steve cook
Class 115 Diesel Multiple Unit 51899, 59761 & 51886 Special Features • Self-propelled unit • Driven from either end Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs) were introduced in the late 1950s to replace locomotive hauled trains, principally on suburban and branch line services. The engines are located underneath and they can be driven from either end. At the end of a line, most locomotive hauled trains had to run round, necessitating a signalman to work the points. With a DMU, this was no longer necessary. Their introduction led to a mass withdrawal of steam locomotives and idle signalmen, although the latter were still needed for freight trains. These units worked through Quainton until the local services were withdrawn in 1963. Most of their life spent on services from Marylebone to Aylesbury & High Wycombe. 51899 was the only DMU named 'Aylesbury College Silver Jubilee 1987'. Their introduction at Aylesbury in 1961 resulted in the withdrawal of the ex Metropolitan Railway 'Dreadnought' carriages, which had been used on the services to Baker Street for some forty years. Chiltern Trains turbo units replaced this set in 1992. Original Owner: British Railways
