DMU Carriage Steps Update, 2026

After a wait of several years, their time has come and we have just finished installing all the new carriage steps to our DMU.

Driver's cabs steps in place on the trailer car, 2026

Way back in March 2020, when our Class 108 Diesel Multiple Unit had arrived at NPL Thornton, we identified that we needed to replace all the wooden carriage footsteps.

Many were rotten and some even missing.

Appeal

A sponsorship scheme was launched whereby members and Friends of the Society could contribute to the cost of buying the new steps and commissioning a local carpenter to make them.

The steps safely in storage, 2024

Fortunately, we quickly found sponsors for all 26 carriage steps allowing us to proceed.

The new steps were stored inside the Guard's compartment on M51937 waiting to be fitted.

Installation

This winter we painted the steps black.

A coating of crushed oyster shell was then applied to provide a non-slip surface.

The photographs on this page show three of the driver's cab steps in place on the trailer car.

Step Sponsors

The Society would like to thank all the sponsors, listed below, for their donation to fund the purchase and manufacture of the steps.

Crushed oyster shell non-slip surface, 2026

• Alan Haywood
• Bernadette Hindle
• Bryan Lowe
• David Smalley
• Gerry Greenwood
• James Whyatt, in memory of former member Gordon Whyatt
• John Fisher
• Ken Peaks
• Malcolm Richardson
• The Order of Women Freemasons
• Pete Williams
• Rob Fail
• Stephen Roche

Nigel Kirkpatrick (DMU lead)