CLASS 103 PARK ROYAL DMU

THE PROTOTYPE

In the first half of 1955, British Railways commissioned Park Royal Vehicles to produce twenty 2 car diesel multiple units sets, with BUT engines, allocated Class 103 under the TOPS numbering scheme.  Originally for the London Midland Region, they spent most of their time at Chester.  First deliveries were allocated to Llandudno Junction in early 1958. By the end of the same year, they were all allocated to Ryecroft for routes from Walsall.  The last four sets were transferred to Laira Depot for use on services on the Kingswear Branch.  The use of standard BUT equipment and blue square coupling code enabled them to operate with other classes.  They also spent time at Watford working the St. Albans and Belmont branches. Many of the class were gradually taken out of service by the end of 1972.  Final vehicles were withdrawn in February 1983.