Class 101 Vehicles
E50253-Driving Motor Brake Second
Driving Motor Brake Second no. 50253 was built new in 1957 to BR Lot No. 30266, diagram 523. Weighing 32t, it was delivered to the Eastern region of British Railways as a power twin set.
The set was allocated to 51A Darlington in September 1957 and worked services around the Middlesborough area in early British Railways lined green.
Eventually though, in 1996, the vehicle was paired with 50170 to form set 101692 and was transferred to the Scottish region.
This set earned ‘celebrity’ status being painted in the unique Strathclyde PTE livery of blue with orange and yellow stripes by Scotrail for the introduction of services between Motherwell and Cumbernauld.
After spending a few years working in this area, the pair were transferred south of the border and allocated to Longsight.
The vehicle spent the rest of its working life operating services around the Manchester area with First North Western and remained in the unique Strathclyde livery.
Withdrawn on the final day of Class 101 operations on the main line, 31st December 2003
E50170-Driving Motor Composite Lavatory
E50170 Built by Metropolitan-Cammell at their Saltley works in 1957 as part of lot number 30255. It was initially allocated to the North Eastern region of British Railways, outshopped in lined green.
After spending most of its working life in this region, the vehicle moved to work some services in the Norwich area .
Eventually though, in 1996, the vehicle was paired with 50253 to form set 101692 and was transferred to the Scottish region.
This set earned ‘celebrity’ status being painted in the unique Strathclyde PTE livery of blue with orange and yellow stripes by Scotrail for the introduction of services between Motherwell and Cumbernauld.
After spending a few years working in this area, the pair were transferred south of the border and allocated to Longsight.
The vehicle spent the rest of its working life operating services around the Manchester area with First North Western and remained in the unique Strathclyde livery.
Withdrawn on the final day of Class 101 operations on the main line, 31st December 2003
E59303-Trailer Second Lavatory
Delivered to Darlington in November 1957 It was initially classified as a Class 162 under the original TOPS system but when the system was modified to what it is today it became a Class 101 vehicle to match the power cars of the same type.
t carried many other liveries in its time untill the unit was unofficially retired in the summer of 1997 wearing Regional Railways livery.
The majority of Class 101 TSL vehicles were scrapped as British Rail converted sets from three cars to two cars so that they could run on lighter routes towards the end of their working life, but a decision was taken to keep 59303 along with just two other vehicles of the same type .
Two of the vehicles kept (including 59303) were stored at Blackpool whilst the other was sent elsewhere.
This vehicle has been designated a 1 by the Railcar Association meaning that the preservation and care of the vehicle is of paramount importance being the only surviving Metro-Cammell TSL vehicle (the other 2 surviving 101 centre cars are TCL).
