Class 108 Derby 2,3 & 4-car DMUs
Works Photographs
Most of these images are part of the London Midland Region CM&EE series (also known as the Derby Works Collection) as they recorded the new builds.
Two-car Sets
Negative 58/690
DMBS E50619 circa early August 1958, probably on the Wirksworth branch. It was new to Hammerton Street on 18 August 1958.
Negative 58/754
Showing "Motor Open Second Brake. Interior of Brake Compt." It was a vehicle from lot 30406 and as it was paired with a DTCL it was likely to be a vehicle from the 50599-619 batch circa May 1958. This view is looking from the saloon end of the van through the gangway into the DTCL.
Negative 58/755
Showing "Motor Open Second Brake. Interior of Brake Compt." It was a vehicle from lot 30406 and as it was paired with a DTCL it was likely to be a vehicle from the 50599-619 batch circa May 1958. This view is looking from the gangway end of the vehicle towards the cab.
Negative 58/756
Showing "Driving Trailer Open Compo. Interior of 2nd Cl. Compt." It was a vehicle from lot 30409 which was the 56190-21 batch circa May 1958. This view looks in the centre saloon looks towards the rear.
Negative 58/757
Showing "Motor Open Second Brake. Interior of 2nd Cl. Compt." It was a vehicle from lot 30406 and as it was paired with a DTCL it was likely to be a vehicle from the 50599-619 batch in circa May 1958.
Negative 58/758
Showing "Driving Trailer Open Compo. Interior of 1st Cl. Compt." It was a vehicle from lot 30409 which was the 56190-21 batch circa May 1958.
Negative 59/54
Posed on the Wirksworth branch circa February 1959 are DMBS M50629 and DTCL M56215. They would initially be stored at Chaddesdon Sidings 'pending allocation', then transferred to Newton Heath in June 1959 to begin their working life.
Four-car Sets
Negative 58/751
Photographed at a spot on the Wirksworth branch commonly used for such images. Closest is DMSL E50633 then TBSL E59246, the TSL is presumably E59381 and the rear DMSL is presumably E50632.
Negative 58/752
Showing "Trailer 2nd Brake. Luggage Shelves." from a vehicle in Lot 30412, presumably E59381. The sliding gangway door is open.
Negative 58/753
Showing "Trailer 2nd Brake. Luggage Shelves." from a vehicle in Lot 30412, presumably E59381. The gangway door is closed.
The above set was listed as new to Hull Springhead (53C) on 1/10/1958 so these would have been taken circa late September 1958. There is a gap of over 100 negatives before the next images but with only six of these sets built and the last delivered in mid-October then these may in fact be the same set taken at the same time as the first three.
Negative 58/857
Showing "Motor Lavatory Comp. Int. 1st Cl. Compt." from a vehicle in Lot 30408.
Negative 58/858
Showing "Trailer 2nd Brake. Int. 2nd Cl. Compt." from a vehicle in Lot 30412.
Negative 58/859
Showing "Trailer Lavatory 2nd. Int. 2nd Cl. N.S. Compt." from a vehicle in Lot 30411.
The building seen on the left indentifies this as being taken in Duffield station.
Negative 58/860
Showing "Trailer Lavatory 2nd. Int. 2nd Cl. Compt." from a vehicle in Lot 30411.
Negative 58/861
Showing "Trailer 2nd Brake. Int. Brake Compt." from a vehicle in Lot 30412.
Negative 58/862
Showing "Trailer 2nd Brake. Int. Brake Compt." from a vehicle in Lot 30412.
Negative 58/863
Showing "Motor Lavatory Compo. Int. Driver's Compt." from a vehicle in Lot 30408.
Negative 58/864
Showing "Motor Lavatory Compo. Ext. Front End." from a vehicle in Lot 30408, probably taken on the Wirksworth Branch.
Others
These two images are from a 1959 British Tranport Commission 'Transport Age' magazine, scans courtesy of Mike Ashworth.
Alloy bodyside panels are being welded in the foreground. The two vehicles have their sides still in unpainted alloy, the steel cab front is in red oxide primer - the alloy frames of the windscreens still unpainted. The cab roof domes are made in white glassfibre.
A new set formed from two DMCL vehicles - possibly destined to become an ER four-car set? Sets in the Works were used for diesel driver training - could the staff by the cab be on such a course, the instructor having a clipboard? Behind is a Yellow Diamond Derby Lightweight.
Publicity Images
A ScR Publicity image showing brand new M51424 + M56279 at Morningside Road on the Edinburgh suburban circle, heading for Musselburgh. The vehicles were on loan from the LMR to Leith Central between March and October 1960. Courtesy of the AA McLean Collection.
A London Midland Region publicity image (negative D4878) showing a two-car set at Syston on the Midland Main Line. Closest is M56262, presumably paired with original partner M50979. The pair had a nomadic existence in their early years being allocated to Newton Heath, Bedford, Toton, Fleetwood, Newton Heath again then Buxton - all the first four years! The location suggests it was taken during its time at Toton which was December 1961 to May 1962.
A London Midland Region publicity image (negative D5656) showing a two-car set coming off the Runcorn (Ethelfleda) bridge at Widnes. The early stage of dismantling of the Widnes Transporter Bridge seen on the left dates this to circa late 1961 / early 1962. Courtesy of Diesel Unit Preservation Associates Limited.
A London Midland Region publicity image (negative D7247) showing a two-car set with a St Helens service at Warrington Bank Quay. Date unknown, image courtesy of Diesel Unit Preservation Associates.