British Rail Class 101

British Rail Classes 101 and 102
British Rail Classes 101 and 102
	Class 101 L832 at Reading in 1989
	Interior of 101654
In service	1956–2003
Manufacturer	Metropolitan Cammell
Order no.	30467 (DMBS, 51174-51253); 30500 (DMBS, 51425-51470); 30501 (DMCL, 51495-51539); 30587 (DMCL, 51795-51801); 30588 (DMCL, 51802-51808); 30249 (DMCL, 53138-53150); 30252 (DMBS, 53153-53157); 30253 (DMCL, 53158-53163); 30254 (DMBS, 53164-53166); 30255 (DMCL, 53168-53171); 30256 (DMCL, 53172-53197); 30259 (DMBS, 53198-53208); 30261 (DMBS, 53211-53233); 30263 (DMCL, 53234-53245); 30339 (DMBS, 53247-53248); 30266 (DMBS, 53250-53259); 30267 (DMCL, 53260-53269); 30270 (DMBS, 53290-53296); 39275 (DMBS, 53303-53320); 30276 (DMCL, 53321-53338); 30271 (DMCL, 53746-53751); 30260 (DTCL, 54050-54092); 30340 (DTCL, 54218-54220); 30468 (DTCL, 54332-54409); 30250 (TSL, 59042-59048); 30251 (TBSL, 59049-59055); 30257 (TSL, 59060-59072); 30258 (TBSL, 59073-59085); 30264 (TSL, 59086-59091); 30265 (TBSL, 59092-59097); 30269 (TSL, 59101-59107); 30274 (TBSL, 59112-59113); 30277 (TCL, 59114-59130); 30273 (TS, 59302-59306); 30502 (TCL, 59525-59568); 30510 (TSL, 59569-59571); 30589 (TCL, 59686-59692)[1];
Family name	First generation
Replaced	Steam locomotives and carriages
Constructed	1956–1960
Entered service	1956
Number built	Class 101: 527 (DMCL: 97, DMBS: 217, DTCL: 120, TSL: 41, TSLRB: 6, TCL: 18, TBSL: 28); Class 102: 106 (DMCL: 53, TCL: 53)
Number preserved	41 cars
Formation	2-, 3-, or 4-car sets
Operator(s)	British Rail; Network SouthEast; ScotRail
Depot(s)	Ayr; Bristol Bath Road; Buxton; Cambridge; Cardiff Canton; Chester; Crown Point; Eastfield; Haymarket; Heaton; Hull Botanic Gardens; Landore; Neville Hill; Old Oak Common; Reading; Tyseley[1];
Specifications
Car length	57 ft 0 in (17.37 m)
Width	9 ft 3 in (2.82 m)
Height	3.77 m (12 ft 4 in)
Maximum speed	70 mph (113 km/h)
Weight	32.5 tonnes (32.0 long tons; 35.8 short tons) (powered),; 25 tonnes (25 long tons; 28 short tons) (unpowered)[2]
Prime mover(s)	Two BUT (AEC or Leyland) 6-cylinder diesels
Power output	150 bhp (112 kW) each engine
Transmission	Mechanical: 4-speed epicyclic gearbox
Braking system(s)	Vacuum
Coupling system	Screw-link couplings, British Standard gangways
Multiple working	■ Blue Square
Track gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)

The British Rail Classes 101 and 102 diesel multiple units were built by Metro-Cammell at Washwood Heath in Birmingham, England from 1956 to 1959, following construction of a series of prototype units. These classes proved to be some of the most successful and longest-lived of BR's First Generation DMUs, second in longevity only to the Class 121, with the final five units being withdrawn on 24 December 2003. The oldest set was, by then, just over 47 years old.

