Vehicle 56175 / 54175

Class 104

Builder: BRC&W
Layout: Low Density
Length: 57ft
Coupling Code: Blue Square
Coupling Type: Screw
Gangway Type: LMS
Lot Number: 30297
Diagram: 585

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 50532 during the unknown period are:

Then the allocations for 56175 are:

The vehicle carried the following numbers:

56175 - original number
54175 - from Oct-83 (53xxx / 54xxx change)

Disposal

Scrapped by Vic Berry, Leicester

Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:

Formation Sources
1: Peter Wallwork
2: Leonard Rogers
3: Gerald Brown
4: Eddie Knorn

Images:

29th September 1979

A BRC&W class 104 DMU (M56175 closest) waits for it's departure time at Rose Hill (Marple) with a service to Manchester Piccadilly. Rose Hill was the first stop on the once on the through route from Marple Wharf Junc to Macclesfield a distance of 11 miles, which closed to all traffic on the 5th January 1970 (now the Middlewood Way footpath) with this short section to Rose Hill being retained. 29th September 1979. Andrew J Crowther.

29th September 1979

A BRC&W class 104 DMU led by M56175 rolls into Rose Hill (Marple) with a service from Manchester Piccadilly. Rose Hill was the first stop on the once on the through route from Marple Wharf Junc to Macclesfield a distance of 11 miles, which closed to all traffic on the 5th January 1970 (now the Middlewood Way footpath) with this short section to Rose Hill being retained. The track and platform on the opposite side have since gone only the platform I'm standing on and its track remain here now. 29th September 1979. Andrew J Crowther.

13th September 1980

In the days when the Coast Line from Kirkham to Blackpool South was still a double track railway, a Class 104 2-Car DMU with M56175 leading, calls at a run-down looking Lytham Station on 13th September 1980 whilst working the Kirkham to Blackpool South shuttle service. A far-cry from the days when this line was busy with express, residential and excursion traffic, how on earth in the smart and tidy town of Lytham was the station allowed to wither away like this. Worse was to follow - in 1983 the Coast Line was reduced to single track. Martyn Hilbert.

28th September 1985

As part of a joint BR/Steamport open day on September 28th 1985, a shuttle service from Southport station to the Steamport Museum at the former loco depot in Derby Road, was provided using a 2-Car Class 104 formed of cars M54175 & M53469. This was the view from Windsor Road footbridge, as having run from Southport station, and following a reversal in the headshunt alongside the former St Lukes station visible in the background, the 104 was running onto the access siding into Steamport. Martyn Hilbert.

The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:

Date: 28th September 1985

During a Steamport/BR Open Day on 28th September 1985 a shuttle service was run between Southport Station and the museum in the former MPD at Derby Road. A Class 104 DMU formed of cars 53469 & 54175 was used on the frequent shuttle and is seen here heading towards St Lukes, prior to reversing onto the Steamport running line. Martyn Hilbert.

Date: 28th September 1985

During a joint BR/Steamport exhibition/open day on September 28th 1985, a DMU shuttle service ran between Southport station and the Steamport Museum using a BRCW Class 104 2-Car DMU formed of cars M53469 & M54175. The unit had just passed under Windsor Road footbridge and was entering the Steamport siding en-route to the Museum. Martyn Hilbert.

Date: 9th November 1985

A BRC&W class 104 dmu M53469 & M54175 with Kirkham on the blind, which is in the other direction, rushes through the delightful station of Moses Gate heading towards Manchester Victoria on 9th November 1985, whilst my Dad and I wait hopefully for another train to stop. Andrew J Crowther.