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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.

1986

22nd March 1986 - The Don & Tees

The BLS organised tour originated at Sheffield and visited the Darlington and Middlesborough areas.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.

The Don & Teesimage 5048

54192 at Darlington. Chris Lings.

The Don & Teesimage 5049

54199 at Boulby Mine. Chris Lings.

22/03/86 - The Wiltshire Wanderer

A BR tour that did two trips from Andover using a Class 117 (set L427).
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.

The Wiltshire Wandererimage 16981

The tour at Dinton. Adrian Nicholls.

The Wiltshire Wandererimage 21333

At Andover. Robert Thomas.

The Wiltshire Wandererimage 26568

At Dinton. Stuart Mackay Collection.

The Wiltshire Wandererimage 30307

Departing Andover. Stuart Mackay Collection.

30th March 1986 - Highland Fling 2

Organised by Hertfordshire Rail Tours this was a loco hauled long weekend tour with an optional DMU tour on the Sunday from Edinburgh using a 116 and 101.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.

Highland Fling 2image 16982

AT Longannet signal box. Adrian Nicholls.

5th April 1986 - The Risca Cuckoo

Originating from Newport, this Monmouthshire Railway Society tour was formed of three 3-car sets.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.

The Risca Cuckooimage 823

At Newport Dock Street. Shayne Lewis.

The Risca Cuckooimage 824

At Oakdale Colliery. Shayne Lewis.

The Risca Cuckooimage 825

At Rose Heyworth Colliery. Shayne Lewis.

26/04/86 - Plymouth Railway Circle

A Plymouth Railway Circle with two Class 118 DMUs.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.

Plymouth Railway Circle image 28339

On the Saltash Bridge. Keith Miller.

Plymouth Railway Circle image 28566

The two sets at Laira depot. Keith Miller.

03/05/86 - The Mayflower

A Branch Line Society tour from Plymouth using the British Telecom liveried Class 118 DMU (also used the next day on the BLS Cornishman tour).
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.

The Mayflowerimage 30003

At Gunnislake. Stuart Mackay Collection.

04/05/86 - Cornishman

A Branch Line Society tour from Plymouth using the British Telecom liveried Class 118 (also used the day before on the BLS Mayflower tour).
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.

Cornishmanimage 29113

At St Ives. Stuart Mackay Collection.

1986 - Brentford Branch Special

Bubble 55020 was hired by the GWR Preservation Group for shuttles along the frieght only Brentford line. Exact date unknown...

Brentford Branch Specialimage 822

55020 carrying a large 'Brentford Branch Special' headboard. Chris Adams.

21st June 1986 - The Vectis Velocipede

Organised by Hertfordshire Rail Tours, taking two Class 105s from Stevenage to Portsmouth. The two sets switched order for the return journey, the green set was leading on both legs (53359 at the front on the outward journey and 54122 on the return).
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.

The Vectis Velocipedeimage 5989

In Surrey, as the tour heads through Epsom station. Iain Reid.

The Vectis Velocipedeimage 5990

Heading away from Epsom station towards Ashtead. Iain Reid.

The Vectis Velocipedeimage 5991

Passing through Warnham station. Iain Reid.

The Vectis Velocipedeimage 5992

E51284 tails passing through Warnham (between Horsham and Dorking). Iain Reid.

The Vectis Velocipedeimage 22416

54122 at Portsmouth Harbour. Dave Warby.

The Vectis Velocipedeimage 22417

53359 faces 54442 at Portsmouth Harbour. Dave Warby.

The Vectis Velocipedeimage 22418

51284 at Portsmouth Harbour ready for the return journey. Dave Warby.

The Vectis Velocipedeimage 22419

54122 at Portsmouth. Dave Warby.

The Vectis Velocipedeimage 22420

At Epsom. Dave Warby.

The Vectis Velocipedeimage 22428

At Willesden Junction High Level. Dave Warby.

The Vectis Velocipedeimage 22429

At Clapham Junction. Dave Warby.

The Vectis Velocipedeimage 22430

Inside 54442. Dave Warby.

The Vectis Velocipedeimage 22431

54442 at Portsmouth Harbour after the arrival of the outward leg. Dave Warby.

The Vectis Velocipedeimage 22432

53359 at Portsmouth Harbour after the arrival of the outward leg. Dave Warby.

The Vectis Velocipedeimage 22532

At Alexandra Palace. Dave Warby.

The Vectis Velocipedeimage 30243

At Chichester. Lewis Bevan.

28th June 1986 - The Thame Phoenix

Organised by Hertfordshire Railtours, these were a series of shuttles between High Wycombe and Thame that ran on Sat 28th and Sun 29th. Two bubble cars were in use - 55006 and 55033 on the Saturday but the first trip was operated by a Class 115.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.

The Thame Phoeniximage 20767

The two bubbles at High Wycombe prior to working the shuttles. Robert28194.

The Thame Phoeniximage 20768

55033, having arrived from Thame, waits to cross to the down side to form the 12.50 departure to Thame. Robert28194.

29th June 1986 - The Thame Phoenix

Organised by Hertfordshire Railtours, these were a series of shuttles between High Wycombe and Thame that ran on Sat 28th and Sun 29th. Two bubble cars were in use - 55006 and 55033, one operated five returns the other four.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.

The Thame Phoeniximage 17245

55006 approaching the station and crossing at Bledlow. Julian Heard.

The Thame Phoeniximage 17246

55006 passing the former station at Bledlow. Julian Heard.

The Thame Phoeniximage 17247

55006 about to cross the crossing beside the former station at Bledlow. Julian Heard.

The Thame Phoeniximage 17248

55033 in Thame station. Julian Heard.

