M53494

M53494 is the earliest surviving Class 104 Driving Motor Composite Lavatory. It was introduced in 1957 as part of a batch of 51 three car sets for British Railways’ London Midland Region. Numbered M50494, it entered service with Trailer Composite Lavatory M59150 and Driving Motor Brake Second M50442. Unfortunately both vehicles were later scrapped. A feature which makes M53494 a little different is the roof mounted marker light, which was only fitted to the first 19 Class 104 sets. 53437 is the only other vehicle to survive with this configuration. M53494 weighs 31 tons and seats 12 first class and 54 second class passengers in three saloons. Two passenger “vestibules” separate the saloons with passengers exiting the vehicle through four exterior doors. Additional doors are located in the drivers cab. The vehicle is fitted with two standard Leyland 680 horizontal diesel engines providing 300hp. Standard transmissions and control systems enable M53494 to operate in multiple with other DMUs that carry the “Blue Square” coupling code, the most common of the multiple working types.

M50494 entered service in the North West in 1957. The Class 104 3-car sets proved versatile replacements for previously steam hauled secondary & branch line services in the area, and the vehicle would have worked many of the routes around Manchester, particularly the Manchester-Buxton line, which was to have an association with the Class for years to come. Stoke-on-Trent, Derby, Crewe, Birmingham and Manchester suburban route would also have been covered.

Around 1960, the short lived light green livery that M50494 was delivered in was replaced by the more conventional BR green that was to last much longer. The vehicle continued to work around the North West routes it was designed for throughout the 1960’s & 1970’s. During this time, British Railways’ policy resulted in the vehicle losing its lined green livery in favour of all over blue. The vehicle was renumbered from M50494 to M53494 during the 1970’s. This period was also the start of the BR’s DMU refurbishment program. Although Class 104’s were never selected for proper investment and full refurbishment (unlike other more common classes such as 101 & 108) most vehicles went through a major overhaul, which included the removal of the original asbestos insulation and several front end changes which were to change the character of the vehicle. The two character headcode box under the centre window was plated over and an additional two marker lights were positioned either side, to match the later build of 104. The original top marker light was to be eventually taken out of use, however unlike 53437; M53494’s light was painted over and left in-situ, rather than be removed completely.

The 1980’s were to see Class 104’s begin to fall into decline, as the vehicles approached 30 years of age. By 1988, M53494 had lost its centre car and was formed as a two car “power twin” set with DMBS M53468 with set number N673. It operated in the Manchester area, and window bars on the doors were added as a safety precaution for some of the routes the vehicle operated on.

Some Class 104 vehicles were transferred for future use into the 1990’s in the London area,

“Sprinterisation” of the North West and the fact the 104’s were never refurbished lead to withdrawal in 1990, M53494 being dumped awaiting disposal at Chester. Refurbished class 108s and 101s lasted longer while the BRCW vehicles faced an uncertain future.

However the vehicle was purchased in 1992 as part of a bulk buy of twelve vehicles from enthusiasts Kevin Dowd and Robert Simpson. The vehicle was particularly important to preserve as the roof lamp will be essential in recreating the Buxton 3-car set, which is the main long term aim of the BRCW Group. After a brief period in storage on the mainline, M53494 was moved onto the Churnet Valley Railway during the mid 1990’s. However other vehicles in superior condition had previously been selected for restoration and M53494’s bogies were known to be in scrap condition. Because of these factors, M53494 was stored awaiting its turn in the restoration queue, and replacement bogies were acquired. The vehicle was briefly reunited with the public for the first time since 1992 when it was unsheeted for display for our 2007 Scenic Railcar Weekend.

M53494 has never run in preservation, and remains in storage awaiting its turn for restoration. Unfortunately 20 years stood idle has taken its toll on the condition of the vehicle, and restoration will not be a small task. M53494’s long term place is the DMCL in the group’s flagship 1980’s Buxton 3-car set, along with M59137 & 53437.