DMUs (diesel multiple units) Through The Decades

Tracing the history of the humble DMU using my model collection.
This video will feature the following classes:
Metro-Cammell Lightweight DMUs which did not last long enough to get a class number (prototype 101)
Calder Valley class 110
Class 117 + special
Class 108
Derby Lightweight DMU
Class 205 DEMU 2H
British Rail Class 43 (HST) formerly classes 253 and 254
And the Wonderful Blue Pullman.
If you would like to see more of any particular type of DMU featured just let me know in the comments.
Here is Oscar's video showing the Triang DMU • Tri-ang Railways R.157... #modelrailways #modelrailroad #modeltrains

[@donniblanco5239]

Brilliant - some great examples of these classics, that have obvs received much TLC - many thanks 👍🏻✨

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks Donni glad you enjoyed

[@ianforfun1]

I liked class 124 DMU's with the wrap-around windows on the cab ends which ran the TransPennine route from Leeds to Manchester.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks Ian

[@neilfarrar6217]

Just going back over you earlier films, this was the first one of you films that I saw 3 years ago. Took me straight back home, back to travelling between Huddersfield and Pudsey changing at Leeds for a tram, during the early 60,s Thanks again for your videos.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

You are most welcome my friend

[@ArcadiaJunctionHobbies]

Wonderfully entertaining and informative video. Thank you and more like this please!

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thank you kindly

[@lesliedickinson198]

A really enjoyable video and i so enjoyed the calder valley units as they ran regularly near my home

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Many thanks Leslie, yes they have a good character for sure :)

[@sssebyy]

Fantastic video. Thankyou. I loved the history lesson and very professional video production. AAA

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Oh wow thank you for your very kind comment. It's always nice I feel to get to know the history behind our models. I've done this for wagons and locos a few times now

[@tracynation239]

A superb video. Hello from the Tracy Mountain Railway in Colorado. ♡ T.E.N.

[@tracynation239]

P.S. I see another track with a different gauge by your crossover. ♡ T.E.N.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thank you very much!

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Well spotted, check this out kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYOlfnSre552pLs

[@TONYNORTHEASTERN]

A very enjoyable history lesson on DMU's. must have taken an age to gather all the information on the various type's and sets. i didn't know there were so many. once again thank you for sharing best wishes Tony

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Hi Tony, that is very kind of you :) makes it all worthwhile. Yes a good few weeks looking into it all and then I only presented info on the ones in my collection, there were very many more types in use as well. Did you see my DMUs in the snow video?

[@Mike-kc8rl]

All of us at a certain age grew up with the Diesel mechanical units ! Here on the Chiltern line we had four car 115s but no corridors between coaches ! They also only had one silencer behind the engines so the pipes were straight through to the end making a very noisy exhaust? We also had one and two cars on what was nicknamed the Marlow donkey ! I used to go to Princes Risborough to ride the 121 bubble car to Aylesbury ! Just for the nostalgia of it .

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Hi Mike, ah lovely so much character back then. Thanks for watching

[@Mike-kc8rl]

@@ModelRailwaysUnlimited Love the videos you make ! I had a lima 117 two car in BR all blue back in the day when they came out . Lima were so good at 00 models and apart from the 117s buffers being far to small it was a nice model , still used by Hornby on the 121 s today I believe?

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

@@Mike-kc8rl that's super kind of you to say thanks. Somewhen I am doing a Lima special

[@NorbertRoll]

So many different beautiful DMUs. Absolutely wonderful. Excellent video and info.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Wow thanks for the lovely comment and on going support, so glad you enjoyed it

[@trainsontuesday]

Top notch Mike, a thoroughly enjoyable video. The history and narration were excellent. Happy to see that you found the perfect solution to the backdrop problem. More? yes please any time. Regards David.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks so much David :) I used that light again, gives a nice warm feel and brings out the colors well I felt?

[@ChapelEndJunctionUK]

Interesting history of these units , I suppose I could look it up on google but it's so much more entertaining the way you have done it with these models ........Peter

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Many thanks Peter, glad you enjoyed. I was worried it was a bit long but there was so much good stuff to show :) Any favorite bits?

