Hybrid Unit 51618 / 56456
This unit is somewhat unusual, in that it is a hybrid of two classes with completely different histories. The power car 51618 spent virtually all its life working the Bedford -
Above: 51618 leading the 'hybrid' set at is heads off the Dee Bridge towards Berwyn. (Dave Southern)
The trailer car, 56456, was delivered new to Lincoln depot in January 1959, initially for use on the Midland and Great Northern Join line, originally paired with 51298. As lines for which they were intended closed, the majority were transferred to King's Cross outer suburban work, for which they were most unsuitable, as documented elsewhere. By 1977, 56456 had moved to Hull Botanic Gardens, and then in 1978 it was transferred, with several other vehicles of its class, to the London Midland Region, first to Newton Heath and then to Longsight. Withdrawal came in 1983. More details on the class 105 are available on the RAILCAR website.
Above: Waiting to depart from Carrog on a gloomy October day. The unusual feature of the Cravens style front, two windows instead of three, is obvious when compared to the class 127, the latter with the standard Derby front. (John Joyce)
After arrival at Llangollen, a rudimentary conversion was done to 51618 to fit a gangway connection, as the class was never so fitted in service. A bar was also fitted next to the toilet so that refreshments could be dispensed. It ran the first train to operate over the Berwyn extension in 1985, as the platform at Berwyn was not ready for passenger use. A repaint into green came in the late 1980s, and it operated many off-
Above: The interior of the Cravens trailer plays host to a jazz band during Llangollen's Jazz Festival in May 2000. (Dewi Davies)
General Info
Built
BR Derby, 1959
Lot no.
30521, 30470
Engines
Two Rolls-
Transmission
Hydraulic -
Weight
40.6t + 23.5t
Max Speed
70mph
Train Brakes
Vacuum
Coupling Code
Blue Square (see note)
Note: although both cars are now classified as blue square vehicles, and work in multiple with the line's other blue square units, 51618 was reclassified (along with the rest of the class) as red triangle during its BR life.
Depot Allocations -
[what I know of it]
Cricklewood
September 1959
Cricklewood
CW
Withdrawn
1983?
Llangollen
1985?
Depot Allocations -
[what I know of it]
Lincoln
40A
January 1959
Finsbury Park
34G / FP
?
Hull Botanic Gardens
50C / BG
?
Newton Heath
NH
1978
Longsight
LO
?
Withdrawn
1983
Llangollen
1985?
The unit is maintained by the Railcar Group.
Transferred 11th Sept 2007 by John Rutter -
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Site Map |
Webmaster Page |
News |
LR Members Data Page |
Loco Roster |
Corwen Extension Page 2 |
Corwen Ext Archive Info |
Corwen Ext Archive Page2 |
Corwen Ext Archive Page 3 |
A Trip Up The Line |
General Railway Info |
History Index |
History of the Line |
Events Before Closure |
Events Since Reopening |
History Page2 |
History Page3 |
History Page4 |
History Page5 |
History Page6 |
Berwyn Viaduct |
Dee Bridge |
Berwyn Tunnel |
Llangollen Station |
Berwyn Station |
Deeside Halt |
Glyndyfrdwy Station |
Carrog Station |
Corwen |
Llangollen Loco Shed |
Pentrefelyn Carriage & Wagon Shed |
Berwyn Viaduct Reconstruction page2 |
Berwyn Viaduct Reconstruction Page3 |
Berwyn Viaduct Page4 |
Berwyn Viaduct Page5 |
LOCOMOTIVES |
Rolling Stock |
Signalling |
Track Maintenance |
Steam Locomotives |
Diesel Locomotives |
Railcars |
Resident Steam Locomotives |
Ex Llangollen Locomotives |
New Build Locos |
Dismantled Locomotives |
Foxcote Manor |
80072 |
Black 5 45337 |
3802 |
5199 |
6430 |
Jessie |
7754 |
Austin 1 |
Jennifer |
Desmond |
5532 |
5539 |
2859 |
Cogan Hall |
76079 |
Alco5197 |
7828 |
Kinlet Hall |
44806 |
5643 |
Jinty 7298 |
Darfield No1 |
Betton Grange |
Patriot |
Night Owl 4709 |
LNER B17 Page |
48518 |
Willington Hall |
Visiting Diesels |
Previous Residents |
D5310 |
37240 |
47449 |
03162 |
08195 |
Davy |
D2892 |
D2899 |
37901 |
Eliseg |
46010 |
20142 |
25313 |
Class 104 Set |
Class 108 Set |
Wickham Cl109 Set |
Hybrid Unit 51618 & 56456 |
GWR Vehicles |
LMS Vehicles |
LNER Vehicles |
On Track Vehicles |
BR Vehicles |
Llangollen Signal Box |
Goods Junction Signal Box |
Deeside Loop Signal Box |
Barmouth Signal Box |
Glyndyfrdwy Signal Box |
Carrog Signal Box |
History of Goods Junction |
Steel Steam & Stars I Gallery 1 |
Steel Steam & Stars II Gallery P1 |
Steel Steam & Stars II Gallery P2 |
Steel Steam and Stars III Gallery |
Steel Steam & Stars IV |
Steam Steel & Stars 1 Gallery Page 2 |
Steam Steel & Stars 1 Gallery Page 3 |
Snow 2013 |