DMU Operations: London Midland Region
Leicester - Nottingham
Services were introduced on 14 April 1958 alongside Nottingham-Derby services with connections at Trent for Derby-Leicester journeys. These were 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:
Services End
Services ended on the Leicester London Road - Nottingham Midland route in March 1968 and on the Leicester Central - Nottingham Victoria route in May 1969.
Sample Timetables
The first cover has Nottingham - Leicester, the remainder were reversed to be Leicester - Nottingham.
14th April to 8th June, 1958
This measured 4 3/4" x 6 1/2" when folded.
15th September, 1958 until further notice
This measured 4 3/4" x 6 5/8" when folded.
13th June to 11th September inclusive, 1960
Cover only shown
Now also included Leicester Central - Nottingham Victoria.
12th September, 1960 to 11th June, 1961
Cover only shown
6th November, 1961 to 17th June, 1962
This measured 5 1/8" x 6 3/4" when folded.
17th June to 9th September 1963
This measured 5 1/4" x 6 3/4" when folded.
Images
29th April 1967
The arrival of the 11.02 to Nottingham at Leicester Central, April 29th 1967. Photo by Adam Jones. It is formed of a Derby Etches Park BRC&W DMU set. The DMCL is an early repaint into blue livery with a small yellow panel on the cab front. Bryan Jeyes.
29th April 1967
The 11.02 to Nottingham departs from Leicester Central on 29 April 1967. Photo by Adam Jones. It is formed of a three-car BRC&W DMU, two vehicles (the DMBS and centre car 59155) in green and the DMCL in blue. Bryan Jeyes.
10th February 1968
A Nottingham bound BRC&W DMU at Leicester Humberstone Road Station, 10th February 1968. Bryan Jeyes.
24th February 1968
Syston station, Leicestershire, looking north on 24th February 1968 with a BRC&W DMU. Bryan Jeyes.
3rd March 1968
A three-car DMU calling at Syston on the last day of local trains between Leicester and Nottingham on 3 March 1968. Syston would re-open in 1994, but without the station buildings, which would be moved to the Midland Railway at Swanwick. Closest is a BRC&W vehicle, the others are Cravens, the rear vehicle still in green. The other end is show in image 17548. Photo taken by Michael Brown. Kevin Lane Collection.
3rd March 1968
Syston station thought to be on the last day of local trains between Leicester and Nottingham, 3 March 1968. The departing train is formed of a green Cravens DMBS, a blue Cravens TCL, and a blue BRC&W DMCL (see image 15433). The station was to re-open in 1994. Photo taken by Michael Brown. Kevin Lane Collection.
Unknown date
Swindon Cross-Country Class 120 DMU set EP 524 (53719 and presumably 59295 + 53689) in Leicester station with a Nottingham service. Date unknown, sometime between 1983 (when it was renumbered in the 53xxx series) and September 1985 (withdrawal). Stuart Mackay Collection.
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)