[@ChapelEndJunctionUK]

I like the Derby lightweight , I was a schoolboy trainspotter in the early 60's but I don't remember seeing these units unless at the time I probably didn't take that much notice of diesels .......Peter

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Cheers Peter, that's the thing with these DMUs and the EMUs to be honest, they are so much part of the furniture they don't attract a lot of notice and we only miss them when they are gone. So I have a vote for more video of the Derby Lightweight then ;)

[@brianfearn4246]

Great video, I have a couple of Bachmann 108s in 2&3 car sets and after removing the body to fit decoders I also fitted a few fare paying passengers . It really does make a difference and takes away the ghost train affect especially in the dark ! .. I can't believe the rrp on some of these models now at around £200

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Nice work yeah the price has gone mad

[@johnheald4]

The Blue Pullman also ran from Manchester to London and was often seen at the Derby Carriage and Wagon works under going modifications.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks for watching

[@charlie1872]

I have the original Triang two car DMU, It still runs but pretty noisy and roughly. Definitely a candidate for a service/repair👍

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Hi, oh wow lovely, there are some service videos on the channel if that helps

[@TheZacDJ]

Brilliant video, very informative and excellent production values - really well produced. Just worth mentioning that the one of the early Derby Lightweight DMUs was put into Departmental use as the first Ultrasonic Test Train in the early '70s. It continued in use as the UTT until the late 80s, when it was replaced by two former Class 101 DMBSs, known as the Ultrasonic Test Unit (UTU). The UTU was notable for being the only first generation DMU to be converted to Automatic Air Brakes. The 101 power cars each had 2 bedrooms, a kitchen, a shower room and a generator compartment. The centre car was a former 4REP DMS and housed another generator, a small workshop and all the Ultrasonic Test equipment. The power cars were DB977391/392 and the centre car DB999602. 602 is still in use in a loco hauled test train, whilst the power cars were sadly scrapped by the Churnet Valley Railway.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Hi Zac thank you so much for the very kind supportive comments! I put a great deal of work into my videos so its very welcome when it is recognized. Thanks very much for the info, I sadly had to cut out quite a bit of extra detail but I never knew about the REP DMS being used. Hope you stay tuned for more

[@TheZacDJ]

Model Railways Unlimited You are very welcome - and I shall definitely be staying tuned. Looking forward to future productions. Keep up the good work. Kind Regards and Best Wishes, Zac

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Cheers Zac, thanks so much

[@oscarpaisley]

Great video. thanks for giving me the link. Lovely collection of models beautifully shot. Oscar

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks Oscar

[@robindow5742]

great commentary and history i started back in railway modelling in my fifties buying a secondhand hst trainset from a charity shop for £2.00 it had no controller or transformer i bought a 12v transformer and a drill speed controller wit a d/pole switch used that untill i bought a bachmann starter dcc set sadly these little locos have not lasted unlike som of the triang and mainline,airfix locos bought from ebay keep up the good work

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks very much, loved reading your story, nice to hear how you used the bits and bobs to make a controller

[@waldenhouse]

Super video Oscar.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks very much Oscar, hope there are others here you may like

[@malcolmtaylor518]

Loved the video, pleasure to watch.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Most kind of you Malcolm, happy new year

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

In October 1969 BR(WR) introduced the RailAir Express Parcels service which ran overnight between Bristol and Hayes (for onward transportation to Heathrow Airport. They used 2 Class 116 DMBS W51137 and DMS W51150 (and reclassified to Class 130) with all seating and some side doors removed and 2 GUVs (W86174 and W86572) were modified with DMU control cables 13:38 and a vacuum reservoir pipe to run between the 2 power cars. The power cars were withdrawn in 1972 after a fire. 4 other Class 116 power cars (DMBS W50819 and W50862, and DMS W50872 and W50915) were also modified. These last four lasted in service until the early 1980s when they were converted back in Class 116.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Wonder if that 2nd set is what I saw

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

@@ModelRailwaysUnlimited probably one of them. You can find out about DMU oddities from the Railcar Association.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

I'll check it out thanks 👍

[@SuperHawksworth]

Very enjoyable video Mike. On the subject of hybrid formations I remember seeing dmu at Bude with an obviously loco hauled type centre coach. It was in Southern Region green so it didn’t look too odd, but I can’t recall the exact type. Also I have travelled in a dmu on the Barnstaple line which was hauling a full brake coach back to Exeter

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Many thanks David, oh wow so it happened a bit then, just wish someone had taken a photo of the one I saw, I could not afford film back then lol

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Oh by the way, if your like to see there DMUs in action and have the time try this kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpS7l6aPZ9p0a7s

[@SuperHawksworth]

Model Railways Unlimited Thanks Mike, I will have a look

[@neildahlgaard-sigsworth3819]

David Colborne I know that a couple of ex-GWR Hawksworth (IIRC) coaches were repainted into DMU green for and had the Blue Square DMU control wiring fitted for use with the Class 119 Cross-Country DMUs made by Gloucester RCW. I've not come across any ex-Southern coaches being used with DMUs. As for the haulage of parcel vans by DMU this was common practice, with I believe the last regular van haulage being on the Cambridge-Norwich line. If you go on the Limit of Shunt website you can find details on the load limits for DMUs, which depended on the power limits and route limitations.

