Staff Training
Mobile Instruction Train
Derby Works created three of these "Motive Power Diesel Instruction Car" trains converted from former LMS passenger stock:
4A Model Car (DM395225) with 4B Lecture Car (DM395226) for the Eastern Region
5A Model Car (DM395227) with 5B Lecture Car (DM395228) for the London Midland Region
Train six (numbers unknown) was for the North Eastern and Scottish Regions.
This concept was not a new idea as there had been similar trains for steam, and these presumably accounted for trains 1-3.
The three trains were completed in 1957, but had been in planning for some time. A 17/11/55 memo to the British Transport Commission Works & Equipment Committee asked for £36,000 to create the three trains, £28,000 for the conversion work and £7,500 for models etc. This was approved on 23/11/55.
The plan shows the layout of the Cinema and Lecture Car.
On 6/12/56 they were noted as being almost complete at Derby being in the paint shops, but there were delays with items such as the generators. On 10/7/57 train 4 was based between Ilford and Stratford, train 5 between Derby and Willesden, and train 6 was expected to be completed at Derby on 20/8/57.
Interior colours of the vehicles:[1]
| Model Cars | Model Room | Eau-de-nil green |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Room | Duck green | |
| Cinema Cars | Instructors Room | Buff with black skirting |
| Corridor | Eau-de-nil green | |
| Theatre | White enamel to waist Red dividing line at waist Blue matt below |
|
| Ceiling | White Enamel |
The following images are from the Derby Works collection and show the ER vehicles DM395225/6. They were finished externally in lined maroon:
Negative 57/620
Exterior view of the two converted ex-passenger coaches. The ducting for a Smiths heater and a small fuel tank can be seen under the closest vehicle.
Negative 57/621
Inside the Model Car showing the mainly DMU components, some sectioned, and some diagrams on the wall explaining how they worked. The heater ducting under the table is for a Smiths heater on the left and steam heating on the right. Through the door at the far end was a Lister generator for power.
Negative 57/622
Inside the Model Car. The sliding door at the end went to the lecture vehicle. At either side of the door are mock-ups of driving desks, a 350hp shunter on the left and (hidden) a DMU on the right.
Negative 57/623
The Lister diesel powered generator inside the Model Car, the access door from the main room can be seen on the left. The fuel tank can be seen above.
Negative 57/624
Another view of the Lister generator, and the louvered double exterior doors of which there was a pair of on each side.
Negative 57/625
The controls for the generator inside the Model Car. There is a handle for manually pumping fuel to the tank above the engine, and a control panel for the Smiths heater.
Negative 57/626
The DMU drivers desk mock-up in the Model Car with working indicator lights.
Negative 57/627
The instructor accommodation inside the Lecture Car.
Negative 57/628
Cooking facilities in the instructor accommodation inside the Lecture Car.
Negative 57/629
The lecture room which seated 38, with moquette covered seats. The windows are uncovered for normal lectures.
Negative 57/630
In this view the seats have vinyl covers added to the seats, presumably to protect the moquette from oily overalls.
Negative 57/631
A view of the opposite end of the lecture room with the windows covered for a film presentation.
Negative 57/632
In this view there is either a slide and filmstrip projector or an epidiascope set up.
Negative 57/634
The two movie projectors (which were sound equipped).
1960s
An image of Model Car 5A (DM395227) can be found on Departmentals.com. It is undated, but prior to May 1961, and the vehicle on the left is presumably DM395228.
DM395228 (and presumably DM395227 on the left) were on display at Marylebone Goods Yard in May 1961 at an exhibition held to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Institute of Locomotive Engineers. They looked very smart, the Model Car carrying a coaching crest, perhaps they had been freshly painted?
In November 1963 it was proposed train 6 (now on the ScR) be re-equipped to training on diesel locomotives. In March 1964 it was proposed the three trains be brought up to date, along with train 2 (now half steam/diesel), and that train 1 be withdrawn and 3 be converted for training artisan staff on diesel and associated matters. In October 1964 it was proposed that trains 1, 2 and 6 be withdrawn, 3 and 4 be brought up to date and 5 retained for DMUs. Train 6 was withdrawn on 21/10/64 and train 2 a few days later on 24/10/64.
1970s
How long the remaining vehicles remained in use is unknown, I've been able to find a few other images of the vehicles on other websites:
Eastern Region
In July 1975 Model Car 4A (DM395225) was still on the Eastern Region noted at York now painted into plain blue. It is presumably still paired with DM395226 on the left of the image.
London Midland Region
Lecture car 5B (DM395228) survived until at least 1978 when it was noted at Derby Works. Its partner DM395227 was noted at Warrington Bank Quay in August 1979. Is the vehicle on the left DM395228?
If anyone comes across any others, or any other information on these vehicles, please let me know so I can add them here.