DMU Operations: Eastern Region
Colne Valley and Stour Valley Lines
The passenger service on the Colne Valley was withdrawn on 30 December 1961.
The Stour Valley line survived until 6 March 1967 when the Sudbury - Shelford section closed, leaving a Sudbury - Marks Tey / Colchester service.
Sample Timetables
17th September 1956 to 16th June 1957
In the Passenger Services Eastern Region timetable, the Stour Valley service was Table 25 (0.6 mb pdf), the Colne Valley was Table 26 (0.4 mb pdf).
9th June to 14th September 1958
In the Passenger Services Eastern Region timetable, the Stour Valley service was Table 25 (0.6 mb pdf), the Colne Valley was Table 26 (0.4 mb pdf).
2nd November 1959 to 12th June 1960
In the Passenger Services Eastern Region timetable both lines were Table 22 (0.7 mb pdf).
12th June to 10th September 1961
In the Passenger Services Eastern Region timetable both lines were Table 22 (0.9 mb pdf).
17th June to 8th September 1963
In the Passenger Services Eastern Region timetable it was Table 22 (0.6 mb pdf).
14 June 1965 to 17 April 1966
In the Passenger Services Eastern Region timetable it was Table 43 (0.7 mb pdf).
6 March 1967 to 5 May 1968
In the Passenger Services Eastern Region timetable it was Table 43 (0.4 mb pdf). The service was now withdrawn, but details of the replacement bus service was given.
Images
Unknown date
A Derby Lightweight DMU heading to Cambridge at Birdbrook on the Colne Valley & Halstead line - date unknown. Steve Davies Collection.
21st March 1959
A Cravens DMU on the 3.46pm service to Long Melford at Marks Tey on 21st March 1959. The DMBS is in the E512xx series, and would be allocated to Cambridge depot. Michael Mensing.
circa 1961
A Met-Camm Lightweight set formed of E79269 + E79052 at Birdbrook station in Essex. Undated, the set has revised lining and whiskers, and was likely taken in 1961 just before closure of the Colne Valley line. Steve Davies Collection.
Unknown date
E79023 is the DMBS in this Derby Lightweight set seen at Long Melford with Colchester on the destination blind. Date unknown. Steve Davies Collection.
Unknown date
A Derby Lightweight set at Sudbury. Undated. Steve Davies Collection.
Unknown date
A Met-Camm Lightweight DMU heads away from the camera, date unknown. The location is just given as 'Colne Valley', however that line closed to passengers on 30 December 1961, the yellow panel dates this to mid-1962 onwards. The image was from the Steve Davies Collection. Stuart Mackay Collection.
1966
A Wickham set arrives at Clare on a Cambridge - Sudbury working in 1966. P Hoquard courtesy of David Underwood.
Unknown date
A Cravens set at Cavendish, probably on a service to Sudbury as indicated by the destination blind. Date unknown. Steve Davies Collection.
4th March 1967
The 3:01pm Colchester - Cambridge crosses the 3:38pm Long Melford - Colchester at Long Melford, 4th March 1967. David Underwood.