British Rail Class 119
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| British Rail Class 119 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| In service | 1958–1990s |
| Manufacturer | Gloucester Railway Carriage & Wagon Co. Ltd |
| Constructed | 1958 |
| Scrapped | 81 cars (28 DMBC, 28 DMSL, 25 TSLRB) |
| Number preserved | 3 cars |
| Formation | DMBC-TSLRB-DMSL |
| Capacity |
|
| Operators | British Rail |
| Specifications | |
| Car length | 64 ft 6 in (19.66 m) |
| Width | 9 ft 3 in (2.82 m) |
| Height | 12 ft 8+1⁄4 in (3.87 m) |
| Maximum speed | 70 mph (113 km/h) |
| Weight |
|
| Prime mover(s) | Two BUT (AEC), then BUT (Leyland 680-1595) of 150 hp (112 kW) per power car |
| Power output | 600 hp (447 kW) per 3-car set |
| Transmission | Mechanical |
| Safety system(s) | Automatic Warning System |
| Multiple working | ■ Blue Square |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
The British Rail Class 119 DMUs were used throughout the Western Region and on services in the Midlands sourced by Tyseley Depot. Shortly after their introduction, sets were transferred from Cardiff to serve the intermediate stations on outer suburban services from London Paddington to Oxford. These were as 7-car sets, with the addition of Hawksworth composites adapted to run as DMU trailers.
Sets worked over most of the Western Region, notable early use being the last passenger train over the Plympton branch. Minehead, Calne and Bridport branches that have since closed were also served by the sets, which also covered main line services in company with the Swindon Cross Country sets.
Visually, the body design was based on the Swindon Cross-Country sets, but with a Derby cab.
As with most asbestos contaminated stock, there were heavy withdrawals, but a number were rebuilt internally after asbestos removal. The rebuilt sets were frequently used on express services from Reading to Gatwick Airport along the Reading-Gatwick link and on stopping services to Tonbridge. Units stabled at Redhill Station overnight would find themselves being fuelled at Selhust Depot, working parcels services to London Bridge and at Clapham Junction working the early morning service to Kensington Olympia.
The fleet was displaced by the 'Turbo' Class 165 and Class 166 fleets in 1992.
Orders
| Lot No. | Car Type | Diagram | Qty | Fleet Numbers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30421 | Driving Motor Brake Composite (DMBC) | 540 | 28 | 51052–51079 | |
| 30422 | Driving Motor Second with lavatory (DMSL) | 541 | 28 | 51080–51107 | |
| 30423 | Trailer Second Buffet (TSLRB) | 542 | 25 | 59413–59437 |
Accidents and incidents
- On 1 August 1990, unit L576 collided with a passenger train comprising 4VEP electric multiple units 3508 & 3504, and 4CIG unit 1304 at Reading due to overrunning signals. Forty people were injured.[1]
Preservation
- 51073 (DMBC) Ecclesbourne Valley Railway
- 51074 (DMBC) Swindon and Cricklade Railway
- 51104 (DMSL) Swindon and Cricklade Railway
2 vehicles are currently undergoing restoration on the Swindon and Cricklade Railway (updated 14/6/12). 1 vehicle has recently been restored on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway (updated 25/08/13).
References
- ^ McCrickard, John P (6 October 2016). "January 1990 to December 1990". Network South East Railway Society. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
Further reading
- Russell, David (June 1996). "Class 119 deal struck". Rail Express. No. 1. Foursight Publications Ltd. p. 40. ISSN 1362-234X. OCLC 498432844.
External links
