At the beginning of the privatisation era of Britain’s railways, there was a pause in new rolling stock deliveries. As a result, a handful of diesel multiple units (DMUs) remained in service in small pockets around England, Wales and Scotland. A slow start to new train orders and an expansion of passenger services meant that withdrawal of these units was slower than intended. In fact, some managed to eke out their final days into the new millennium.

With over 190 images, most previously unpublished, this book illustrates the different types of units and the areas in which they operated during the post-privatisation years up to 2002. It includes units that saw further use as departmental units and a look at some of the residual withdrawn and stored vehicles that were dotted around the country. This book provides an overview of the final operations that the heritage DMUs were involved in. These unsung heroes of the 1955 modernisation plan certainly gave their worth and, thankfully, many can still be seen today on the railway preservation scene.