DMU Operations: London Midland Region
Birmingham - Derby
DMUs were introduced to the services on 14 April 1958 along with several other lines as part of the Derby-Nottingham-Leicester scheme.
Derby-Nottingham-Leicester scheme
The nineteen three-car Cravens (Class 105) sets were built for this services, and two three-car Met-Camms were transferred from the Birmingham Part 1 scheme for the launch of the services[1]. Originally used in other places first, all were reallocated to Toton depot (18A) for the launch.
The services included at the launch were:
- Nottingham - Derby
- Nottingham - Lincoln
- Nottingham - Leicester
- Leicester - Burton-on-Trent
- Leicester - Nuneaton - Birmingham New Street
- Birmingham - Derby
Sets were stabled at Nottingham and Leicester with one stayed overnight at Saltley carriage sheds. Trains running between Leicester & Birmingham displayed B7 on the route indicator and those on the Birmingham - Derby line B8 & B9.[2]
A folded leaflet was made available to the public promoting the new trains these services:
Three-car BRC&W (Class 104) sets would also soon become regulars on these services.
Sample Timetables
18th April 1966 to 5th March 1967
4 3/4" x 7 1/2" when folded
7 May 1973 to 5 May 1974
3" x 4 1/8" when folded
6 May 1974 to 4 May 1975
3" x 4 1/8" when folded
Images
April 1958
A 3-car Cravens set in Birmingham New Street with a Derby service in April 1958, M50792 closest. Michael Mensing.
18th April 1958
M50798 at the front of the 5.25pm service to Derby waiting to leave Birmingham New Street on the 18th April 1958. Michael Mensing.
18th April 1958
M50798 at the front of the 5.25pm service to Derby waiting to leave Birmingham New Street on the 18th April 1958. Michael Mensing.
18th February 1961
The 4.23pm to Derby awaits departure time in platform 7 of Birmingham New Street on 18 February 1961. DMBS M50475 is closest in the BRC&W triple set which was allocated to Toton at the time. Michael Mensing.
26th March 1961
M50791 departing from Derby with a train for Birmingham 26th March 1961. Keith Long.
5th May 1962
The staff of the 1.25pm to Derby have a chit chat at the cab of M50528 before departure from platform 8 of Birmingham New Street on the 5th May 1962. Michael Mensing.
24th October 1964
M50770 is at the front of a 3-car Cravens set in Birmingham New Street on October 24, 1964. It is standing empty at the end of platform 8, probably forming the 5.28pm to Derby. Michael Mensing.
April 1966
A three-car Cravens DMU seen with a Derby service near Sutton Coldfield during diversions in early April 1966. Michael Mensing.
15th October 1966
On October 15th, 1966 a three-car Cravens set leaves Birmingham New Street with a Derby service, M50796 at the front. Michael Mensing.
2nd March 1968
A Derby-bound three-car Cravens DMU in Saltley station on 2 March 1968. Bryan Jeyes.
15th February 1969
The aftermath of a three-car Cravens DMU working the 13:00 Birmingham-Derby service hitting a trailer loading with 2 1/2 tons of manure at Catholme crossing (at Wichnor Junction on the Birmingham to Derby main line) on 15 February 1969. The three vehicles came to rest forming a triangle, M50774 closest, M59322 left to right behind, and the mangled wreckage of M50799 (which looks like it was in blue with a yellow panel) on the left. All were withdrawn after the incident. Stuart Mackay Collection.
8th November 1975
A Class 104/120 hybrid DMU passing through the remains of Castle Bromwich station with the 9.39am Derby - Birmingham New Street service on November 8 1975. Michael Mensing.
23rd July 1977
A Class 101 DMBS is standing in for a Class 116 DMS in set TY545 when seen on the 15:07 Birmingham New Street - Derby at Water Orton on 23 July 1977. Michael Mensing.
13th March 1978
With Birmingham on its destination blind, a Swindon Cross-Country set heads away from Derby station led by DMS M50677 on March 13th, 1978. Rex Holt.
References
- ⋏ Diesel Railcars - Allocation of Vehicles, Appendix B, 11 March 1958 minutes of the Diesel Trains Committee
- ⋏ p137 May 1958 Railway Observer (Railway Correspondence and Travel Society)