British Rail Metro-Cammell
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In 1955, Metropolitan-Cammell produced its first lightweight Diesel multiple units, the prototypes of what were to become British Rail's most successful and longest-lived First Generation DMU type, the Class 101.
The seven London Midland Region sets (formed DMBS + DTCL) were used on the Bury-Bacup line services, while the other sets were all allocated to the Eastern Region. These sets were used on a variety of lines in East Anglia as well as the (then) non-electrified lines in Essex (Romford-Upminster and Wickford-Southminster branches).
They proved to be very successful, but with line closures continuing through the 1960s, including many in East Anglia where the type was first used, their non-standard coupling arrangements left them prone to early withdrawal, which took place during 1967-69.
All were scrapped following withdrawal, except two (79047 + 79053), which were taken into departmental (non-revenue earning) service as 975018 + 975019. They were used at the Railway Technical Centre in Derby as Laboratory 21: Plasmar Torch Research. Unfortunately, when this extended life was complete, they too were scrapped - in 1981.
Two different formations were used:
DMBS + DTSL: 79047 + 79263 through 79075 + 79291 DMBS + DTCL: 79076 + 79626 through 79082 + 79632