Towing capabilities of first-generation DMUs

[thesignalman]

Interesting formation at Slough 14/9/78, W50915, GUV, W55991, CCT, CCT. Photo: N L Cadge

John

Correction, date is 14/9/73.

 

[Gloster]

W50915 was one of four Class 116 (the others were W50819, 50862 and 50872) that had their seats removed in 1966 and as Class 130 were dedicated to parcels workings out of Paddington, hence the Parcels Service lettering on the side. It was supposed to have had seats refitted in September 1977, refurbished and sent to Tyseley in October 1977, and repainted white with a blue band in January 1978, so is the date correct?

If it is an earlier date, it is probably working a regular parcels train with one of the single unit Class 128 parcels cars substituting for a Class 130. I believe that a number of GUV vans were specially through-wired so that up to two could work between the power cars.

 

[Harpo]

I’m assuming (hoping!) that the GUV in that amazing lash-up was modified with through DMU cabling?

 

[Gloster]

W50915 was one of four Class 116 (the others were W50819, 50862 and 50872) that had their seats removed in 1966 and as Class 130 were dedicated to parcels workings out of Paddington, hence the Parcels Service lettering on the side. It was supposed to have had seats refitted in September 1977, refurbished and sent to Tyseley in October 1977, and repainted white with a blue band in January 1978, so is the date correct?

If it is an earlier date, it is probably working a regular parcels train with one of the single unit Class 128 parcels cars substituting for a Class 130. I believe that a number of GUV vans were specially through-wired so that up to two could work between the power cars.

I’m assuming (hoping!) that the GUV in that amazing lash-up was modified with through DMU cabling?

A slight correction to my above. The GUV had the through-wiring work done for a separate Railair Express Parcels service from Bristol to Hayes, but late moved over to use with the Class 130 and 128. This is probably one of them.

 

[Merle Haggard]

I remember a period in the late 70s when the 17:20 SuO WOS-PAD kept being formed of DMUs rather than a hauled set as usual. I think Hereford was failing to provide the stock or locomotive, so they cancelled it between Hereford and Worcester and ran the remaining portion using a bunch of DMUs cobbled together off Worcester shed. Dunno what the problem was at Hereford, but it went on for several weeks like that.

Only someone seemed to have the idea that since the usual stock would be a rake of 10 or more coaches, they had to do their best to match that capacity with the DMU replacement. So we would get a 9-car DMU set droning all the way to Paddington with 2 or maybe 3 people in each vehicle. (And arriving very late.)



6 rows of 3 lights, Engine No. 1, Air & Axle, Engine No. 2. "Axle" meaning that the (pneumatically-operated) final drive unit was correctly engaged.

However, although the indications for each power car were separate, the control was common, so it was possible to hook up more than 6 power cars and just do without the indications if you really wanted to. But 6 was (a) all you were ever likely to need and (b) the most you could reliably depend on to all respond to the controls (8 might work, but then again it might not), so 6 was the practical limit.

Thanks for the lights explanation.

On the subject of D.M.U. replacing loco hauled trains on the Western.; I recollect walking across Paddington 'lawn' on my way back to the office after lunch when I noticed repeated announcements about a service to the North West (Manchester, I think - in the days when some Cross Country services were extended to Paddington).

The announcements were 'Platform n for the --.-- service to Manchester. We are sorry that there is limited accommodation on this train'. It was followed by similar announcements ending '--- we are sorry that there is limited luggage accommodation' and then '--- we are sorry that there is limited toilet accommodation on this train) I wondered what stock could fulfil my imagined Venn diagram, took a look - and it was a 3 car Suburban set, very full and standing with suitcases stacked high on seats. One of Midland- Cross Country's long range 47s had expired terminally on the inward journey at Reading, Some credit for organisaing a replacement.

 

[Magdalia]

W50915 was one of four Class 116 (the others were W50819, 50862 and 50872) that had their seats removed in 1966 and as Class 130 were dedicated to parcels workings out of Paddington, hence the Parcels Service lettering on the side. It was supposed to have had seats refitted in September 1977, refurbished and sent to Tyseley in October 1977, and repainted white with a blue band in January 1978, so is the date correct?

All of these were in traffic at Tyseley by February 1978. 50819-59346-50915 were TS511 and 50862-59014-50872 were TS514.

They were part of the big influx of DMUs into Tyseley prior to the start of the Cross City service in May 1978.

 

[thesignalman]

W50915 was one of four Class 116 (the others were W50819, 50862 and 50872) that had their seats removed in 1966 and as Class 130 were dedicated to parcels workings out of Paddington, hence the Parcels Service lettering on the side. It was supposed to have had seats refitted in September 1977, refurbished and sent to Tyseley in October 1977, and repainted white with a blue band in January 1978, so is the date correct?

If it is an earlier date, it is probably working a regular parcels train with one of the single unit Class 128 parcels cars substituting for a Class 130. I believe that a number of GUV vans were specially through-wired so that up to two could work between the power cars.

Sorry - need to wash my eyes out, it was 14/9/73. Norman Cadge, the photographer, recorded details accurately but in the tiniest of print.

John