[@craignicklin4573]

@@ModelRailwaysUnlimited class 116/130 parcels unit

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

DMUs ended up in places other than where they were intended. I've got pictures of a green Class 101 on a Middlesbrough to Scarborough train running along the Esk Valley line, and a BR(MR) Blue Pullman at Hartlepool.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

I'm sure they found their way down south as well

[@bianchikat]

thanks that was interesting and calming given the world news! If they ever manufacture the units that went out of Marylebone I would be tempted. were they Class 115's? altho the Blue Pullman is a joy.. saw them loads of times out of Paddington and St Pancras...

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Many thanks indeed, yes it's nice to immerse ones self in something nice what with all this worry.

[@stephendines1936]

Great stuff

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Many thanks

[@CW56]

I honestly think the Metro-Cammell day looks better as a 3 car unit than a 2 car.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Built as two car, thanks for watching

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

The Class 108 was almost identical to late model Lightweights, even sharing the same body profile, which matched that of the Mark 1 coaches. The only real difference was the more crash-worthy front end. The first Lightweights had 125hp engines replaced by 150hp engines on the later versions.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Yes, the lightweights had a lot of glass for sure

[@RockyRailroadProductions_B0SS]

Loved seeing the Metro-Cammell units! They're simply a classic design. Loved the segment on the Thumper too, did you actually drive on those at one point?

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Hi and many thanks, yes I did get to drive them :) happy days indeed. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

A running video is in production at the moment, so if you enjoyed these DMUs stay tuned, better still subscribe to be notified as soon as I upload it!

[@doloresmyatt9737]

hi mike nice video, on your layout you seem to have a third rail along part of the track,if it is does it get used or is it only for show. you spoke about corridors on your dmu's i have never seen any coaches on a model layout with them connected with "rubber bellows type material" have you?

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Hi, thanks for the comments, glad you enjoyed the video. Were there any favorites? I think I have seen some rubber connectors used, can't recall where. As to the third rail, its not live but was installed for this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXrQYWCmltKFZqM

[@doloresmyatt9737]

hi when it comes to dmu's i prefer any green ones because they remind me of country lines of a certain peroid i do not like blue or any other colours or combinations i guess it reminds me of gentler times. the rubber connections i guess may be trouble for bends in tracks asi have never seen them fitted and you would have thought with the fine detail now used, there is a big gap between coaches that needs filling

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

I agree, all locos look good in green :)

[@1maico1]

The introduction of DMU or DEMU seems to have been very late into the UK. The German SVT 137 was in service from 1935. For a short time, it held the world speed record at 127mph. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DRG_Class_SVT_137 The VT 08 was the German equivalent of the blue Pullman from 1952 on de.wikipedia.org/wiki/DB-Baureihe_VT_08

[@jackdripper5675]

The body design of the pre-war Italian ETR 200 EMU was well ahead too kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYjJommil6ajrMk

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks for the info, glad you enjoyed the video

[@allenemery4665]

Used to repair the engines in these 1980 to 1988

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Hi Allen, how cool

[@CW56]

The Class 101 is Daisy from Thomas. I would love to see a character in the show based on the Blue Pullman.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

What age are you Mr Reny?

[@CW56]

I’m 16. How come you asked?

[@mfbfreak]

I think i would hook up a electric fly swatter to the 3rd rail, for that little bit of extra realism if someone touches it.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

lol could be an idea

[@alexdrennan7654]

lovely video , what about the second generation dmu

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks Alex, what would they be?

[@CW56]

What’s the difference between the Class 101 and the lightweight version?

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Hi, Classes 101 and 102 diesel multiple units were built by Metro-Cammell at Washwood Heath in Birmingham, England from 1956 to 1959, where as the Derby Lightweight diesel multiple units, were the first such trains to be built en-masse for British Railways. The units were built at BR's Derby Works from 1954 to 1955

[@CW56]

I meant the Metro-Cammell Lightweights not the Derby lightweights.

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

​@@CW562 easily spotted items. The multiple working connectors below the cab windows which used the original red diamond system like the Derby Lightweights, and the air dam below the front ends.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpS7l6aPZ9p0a7s

[@amazoniaamazonia7225]

Good video but not helped buy the music.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Great glad you enjoyed it