Operations

Class 101 DMUs were used across much of the British Rail network (with the notable exception of the Southern Region - apart from some inter-regional workings). Notable concentration of services included:

East of Scotland (to/from Edinburgh Waverley)
West Midlands
Teesside
Tyneside
West Yorkshire

Accidents and incidents

On 16 February 1977, an express passenger train hauled by Class 55 locomotive 55 008 collided with a Class 101 diesel multiple unit operating an empty stock train after failing to stop at Darlington. One of the vehicles of the DMU overturned. The guard of the express was slightly injured. The cause of the accident was that the brakes on the carriages of the express had become isolated whilst the train was moving in a freak event. The train had struck an object on the track, which had caused a traction motor cover to come lose. This struck the handle of the brake isolating cock, closing it and thus separating the brakes between the locomotive and train.[3]

Original TOPS classes

When TOPS was originally introduced only the Driving Motor Brake Second (DMBS) and the Driving Motor Composite (with Lavatory) (DMCL) were classified as Class 101 (AEC engines) or Class 102 (Leyland engines). The Driving Trailer Composite (with Lavatory) (DTCL) were either Class 144 or Class 147. The Trailer Seconds (with Lavatory) (TSL) were Class 162, the Trailer Brake Second (with Lavatory) (TBSL) were Class 168 and the Trailer Composite (with Lavatory) (TCL) were Class 171. Later all the cars were reclassified, becoming Class 101.

Table of orders and numbers
Fleet numbers	Type	Class	Seating	Weight	Lot No	Diagram	Formation (Original)	Year built
50138–50151	DMC(L)	101/1	12F 45S (2/2)	32t	30249	BR 618	4-car	1956
50152–50157	DMBS	101/2	52S	32t	30252	BR 523	Power-Twin	1956/7
50158–50163	DMC(L)	101/1	12F 53S	32t	30253	BR 620	Power-Twin	1956/7
50164–50167	DMBS	101/2	52S	32t	30254	BR 523	Power-Twin	1956/7
50168–50171	DMC(L)	101/1	12F 53S	32t	30255	BR 620	Power-Twin	1956/7
50172–50197	DMC(L)	101/1	12F 53S	32t	30256	BR 620	4-car	1957
50198–50209	DMBS	101/2	52s	32t	30259	BR 523	P/Trailer	1957
50210–50233	DMBS	101/2	52s	32t	30261	BR 523	P/Trailer	1957
50234–50245	DMC(L)	101/1	12F 45S	32t	30263	BR 619	4-car	1957
50246–50248	DMBS	101/2	52S	32t	30339	BR 619	P/Trailer	1957
50250–50259	DMBS	101/2	52S	32t	30266	BR 523	Power-Twin	1957
50260–50269	DMC(L)	101/1	12f 53S	32t	30267	BR 621	Power-Twin	1957
50290–50292	DMBS	101/2	52S	32t	30270	BR 523	3-car	1957
50293–50296	DMBS	101/2	52S	32t	30270	BR 523	Power/Trailer 2-car	1957
50303–50320	DMBS	101/2	52S	32t	30275	BR 523	3-car	1958
50321–50338	DMC(L)	101/1	12F + 53S	32t	30276	BR 621	3-car	1958
50745–50747	DMC(L)	101/1	12F + 53S	32t	30271	BR 621	3-car	1957
50748–50751	DMC(L)	101/1	12F + 53S	32t	30271	BR 621	4-car	1957
51174–51203	DMBS	101/1	52S	32t	30467	BR 523	Power/Trailer 2-car	1958
51204–51223	DMBS	101/2	52S	32t	30467	BR 523	Power/Trailer 2-car	1958
51224–51253	DMBS	101/2	52S	32t	30467	BR 523	Power/Trailer 2-car	1958
51425–51434	DMBS	102/2	52S	32t	30500	BR 523	Power/Trailer 2-car	1959
51435–51444	DMBS	102/2	52S	32t	30500	BR 523	4-car	1959
51445–51470	DMBS	102/2	52S	32t	30500	BR 523	3-car	1959
51495–51504	DMC(L)	102/1	12f+53S	32t	30501	BR 621	P/Twin	1959
51505–51514	DMC(L)	102/1	12f+53S	32t	30501	BR 621	4-car	1959
51515–51540	DMC(L)	102/1	12f+53S	32t	30501	BR 621	3-car	1959
51795–51801	DMBS	102/2	52S	32t	30587	BR 523	3-car	1959
51802–51808	DMC(L)	102/1	12F+53S	32t	30588	BR 621	3-car	1959
56050–56061	DTC(L)	144	12F+53S	25t	30260	BR 630	Power/Trailer 2-car	1957
56062–56085	DTC(L)	144	12F+53S	25t	30262	BR 630	Power/Trailer 2-car	1957
56086–56089	DTC(L)	144	12F+52S	25t	30272	BR 630	Power/Trailer 2-car	1957
56218–56220	DTC(L)	144	12F+45S	25t	30340	BR 629	Power/Trailer 2-car	1957
56332–56361	DTC(L)	144	12F+53S	25t	30340	BR 630	Power/Trailer 2-car	1957
56362–56381	DTC(L)	144	12F+53S	25t	30468	BR 630	Power/Trailer 2-car	1957
56382–56411	DTC(L)	144	12F+53S	25t	30468	BR 630	Power/Trailer 2-car	1957
59042–59048	TS(L)	162	61S	25t	30250	BR 622	4-car	1956
59049–59055	TBS(L)	168	45S	25t	30251	BR 626	4-car	1956
59060–59072	TS(L)	162	71S	25t	30257	BR 623	4-car	1957
59073–59085	TBS(L)	168	53S	25t	30258	BR 627	4-car	1957
59086–59091	TS(L)	162	61S	25t	30264	BR 622	4-car	1957
59092–59097	TBS(L)	168	45S	25t	30265	BR 622	4-car	1957
59112–59113	TBS(L)	168	53S	25t	30274	BR 627	4-car	1957
59114–59131	TC(L)	171	12F+53S	25t	30277	BR 624	3-car	1957
59302–59304	TS(L)	162	71S	25t	30273	BR 623	3-car	1957
59305–59306	TC(L)	171	71S	25t	30273	BR 623	4-car	1957
59523–59542	TC(L)	171	12F+53S	25t	30277	BR 624	3-car	1957
59543–59568	TC(L)	171	12F+53S	25t	30502	BR 624	3-car	1958
59685–59692	TC(L)	171	12F+53S	25t	30589	BR 624	3-car	1959
59569–59572	TS(L)	164	71S	25t	30510	BR 623	-	1960
59573–59578	TSB(L)	165	71S	25t	30510	BR 625	-	1960

