British Rail Metro-Cammell Lightweight

In 1955, Metropolitan Cammell produced its first lightweight diesel multiple units, the prototypes of what were to become British Rail's most successful and longest-lived First Generation DMU type, the Class 101.

Operations

The seven London Midland Region sets (formed DMBS + DTCL) were used on the Bury-Bacup line services, while the other sets (formed DMBS + DTSL) were all allocated to the Eastern Region. These sets were used on a variety of lines in East Anglia as well as the (then) non-electrified lines in Essex (Romford-Upminster and Wickford-Southminster branches).

A unit consisting of 79066 and 79282 worked the last passenger service on the Aldeburgh Branch Line in 1966.^[1]

Withdrawal

They proved to be very successful, but with line closures continuing through the 1960s, including many in East Anglia where the type was first used, their non-standard coupling arrangements left them prone to early withdrawal, which took place during 1967–1969.

Departmental use

All were scrapped following withdrawal, except two (79047 + 79053), which were taken into departmental (non-revenue earning) service as 975018 + 975019. They were used at the Railway Technical Centre in Derby as Laboratory 21: Plasma Torch Research. When this extended life was complete, they too were scrapped, in 1981.

Fleet details

References