Marlow Donkey DMUs

[Mike_Walker]

Having just taken delivery of the excellent Bachmann Bubblecar (it had the dislodged axles on delivery too BTW) I've been reading through the 117 and 121 thread and noticed that in the early part of that there was an interesting discussion on some of the non-standard formations that appeared on the WR London Division in the late eighties and early nineties. Having lived within earshot the Bourne End to Marlow section for the past 63 years I'm familiar with the various combinations used on that line. As I hadn't joined the forum back then I thought it better to start a new thread here rather hijack the Bachmann thread.

 

Following dieselisation of the 'Marlow Donkey' in July 1962 the use of Pressed Steel single units with or without the matching trailers were universal with 3-car 117s appearing at peak times and regatta weekends. The first interlopers appeared in May 1970 when

three Park Royal two car units arrived at Reading for the branches and were regular performers on the Marlow branch for the next two years.

 

 

Here's W50414 with W56168 in the old bay platform at Bourne End on 21 May 1970 soon after they arrived. Sorry about the quality - it was taken on a Box Brownie,

 

 

W50413 and W56169 arriving at Bourne End from Maidenhead on 20 May 1972. They were withdrawn not long after with the Bubblecars returning.

 

The next change came about when initially some 2-car Metro-Cammell sets (DMBS+DTCL) arrived.

 

 

Set L202 comprising 51225 and 54372 at Bourne End on 28 March 1989.

 

 

Mention was made in the Bachmann thread of the unique 53155. Here it is with Class 121 DTS 54287 forming set L206 on 3 May 1989. Having started life as started life as a standard DMBS it later received a first class compartment although I'm not sure when.

 

 

The small fleet of BRCW Class 104 power-twin units allocated to OOC primarily for the Gospel Oak-Barking services did escape onto the Thames Valley branches from time to time as exemplified by a very smart looking L701 comprising 53437 and 53479 at Bourne End on 20 April 1989 with a Bristol VR in the short-lived Bee Line livery in the background.

 

 

Another hybrid combination: Class 116 DMBS 53083, which had been allocated to the London Division for many years and formed into various Class 117 sets, with Class 121 DTS 56289 forming set L210 at Bourne End on the evening of 2 August 1990 working the peak Maidenhead-Bourne End shuttle with 55031 ready to go to Marlow.

 

 

The London Division's small fleet of Class 118s also appeared from time to time. Here's set L476 squealing round the curve out of Bourne End heading for Marlow. This is another Box Brownie shot and I don't have a record of the date but it would have been circa 1970.

 

 

Here's the prototype for Kernow's exclusive, 55020 freshly painted in GW150 livery at Bourne End on the evening of 7 June 1985 with DTS 56280.

 

 

Tyseley's T305 also made a guest appearance on the branch on 31 August 1991 for a gala day organised by the Marlow-Maidenhead Passengers' Association. My good friend Mark Hopwood (then a BR management trainee and a MMPA committee member in those days and now of course MD of GWR - on secondment to SWR) was responsible for having it sent down for the day - an amusing tale which we won't go into here! Here it claims to be heading for Skegness - not having a London Division blinds, the crews had much fun running with a variety of "destinations" displayed all day. Also present was brand new 165005 sent over from Chiltern for the day. It wasn't in operation but was available for inspection heralding the shape of things to come although it would be another two years before Turbos took over the branch on a regular basis.

 

If anyone's interested I can post some pictures of rarer visitors to the branch.

 

Mike

 

Edited April 8, 2022 by Mike_Walker

[Pannier Tank]

14 minutes ago, Mike_Walker said:

 

If anyone's interested I can post some pictures of rarer visitors to the branch.

 

Mike

 

 

Yes please!

[TravisM]

I used to live in Marlow in the mid to late 80’s and I must admit that in all that time it was Class 117’s between Maidenhead and Bourne End on peak services as well as Class 121 Bubblecar and trailer between Bourne End and Marlow during peak times and the full route off peak.

 

I must admit that the pictures of other types of DMU’s are awesome and love to see more.

[Davexoc]

In three years time the line is 150 years old. For the centenary event Burton Agnes Hall, 6106 and 1420 were mustered.

Will there be a Marlow Donkey 150 day?