The service comprised four round trips from Shackerstone to Shenton, stopping each way at the increasingly-popular Market Bosworth station. Departures from Shackerstone were at 11:00, 12:30, 14:00 and 15:30. We were using the 'Bubble Car' 55005 coupled to Driving Motor car 51131.
The DMU at Shenton Station, viewed from the level crossing.
At the end of service, when I'd put the DMU 'to bed' (this time at the North End, ready to draw forward into platform 2 for the following day's service), I visited the Loco Shed. The DMU vehicle we'd not used that day (51321) was in the shed being worked on. Further inside, the massive Great Western 2-8-0 '3803' was waiting for its next duty. Beyond the 2-8-0, 'Sir Gomer' (currently in black livery) waited for repairs to be completed. A visitor on the other shed road was No. 323 'Bluebell', a Wainwright 'P' class, one of eight built at Ashford for the South Eastern and Chatham Railway in 1910. There's a little more information on the 'P' class on the Southern E Group site here.
'Bluebell' in the shed at Shackerstone.
The Battlefield Line DMU Group
The Battlefield Line DMU Group (formerly the Shackerstone DMU Group) operates a single-car DMU and a 2-car DMU. The brief history of the vehicles below is taken from the Battlefield Line DMU Group pamphlet.
55005
55005 in British Railways blue and grey livery in 2011.
This is a single-car unit, invariably nicknamed the 'Bubble Car', built in 1958 by Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Company seating 65 passengers. During its life on British Railways, it was based initially at Leamington Spa and later at Inverness, Manchester, Birimngham and Plymouth. In 1992, it became the first 'Bubble Car' to be be preserved but required new seats, windows, gearboxes and substantial electrical work before re-entering service.
51131
51131 in British Railways blue livery in 2007.
This is a Driving Motor Brake built at Derby in 1958. This vehicle, originally part of a 3-car set, seats 65 and includes a large guard's van. It was initially allocated to Newport (Gwent) but, with the closure of the Valley Lines around Newport in the 1960s, was transferred to Tyseley (Birmingham). It was withdrawn in 1993 with a failed gearbox and arrived at Shackerstone the following year. After a replacement gearbox was fitted, it re-entered service. It is usually paired with 51321 but the flexibility of the railcar design means that it may operate with 55005, if required.
51321
51321 in British Railways blue livery in 2007.
This is a Driving Motor car built in 1960 by Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon, seating 89 passengers. It formed part of a 3-car set allocated first to Plymouth and later Bristol before moving to Tyseley (Birmingham) in 1987. Withdrawn in 1991, it was initially used as a Service Vehicle then stored as a source of spare parts for other units. Following arrival at Shackerstone in 1997 most electrical and driving cab equipment required refitting and mechical and cosmetic work was needed before entering service on the Battlefield Line. It is usually paired with 51131 but is currently in the shed at Shackerstone undergoing body repairs.
Related Posts on other sites.
The Railcar Site
Related posts on this site
A number of posts deal with the DMUs at Shackerstone (most recent first):-
Midweek at the Battlefield Line
Battlefield Line 1940s Weekend (June 2013)
Sunday Diesel
Battlefield Line Modellers' Weekend 2012
'Thomas' at the Battlefield Line
The 'Mince Pie Flyer'
Battlefield Line Mince Pie Specials 2009
The Battlefield Line DMU Group
Diesel Multiple Units
My pictures
The Battlefield Line, 2014
Bubble Car.
Shackerstone DMU Group.
Bluebell.