The Thame Phoeniximage 17249

55033 in Thame station. Julian Heard.

The Thame Phoeniximage 17250

55033 departing from Thame. Julian Heard.

The Thame Phoeniximage 17251

55006 at High Wycombe. Julian Heard.

The Thame Phoeniximage 17252

M55006 passing through Princes Risborough. Julian Heard.

The Thame Phoeniximage 17253

M55006 passes the signal box at Princes Risborough. Julian Heard.

The Thame Phoeniximage 20558

M55006 at High Wycombe. Alistair Ness.

The Thame Phoeniximage 20559

M55006 at High Wycombe. Alistair Ness.

The Thame Phoeniximage 20560

55033 in Thame station. Alistair Ness.

The Thame Phoeniximage 20561

55033 at Thame. Alistair Ness.

The Thame Phoeniximage 24299

At High Wycombe. Dave Warby.

The Thame Phoeniximage 24300

At . Dave Warby.

The Thame Phoeniximage 24301

At High Wycombe. Dave Warby.

The Thame Phoeniximage 24302

At High Wycombe. Dave Warby.

The Thame Phoeniximage 24303

At Interior. Dave Warby.

The Thame Phoeniximage 24304

At Detail. Dave Warby.

The Thame Phoeniximage 24397

The 12.35 To High Wycombe at Thame. Dave Warby.

The Thame Phoeniximage 24398

The 12.50 ex-High Wycombe arrives at Thame. Dave Warby.

The Thame Phoeniximage 24399

55033 with the 13.35 to High Wycombe at Thame. Dave Warby.

The Thame Phoeniximage 24401

The 12.35 To High Wycombe at Thame. Dave Warby.

The Thame Phoeniximage 24402

The 12.35 To High Wycombe at Thame. Dave Warby.

The Thame Phoeniximage 24403

55033 at Saunderton heading towards Princes Risborough. Dave Warby.

12th July 1986 - Fen Tiger

A Hertfordshire Railtours / Southern Electric Group tour starting from Reading with two Class 117 sets.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.

Fen Tigerimage 826

Seen at South Lynn, 51404 (L424) closest. Chris Lings.

Fen Tigerimage 5053

At Kings Lynn, 51389 at the front. Chris Lings.

Fen Tigerimage 16224

51404 closest at Kings Lynn Bentinck Dock. Adrian Nicholls.

Fen Tigerimage 22322

At Wisbech. The KDH Archive.

Fen Tigerimage 30785

At Whitemoor. Phil Bevan.

23rd August 1986 - The Clyde Forth

A Branch Line Society tour that ran from Glasgow Central around branches in the Glasgow and Edinburgh areas with 116/120 and 120/101 hybrid sets.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.

The Clyde Forthimage 3893

At South Leith, the train running about an hour late at this time. Alan Rintoul.

The Clyde Forthimage 16546

At Menstrie Sidings. Adrian Nicholls.

The Clyde Forthimage 17655

Approaching Old Kilpatrick on the remains of the Caledonian's Lanarkshire & Dunbartonshire route. alicia hartman.

The Clyde Forthimage 17656

Crawling round to Old Kilptrick. alicia hartman.

The Clyde Forthimage 17657

Between Dalmuir Riverside and Old Kilpatrick. alicia hartman.

The Clyde Forthimage 17658

On the Caledonian L & D overbridge spanning Dumbarton Road in Clydebank. alicia hartman.

The Clyde Forthimage 22700

At Hawkhead. Brian Ward.

The Clyde Forthimage 22701

At Milngavie. Brian Ward.

The Clyde Forthimage 22702

At Milngavie. Brian Ward.

The Clyde Forthimage 22703

At Milngavie. Brian Ward.

The Clyde Forthimage 22842

At Clydebank. Brian Ward.

The Clyde Forthimage 22843

between Clydebank and Old Kilpatrick. Brian Ward.

The Clyde Forthimage 22844

At Old Kilpatrick. Brian Ward.

The Clyde Forthimage 22845

At Old Kilpatrick. Brian Ward.

The Clyde Forthimage 22846

At Clydebank. Brian Ward.

The Clyde Forthimage 22847

At Menstrie. Brian Ward.

The Clyde Forthimage 22848

At Menstrie. Brian Ward.

The Clyde Forthimage 22849

An unknown stop. Brian Ward.

The Clyde Forthimage 22850

At an unknown stop. Brian Ward.

The Clyde Forthimage 24359

At Old Kilpatrick. alicia hartman.

30th August 1986 - The Mancunian Railtour

A RCTS tour from Leeds around the Manchester area, formed of 101 and half engine 111 power twins 53171 + 51222 / 78720 + 78970.
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.

The Mancunian Railtourimage 5754

At Buxton, 53171 in the company of 52060 and 53636. Andrew J Crowther.

The Mancunian Railtourimage 5755

E51222 and E53171 at Penistone during a 40 minute wait for a late running Hudderfield service. Andrew J Crowther.

The Mancunian Railtourimage 5756

E53171 and E51222 at Penistone during a 40 minute wait for a late running Huddersfield service. Andrew J Crowther.

The Mancunian Railtourimage 10951

Passing Blackwell Mills. Andrew J Crowther.

The Mancunian Railtourimage 10952

Passing Hazel Grove High Level. Andrew J Crowther.

The Mancunian Railtourimage 10953

New Mills Viaduct. Andrew J Crowther.

25th October 1986 - The Cynheidre Curler

A Monmouthshire Railway Society tour from Cardiff using two Class 117 sets (L402 + L414).
The tour on Six Bells Junction website.

The Cynheidre Curlerimage 16269

At Clydach-on-Tawe. Adrian Nicholls.