British Rail Class 107
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (May 2009) |
| British Rail Class 107 (Derby short heavyweight) | |
|---|---|
 107444 in Strathclyde livery at Prestwick | |
| In service | 1960–1991 |
| Manufacturer | BR Derby Works |
| Built at | Derby Works |
| Family name | First generation |
| Replaced | Steam locomotives and carriages |
| Constructed | 1960 |
| Number built | 26 sets (78 cars) |
| Formation | 3-car sets: DMBS-TSL-DMCL |
| Capacity | DMBS: 52 second-class TSL:71 second-class DMCL: 12 first-class, 53 second-class |
| Operators | British Rail |
| Specifications | |
| Car length | 58 ft 1 in (17.70 m) |
| Width | 9 ft 3 in (2.82 m) |
| Height | 12 ft 4 in (3.76 m) |
| Maximum speed | 70 mph (113 km/h) |
| Weight | DMBS: 35.0 tonnes (34.4 long tons; 38.6 short tons) TCL: 28.5 tonnes (28.0 long tons; 31.4 short tons) DMCL: 35.5 tonnes (34.9 long tons; 39.1 short tons) |
| Prime mover(s) | Two BUT 6-cylinder diesels per power car |
| Power output | 600 bhp (447 kW) per set, 300 bhp (224 kW) per power car, 150 bhp (112 kW) per engine |
| Transmission | Mechanical: 4-speed epicyclic gearbox |
| Safety system(s) | AWS |
| Coupling system | Screw-link, British Standard gangways |
| Multiple working | ■ Blue Square |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) |
The British Rail Class 107 diesel multiple units were built by the Derby Works of British Railways and were introduced in 1960. The class looked similar to the later Class 108 units, but were heavier, being built from steel.
Usage[edit]
The Class 107s were initially built for suburban workings on the south side of Glasgow and the Class remained in BR's Scottish Region for its service life.[1] When new, a number were used on Dundee/Arbroath services. In later years, they were used almost exclusively on services radiating from Glasgow Central to such destinations as Barrhead, East Kilbride, and Kilmacolm, and - prior to electrification - on Glasgow/Ayrshire services (especially Largs). Most were withdrawn from service by 1991.
Many of the units went into departmental use after being withdrawn from passenger use.[2] The class suffered from a structural problem, however, which could result in the bodies separating from the chassis under heavy braking.
Orders[edit]
| Lot No. | Car Type | Qty | Fleet number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30611 | Driving Motor Brake Second (DMBS) | 26 | 51985–52010 | |
| 30612 | Driving Motor Composite with lavatory (DMCL) | 26 | 52011–52036 | |
| 30613 | Trailer Second with lavatory (TSL) | 26 | 59782–59807 |
Originally, there were no fixed set formations, but eventually, sets were numbered as 107425-449 in DMBS order (the DMCLs & TSLs were formed into the sets at random). Renumbered to 107725-749 in 1988 to avoid confusion of set numbers with new 156 units which also had 4xx numbers. Renumbered again to 107025-049 about 1990 to avoid similar confusion with new class 158s numbered in 7xx series.
Other technical details[edit]
- Coupling Code: Blue Square
- Transmission: Standard mechanical
For coupling codes see British United Traction
Preservation[edit]
Several examples of the class have entered preservation.
| Set number | Vehicle numbers | Livery | Location | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMBS | TSL | DMCL | ||||
| - | 51990 | - | - | Strathclyde | Strathspey Railway | Donor of spare parts |
| - | 51993 | - | 52012 | BR Green | Tanat Valley Light Railway | Under Restoration |
| - | 52005 | - | 52031 | BR Green | Tanat Valley Light Railway | Operational |
| - | 52006 | - | 52025 | BR Green | Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust | Operational |
| - | 52008 | - | 52030 | BR Green | Strathspey Railway | Under Restoration |
| - | - | - | 52029 | Strathclyde | Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway | Purchased 2015 to be restored[3] |
| - | - | 59791 | - | BR Green | Tanat Valley Light Railway | Static Display |
References[edit]
Notes[edit]
- ^ "Class 107 Derby 3-car DMUs". Railcar.co.uk. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
- ^ "Non-passenger use". Railcar.co.uk. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
- ^ "GWR Boardroom Blog: CDRL Acquire a Partner for their Class 117". 24 July 2015.
Sources[edit]
- Motive Power Recognition: 3 DMUs. Colin J. Marsden
- British Railway Pictorial: First Generation DMUs. Kevin Robertson
- British Rail Fleet Survey 8: Diesel Multiple Units- The First Generation. Brian Haresnape
- A Pictorial Record of British Railways Diesel Multiple Units. Brian Golding
External links[edit]
