey Scowcroft / Nigel Valentine Collection.
4th April 1981 - Knotty Rambler
A David Isherwood tour Bury / Manchester Piccadilly using two class 104 triple sets.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
At Cheddleton. Alistair Ness.
At Cheddleton. Alistair Ness.
At Cheddleton. Alistair Ness.
At Cheddleton. Stuart Mackay Collection.
2nd May 1981 - Last Train to Brechin
Organised by Douglas Blades, this tour used a Class 101 (50239 + 59053 + 50245) set from Edinburgh. Class 122 55000 was added at Dundee for the trip to Brechin.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
Seen on the outskirts of Brechin. Hamish Stevenson.
55000 closest when seen on the Bridge of Dun - Brechin section. Hamish Stevenson.
50245 leading on the outskirts of Brechin. Hamish Stevenson.
50245 closest near Brechin. Hamish Stevenson.
50245 at the stops in Brechin station. S Saunders.
55000 and 50239 in Brechin station. S Saunders.
31st May 1981 - Farewell to the Wallingford Branch
Organised by BR, running from London Paddington with two Class 117 sets.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
At Wallingford. Brian Daniels.
At Wallingford. Brian Daniels.
At Wallingford. Brian Daniels.
Waiting to leave London Paddington. Brian Daniels.
4th July 1981 - The Fenbasher
Organised by Hertfordshire Railtours taking a Class 115 from St Pancras to the Kings Lynn area. It was re-run on July 25th 1981.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
Seen at Abbey and West Dereham in Norfolk. Jeremy Chapter.
At Middleton Towers. Jeremy Chapter.
At Middleton Towers. Jeremy Chapter.
Possibly on the Kings Lynn Docks branch. Jeremy Chapter.
Unknown location. Jeremy Chapter.
At Abbey and West Dereham. Jeremy Chapter.
At Peterborough. Stuart Mackay Collection.
At Middleton Towers. Stuart Mackay Collection.
At Kings Lynn Docks Gates. Stuart Mackay Collection.
At Kings Lynn Docks Gates. Stuart Mackay Collection.
11/07/81 - Morris Man
A Branch Line Society tour from Paddington using Class 117 DMU set L416.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
At Fisker Swindon. Stuart Mackay Collection.
At Fisker Swindon. Stuart Mackay Collection.
25th July 1981 - Strathmore Berry Picker
A tour that ran from Edinburgh Waverley - Forfar using set 378 (a 105/101/105 hybrid) with a Class 122 attached.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
In Forfar station. Mike Cooper.
The Class 122 leads the train at Glamis. Mike Cooper.
25th July 1981 - Wilts & Somerset
A joint RCTS / Southern Electric Group tour from Paddington using Class 117 set L416.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
At Cranmore, 51395 closest. Jeremy Chapter.
29th August 1981 - Ayrshire Wanderer
Day one of a two separate outings, this one covering Ayrshire branches using Class 107 set 428 starting / ending at Glasgow Central.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
At Hunterston Low Level Sidings. Jeremy Chapter.
At Ardrossan Harbour. Jeremy Chapter.
At Kilmarnock. Alistair Ness.
At Ayr Harbour. Alistair Ness.
At Ayr Harbour. Alistair Ness.
At the old Giffen station. Alistair Ness.
At Killoch Colliery. Alistair Ness.
Reflection at Hunterston Iron Ore Terminal. Alistair Ness.
A reflection of 52013 at Hunterston Iron Ore Terminal. Alistair Ness.
At Riccarton Oil Terminal in Kilmarnock. Alistair Ness.
At Shieldhall. Alistair Ness.
At Stevenston. Alistair Ness.
At Hunterston Ore Terminal. Jeremy Chapter.
At Hunterston Ore Terminal. Jeremy Chapter.
At Ayr Harbour. Jeremy Chapter.
30th August 1981 - Ayr & Stranraer
Day two of the Branch Line Society two day 'Scottish Weekend' was also known as 'Ayr and Stranraer', and took a 101/120 hybrid set from Glasgow Central to Stranraer.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
At Pinwherry. Jeremy Chapter.
At Girvan Goods. Alistair Ness.
Waiting to head south at Girvan. Alistair Ness.
At Barrhill. Alistair Ness.
At Glenwhilly. Alistair Ness.
At Stranraer Harbour. Alistair Ness.
At Girvan Goods. Jeremy Chapter.
At Stranraer Harbour. John Horne Collection.
04/10/81 - The Doncaster Double
A National Railway Enthusiasts Association loco-hauled tour from London Euston that included a visit to Doncaster Works and an open day at Barrow Hill. A Class 114 was photographed with the headboard in Chesterfield station - it is unclear of its involvement, possibly providing a shuttle into the depot?
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
At Chesterfield. David Slack.
24/10/81 - Mid-Anglia Rambler
A Fakenham & Dereham Railway Society tour from Ely / Cambridge using three-car Class 101 set 93.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.
At Barnwell Junction. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Near the end of the Sizewell branch at Leiston. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Near the end of the Sizewell branch at Leiston. Stuart Mackay Collection.