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Vehicle 56502 / 54502

Class 108

Builder: BR Derby Works
Layout: Low Density
Length: 57ft
Coupling Code: Blue Square
Coupling Type: Screw
Gangway Type: LMS
Lot Number: 30602
Diagram: 646

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 51919 during the unknown period are:

11/06/60	New to	6G (Llandudno Junction)
4w/e 31/12/60	Transferred to	8H (Allerton)
Sep-63	Depot code change	8J

Then the allocations for 56502 are:

3w/e 27/05/72	Transferred to	6A (Chester)
06/05/73	Depot code change	CH
Feb-84	Transferred to	NH (Newton Heath)
07/08/85	Withdrawn from	NH (Newton Heath)

The vehicle carried the following numbers:

56502 - original number
54502 - from Apr-83 (53xxx / 54xxx change)

Modifications

Jan-72 - AWS fitted

Disposal

Scrapped by Texas Metals, on location at Red Bank carriage sidings

Some sample formations the vehicle has been noted in:

51919	56502	As delivered to 6G - 11th June 1960
51917	56502	Noted 19/12/67 - at Manchester Exchange¹
51919	56502	Transfer to 6A - 3w/e 27/05/72
51919	56502	Noted 18/04/73 - at Chester²
51919	56502	Noted 04/09/74 - at Chester²
51919	56502	Noted 31/07/76 - at Aberystwyth²
51919	56502	Noted 10/09/76 - in Chester station²
51919	56502	Noted Sep-76 - at Crewe¹
51203	56502	Noted 12/08/1977³
51203	56502	Noted 12/09/77 - at Aberystwyth²
51175	56502	Noted 18/12/77 - in Cockshute depot
51919	56502	Noted 22/10/1980 - Working the 1430 Llandudno Junction to Llandudno⁴
51919	56502	Noted circa 04/1981³
51193	56502	Noted circa 05/1982³
51186	54502	Noted circa 06/1983³
51917	54502	Noted circa 10/1983³
51917	54502	Transfer to NH - Feb-84 - from CH

Formation Sources
1: Leonard Rogers
2: Gerald Brown
3: Eddie Knorn
4: Shayne Lewis

Images:

19th May 1979

A Chester allocated Class 108 DMU with DTCL M56502 closest at Machynlleth on 19 May 1979. David Mant.

The vehicle is mentioned in the following images:

Date: August 1977

In the days when the DMU service to and from Wrexham terminated at Birkenhead North, a hybrid Class 101/108 2-Car set (probably 51200 + 56502) was awaiting custom in August 1977. The Class 101 is in the short-lived 'refurbished' white livery, whilst the Class 108 still carries Rail Blue. Notice the ornate wooden seat under the canopy. Today the Wrexham service only runs as far as Bidston, and is usually operated by Arriva Trains Wales Class 150/2 Sprinter DMUs. Martyn Hilbert.

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