British Rail Class 127
 |
| British Rail Class 127 | |
|---|---|
 Class 127, no, 51625 at Bewdley on the Severn Valley Railway on 15 October 2004, whilst on display at the Railcar 50 event. This vehicle has been part-restored to its original condition, having been rebuilt as a parcels unit (numbered 55976) in 1985. This vehicle is preserved at the Midland Railway Butterley, paired with driving motor 51591, and trailer 59609. | |
| Constructed | 1959 |
| Specifications | |
| Car length | 64 ft 0 in |
The British Rail Class 127 diesel multiple units were built by BR Derby in 1959. Thirty 4-car units were built, formed of two outer driving motor vehicles, sandwiching two intermediate trailers. The technical description of such as 4-car unit was DMBS + TSL + TS + DMBS.
Numbering
Vehicles were numbered as follows:
- 51591-51650 - DMBS
- 59589-59618 - TSL
- 59619-59648 - TS
Usage
The units were almost exclusively used on London St. Pancras to Bedford commuter services, which earned the class the nickname "Bed-Pan" units. The class was maintained at a new purpose-built depot at Cricklewood.
Powertrain
Unlike other "Heritage" DMU units, the class 127 units had hydraulic transmission (as opposed to the more standard mechanical transmission). Power was provided by engines supplied by Rolls-Royce. For further information on the powertrain see British Rail British United Traction.
Replacement
The class 127 units operated one of the most intensive passenger services worked by diesel multiple units, and by the late 1970s, it was clear they needed replacing. It was therefore decided to electrify the Bedford line, and replace the Class 127 units with new Class 317 electrical multiple units. The class 127 units should have been withdrawn by 1982. However, problems with the new trains meant they had to struggle on in service, despite appalling reliability. The final units lasted in service until eventually being withdrawn in July 1983. The units were then stored at Carlisle depot pending reuse, preservation or scrapping. Subsequently, many trailer vehicles saw further use in combination with Class 116 units, based at Tyseley depot in Birmingham. These lasted until October 1993.
Rebuilding
In 1985, 22 redundant power cars, including the first built, no. 51591, were rebuilt to form 11 two-car parcels units. Vehicles were renumbered 55966-987, and formed into sets CH910 to CH920. Units were fitted with roller shutter doors, and were based at Chester depot. The units lasted in service until 1989, when they were withdrawn.
Preservation
Three units have been preserved on heritage railways, although only one of these contains a trailer vehicle.
| Vehicles Numbers | Livery | Location | Comments | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51591 | 59609 | 51625 | BR Green | Midland Railway Butterley | Previously parcels unit 55966+55976. |
| 51592 | 59719 | 51604 | BR Green | South Devon Railway | 59719 is a Class 115 vehicle. |
| 51610 | - | - | BR Green | MRT Railcar Group - Butterley | Previously parcels unit 55967. |
| 51616 | 59276 | 51622 | BR Green | Great Central Railway | 59276 is a Class 120 vehicle. |
| 51618 | - | 56456 | BR Green | Llangollen Railway | 56456 is a Class 105 vehicle. |
| - | 59603 | - | BR Blue/Grey | Chasewater Railway | - |