Class 116 Derby 3-car Suburban DMUs

Parcel Use

1960s conversions

At the start of 1966 Bristol set BL309 (51137 + 59447 + 51150) had all the passenger seats removed (except one back to back pair in each coach) to allow it to carry newspapers. When noted in London Paddington on February 8th each coach was marked with the destination of its contents: Didcot, Bath and Bristol.

In September 1966 two Cardiff sets moved to the London division without their trailers. They would have thier seats removed and become sets L341 (50862/50915) and L342 (50819/50872) in plain blue livery lettered 'Parcels Service'.

They would be found working as single units carrying individual set numbers and generally supporting the two Class 128 parcel units (55991/2), often with a BG or two in tow, on parcels duties out of Paddington. The image shows 50915 paired with 55992 at Reading circa 1969. Both cars carry set No 343. 53A Models of Hull Collection.

In April 1968 the Bristol set moved to Leith depot in Scotland. It returned to Bristol in July 1969 where the power cars would become the 'Railair Express Parcels' set, working with two GUV vehicles sandwiched between them. The set was withdrawn in October 1972.

When TOPS class numbers were introduced the parcels sets were classified as Class 130s.

The next image shows a two-car parcels set at Paddington on 5/9/72. The lack of seating can be clearly seen through the windows. John Reddyhoff.

Ater the Railair set was withdrawn the two specially wired GUVS became the center car in a 116/128 combo. Ones is shown at Langley in 1976. On the GUV note the gap between "Rail" and "Express Parcels" where "Air" used to be. Ian McDonald.

In 1977 50862 and 50872 (October) and 50915 and 50819 (November) were converted back to passenger use and allocated to Tyseley.

1980s conversions

When the Class was being withdrawn in the 1980s cars a few DMBS were converted for parcels use, the only alterations to these cars were the removal of seats.

Withdrawn in October 1985, 53051 and 53072 would be paired with Class 120 DMBCs 51786 and 51785 respectively and allocated to Chester. They would be withdrawn in mid-1988.

The images shows 53072 carrying Red Star branding at Leeds on 27th June 1986 with 51785. Malcolm Clements.

When withdrawn from Old Oak in October 1987 53083 and 53820 were the next conversions, however this was shortlived as they returned to NSE passenger use as L307 in June 1988.