Vehicle 79656
Derby Lightweight
Builder: BR Derby Works
Layout: Low Density
Length: 57ft
Coupling Code: Yellow Diamond
Coupling Type: Screw
Gangway Type: LMS
Lot Number: 30241
Diagram: 509
Allocations
The London Midland Region didn't publish trailer car details until late in 1968. Although not 100% reliable, if it is assumed that the trailers remained with the same power cars, the allocations for 79135 during the unknown period are:
| 03/03/56 | New to | 6G (Llandudno Junction) | |
| Sep-57 | Transferred to | 3E (Monument Lane) | |
| May-58 | Transferred to | 6G (Llandudno Junction) | |
| 3w/e 31/01/65 | Transferred to | 1E (Bletchley) |
Then the allocations for 79656 are:
| 5w/e 12/08/67 | Transferred to | 32A (Norwich) | - unpublished, 79135 went to 12B |
| P10/67 | Withdrawn from | 32A (Norwich) |
Notes
Easter 1956 - During the Easter (Easter Sunday was 1st April) sets M79135/79656, M79136/79657, M79143/79663 and M79147/79667 were noted working in the North Wales area.
Disposal
Scrapped by Bird Group, Long Marston
Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:
| 79135 | 79656 | As delivered to 6G - 3rd March 1956 | |||||||
| 79135 | 79656 | Noted April 1956 - working in North Wales | |||||||
| 79132 | 79656 | 79190 | Noted 30/06/65 - on Bletchley-Cambridge services1 | ||||||
| 79131 | 79656 | 79190 | Noted 23/08/65 - on Bletchley-Cambridge services1 | ||||||
| 79900 | 79131 | 79656 | Noted 02/09/65 - on Bletchley-Cambridge services1 | ||||||
| 79136 | 79656 | 79190 | Noted 23/10/65 - on Bletchley-Cambridge services as 7-car with 79901 + 79634 and 79132 + 796721 | ||||||
| 79187 | 79656 | Noted 19/04/66 - on Bletchley-Cambridge services1 | |||||||
| 79136 | 79656 | Noted 31/05/66 - on Bletchley-Cambridge services1 |
Formation Sources
1: Roy Endersby
Images:
circa early 1970
Derby Lightweight DTCL M79656 stored at Ipswich loco shed circa early 1970. For almost all its life it was an LMR vehicle, it would be transferred from Bletchley to Norwich - probably with 79133 in summer 1967 - it was withdrawn from that depot in October 1967 and would eventually be disposed of to the Bird Group at Long Marston in February 1973. It faces a Met-Camm "Lightweight". Tony Wilkins.
The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:
Date: circa September 1956
Derby Lightweight vehicles M79143 + M79656 are shown in this Derby Works image (negative 56/931) circa September 1956 presumably on the Wirksworth Branch as these often were. Neither vehicle is new, and it's a non-original pairing. M79143 is believed to have been new to Monument Lane with M79663 where they spent a few weeks before moving to Llandudno Junction. M79656 is thought to have been new to Llandudno Junction with M79135, and the new date on the end of the vehicle can be read as 14-5-56. British Railways.
Date: circa early 1970
Derby Lightweight DMBS 79133 at Ipswich loco shed. Circa early 1970 after withdrawal - note the missing wipers and glass from a marker lamp. 79656 is behind. Tony Wilkins.
Date: circa early 1970
Withdrawn 79133 (and 79656 on the right) at Ipswich loco depot circa early 1970. Tony Wilkins.
Date: circa early 1970
79133 at the front of a line of withdrawn yellow diamond Derby and Met-Camm Lightweight vehicles at Ipswich loco depot circa early 1970. The next vehicle in the line is 79656. Tony Wilkins.
Date: circa early 1970
A withdrawn Derby Lightweight set at Ipswich loco shed circa early 1970, with 79133 on the left and 79656 on the right. Tony Wilkins.