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Class 101 Met-Camm 2,3 & 4-car DMUs


Departmental use

Original Prefix NewSet No.Type Details From To
50167 DB977392DMBS Ultrasonic Test Train 4/89 8/08
50193 DB977898992 / 960992DMC Sandite / Route Learner 27/09/93 6/99
50197 ADB977652DMC Sandite / Route Learner 10/89 2/92
50200 DB977901994 / 960994DMBS Sandite / Route Learner 27/09/93 6/99
50203 DB977897992 / 960992DMBS Sandite / Route Learner 27/09/93 6/99
50208 DB977903995 / 960995DMBS Sandite / Route Learner 10/93 6/99
50222 RDB977693901002DMBS Lab Coach 19 - "Iris 2" 4/91 4/08
50231 DB977902994 / 960994DMBS Sandite / Route Learner 27/09/93 6/99
50246 DB977393DMBS Ultrasonic Test Train (not used) 2/87 7/93
50259 TDB977535DMBS Sandite / Route Learner 11/87 11/92
50290 ADB977651DMBS Sandite / Route Learner 10/89 2/92
50291 DB977904995 / 960995DMBS Sandite / Route Learner 10/93 6/99
50295 TDB977536DMBS Sandite / Route Learner 11/87 11/92
50308 DB977895991 / 960991DMBS Sandite / Route Learner 9/93 6/99
50320 TDB977537DMBS Sandite / Route Learner 11/87 15/01/88
50321 DB977900993 / 960993DMC Sandite / Route Learner 22/09/93 6/99
50331 DB977896991 / 960991DMC Sandite / Route Learner 9/93 6/99
50338 RDB977694901002DMC Lab Coach 19 - 28/08/91 4/08
51427 DB977899993 / 960993DMBS Sandite / Route Learner 21/09/93 6/99
51433 DB977391DMBS Ultrasonic Test Train 2/87 8/08
51464 TDB977607DMBS Route Learner 9/88 2/93
51525 TDB977608DMC Route Learner 9/88 2/93
56342 042222DTC Internal User 12/90 9/05

Ultrasonic Test Train

Ultrasonic Class 101 DMU stabled at Buxton

In 1987 a new Ultrasonic Test Train was built at Cardiff Cathays Works to replace the 1970 Derby Lightweight conversion. It used DMBS vehicles 51433 and 53167 with ex SR EMU car 62483 between, the new departmental running numbers becoming 977391 / 999602 / 977392 (set 960001). A third 101 vehicle (DMBS 53246, renumbered 977393) was acquired for conversion but in the event was not used, remaining at Cathays Works until its closure in 1990 and was then moved to Radyr to await disposal.

The image shows the set at Buxton on 22nd April 1993. It would carry a variety of liveries after the one shown; Serco grey / red, Railtrack green / blue and all-over yellow before withdrawal in 2008. Andrew J Crowther.

The power cars were also been noted running with the Mark 2f Track Recording coach 999550 in between.

Iris II

Vehicles 53222 (977693) and 53338 (977694) became "LAB 19" IRIS II in 1991, allocated to the Derby Technical Centre (code ZA). Initially they were in a two-tone grey livery, then painted into Serco colours, Railtrack lime green / blue, and finally Railtrack yellow. They were withdrawn in 2008.

Two-car Class 101 DMU Iris II painted in two-tone light grey

In London Victoria in the early 1990s. Chris Adams.

Two-car Class 101 DMU Iris II painted in grey and red with yellow end

At Crewe on 15 October 1998. Andy Cole.

Two-car Class 101 DMU Iris II painted in lime greem and blue with yellow end

At Carlisle on 21 March 2003. David Bellamy.

Two-car Class 101 DMU Iris II painted yellow

At Grantham on 18 December 2005. Nicholas Youngman.

Sandite and Route Learning Vehicles

At the end of 1987 three DMBS vehicles were converted for Sandite / Route learning use, along with three Class 111 DMBS vehicles. These were notable as they were the first DMU power cars converted for sandite use, all previous vehicles were driver trailers and probably loco hauled. They were also the first Eastern Region Sandite DMUs, and the first sandite DMU conversions to have a dual purpose.

977535 (ex-50259) + 977536 (ex-50295) would be based at Heaton, while 977537 (ex-50320) would be based at Neville Hill paired with Class 111 977538.

In time other vehicles would also be converted:

9/88: 977607 (51464)   977608 (51525) Route Learner only
11/90: 977651 (53290)   977652 (53197)  

And a further five sets in 1993, now with set numbers:

960 991:  977895  (53308)   977896  (53331)
960 992: 977897 (53203)   977898 (53193)
960 993: 977899 (51427)   977900 (53321)
960 994: 977901 (53200)   977902 (53231)
960 995: 977903 (53208)   977904 (53291)
Two-car Class 101 sandite DMU in station platform

The image shows sandite / route learner set 960 995 (977903 / 977904) at Bolton on 28 May 1994. 977903 still carries set number 88 from its Norwich days as 53208. S Gaskell.

Although not renumbered two Heaton sets were noted in route learning use in 1994:
53305 + 51246
51208 + 51221

Internal User

The only non-powered 101 vehicle to enter non-passenger use was DTC 56342 which became an internal user vehicle. It was used as an office in Neville Hill depot.

Serco tractor unit

NSE liveried set L842 (53314/53327) was used as a 'Serco tractor unit' circa 1998/9 to power 975010 Iris when its AEC engines became unreliable.