The following was submitted by Alfred Roberts. The Railcar Association cannot be held responsible for any of the contents:

Abstract

The "Park Royal Vehicles" '103' DMU were manufactured by a bus body designer and builder and delivered in 1958. The design was mechanically standard but the body was of a revolutionary design, 'integral' construction with the strength in the underframe [this was the principle used in the construction of the Mark 2 coach (1964-75), 310 and 312 EMUs, the 313, 315, 507, 508 EMUs, the Mark 3 coach (1972/6 - 1985) the 150 / 210 DMUs and the 317, 318, 321, 455 and 456 EMUs]. The body was constructed to the same principle as the 'Halifax' bomber used in WW11 and the 'RT' bus. The appearance of the DMU design is very distinctive, similar to the 1954 'Derby Lightweight' and BRCW '104' DMUs but with LMS side profile and a unique door design - BR design on LMS profile - Mk1 components (locks and mudguards) on a DMU door.

In the 1967 "National Traction Plan" of British Railways, which spelled the end for hundreds of old, non - standard or unsuccessful diesel and electric locomotives and diesel multiple units, the '103' DMU was classified as being of a non - standard body design although quite acceptable mechanically. The design had the unique LMS side profile so doors were quite different from the Mk1 profile used on other DMUs, the aluminiun window units were also unusual; however the design had standard AEC 150 hp engines and R15 transmission units and 'blue square' electrical systems. Withdrawls began in the early 1970s although as the years passed the National Traction Plan designation became increasingly meaningless and more '103' vehicles fell victim to the withdrawl of surplus DMU vehicles in the late 1970's. The design was eliminated from the North Wales Coast lines in 1981 and the final survivors were withdrawn from Machynlleth depot on the 'Cambrian' lines at the end of 1982. The '103' DMU had lasted nearly 25 years - longer than any other design of vehicle designated "non - standard" in 1967.

One DMU (DMBS M50396 - DB 975089 + DTCL M56162 - DB 975090 / later designated 'RDB') survived in departmental service until 1989, but it had to be scrapped because the asbestos insulation deteriorated.

The only "Park Royal Vehicles" Class '103' left are the DMU owned by the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group (DEPG) at Williton (DMBS W50413 + DTCL W56169) and the former departmental / 'Battlefield Railway' '103' (DMBS M50397 + DTCL M56160). This DMU was withdrawn from passenger service over
thirty year's ago on 17 February 1971. It then saw departmental service as the 'Viaduct Inspection Saloon' until it was sold to the then nascent 'Battlefield Railway' and arrived at Shackerstone on 19 July 1978.

The DMU was heavily modified during 'Departmental' service - the seats had been removed from DTCL M56160 and certain partitions from DMBS M50397. It was converted into two loco hauled observation saloons. The two 150hp AEC diesel engines and R15 transmissions were cut off DMBS M50397 and sold to
the 'West Somerset Railway'. Most of the control gear was removed. (DTCL M56160 retained four MU jumpers at sole bar, destination blind handle, and head code winder mechanism, control relay panel, and certain brake pipes below the cab desk, both had certain under floor wiring extent, DMBS M50397 lost part of it's control desk, both retained emergency brake and handbrake mechanisms and communication chord release mechanisms. The cabs were modified to improve forward view and stop entry. DMBS M50397 had both cab
doors replaced by fixed ex - LMS doors, and drivers partition and cab - passenger saloon door removed, thus creating a open space at driver's side. The bus seats were retained, and the vehicle repainted to a higher standard, used as a normal service vehicle. DTCL M56160 had the saloon - cab door removed, outer edges of partitions were replaced with handrails, the control desk was plated over with laminate coated wood and units built alongside the cab doors, which had lower hinges, handles and locks removed. The head code box was plated over, the rear second man's side windows had single panes fitted, the internal windows were reglazed with wooden panes and steam heating was fitted. The vehicle was repainted to a lower standard, fitted
with loose seats, tables, wall  -  to  - wall carpeting and used as a party vehicle.

The vehicles were withdrawn from service in the early 1990s. The DTCL M56160 remained complete but it was steadily deteriorating and it was only a matter of time before it had to be devastated by the asbestos stripping that had befallen DMBS M50397. It was operationally absolutely useless. There was no hope of the railway ever restoring the '103' DMU, or selling it - various societies had viewed the '103' DMU but all had gone away, so the railway decided to give the '103' DMU away to avoid the high cost (cia £7000 then, nearly £12000 at present) of sending it to a licensed breaker for disposal. It was advertised in 'Rail' (3 January 1996) for sale at a nominal sum of £1.00 which instantly made the obscure DMU famous! (Although this was the same nominal sum that the Cravens '105' DMU on the WSR was sold for, due to blue asbetos insulation). The magazine later reported the '103' DMU as sold to a Mr Northfield for use on the nascent 'Mid Norfolk Railway' (Wymondham (Abbey) - East Dereham - County School - Fakenham) as part of the ill - fated 'National Diesel Railcar Museum'.

Temporary storage for NDRM managed vehicles had already been arranged at the sidings of "Richard Johnston Co Ltd" at Snetterton (near Eccles Road station on the Norwich - Ely railway) and the '103' DMU moved from Shackerstone in March 1996, joining three other NDRM managed vehicles ('100' DMU 5118 + 56097 '111' buffet 59575). In February 1997 the NDRM project collapsed and at some stage since 1996 an organisation called the "Essex Railway Traction Group" appears to have had responsibility for the '103' DMU. In November
1997 a dispute arose between 'Essex Railway Traction Group' and 'Richard Johnston Co Ltd' over alleged rent areers. The removal of the '103' DMU to Coventry Railway Centre was then halted. The dispute led to a civil legal hearing at Southend County Court in summer 1999, the settlement reached was that no rent was payable by 'Essex Railway Traction Group' to 'Richard Johnston Co Ltd' in the absence of any written contract, the vehicles must be allowed to leave, and had to have left by 1 January 2000.

DMBS M50397 left Snetterton on 26 November 1999 and was moved to Coventry Railway Centre, since the NDRM collapsed the vehicle had deteriorated into deleriction and looked nothing like it had in 1996. Almost all the windows had been smashed, paintwork was peeling, several colours and rust was eating away part of one side, and a loose roof panel later blew off. The DTCL M56160 was still at Snetterton on 2 January 2000 after the deadline from Southend County Court for it's removal had expired.

The group decided to give away the DMU. An article about this sorry saga appeared in 'Rail' and shorter pieces in other magazines.

Nine month's late it left the sidings of 'Richard Johnston Co Ltd' in early October 2000. Members of the former 'Essex Railway Traction Group' kindly donated some of the money needed for transport costs, I sealed the vehicle and it moved to the site of the 'South Midland Railway Group' on 8 February 2001. Unfortunately the vehicle has recently been vandalised but it is being repaired slowly. 

The vandalised DTC.

Work on the DMBS M50397 continues, the vehicle has been repainted and cleaned out, doors obtained and the doors opened. Soon it will be reglazed.

The legal wrangles are a severe impediment as I cannot organise until the wrangles are resolved. Either a group of individuals, a society made up of membership, or a number of people, a society and several organisations could be organised. Substantial funding, skilled labour, parts sources and suitable facilities will be needed.