Preservation

The Class 101 was one of the largest classes of first-generation DMUs and, partly thanks to their relatively late withdrawal from revenue-earning service, numerous vehicles have been preserved on heritage railways, including the Great Central Railway and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. There are only three centre cars preserved: at the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, North Yorkshire Moors Railway and Mid-Norfolk Railway. No Trailer Brake Seconds were saved.

Set number	Vehicle numbers			Livery	Location	Notes
Set number	DMBS	TCL	DMCL	Livery	Location	Notes
101685	50164	59539	50160	BR Green	North Yorkshire Moors Railway	Last to be withdrawn, operational
960992	-	-	50193	BR Blue and Grey	Great Central Railway	Stored.
-	50203	-	50266	BR Blue	Great Central Railway	Operational
101680	50204	-	51511	BR Green	North Yorkshire Moors Railway	Stored
Iris 2	50222	-	50338	BR Green	Barry Island Railway	Operational
101692	50253	59303 (TSL)	50170	BR Green	Ecclesbourne Valley Railway	Operational
-	50256	-	56343(DTCL)	BR Blue	Wensleydale Railway	Stored
-	51187	-	51512	BR Green	Cambrian Heritage Railways	Under repair
-	51188	-	51505	BR Blue	Ecclesbourne Valley Railway	Operational (51188 on loan to North Norfolk Railway for 2018/19)
-	51189	-	51803	BR Green	Keighley and Worth Valley Railway	Operational
-	51192	-	56352(DTCL)	BR Green	North Norfolk Railway	Operational
-	51205	-	56055(DTCL)	BR Green	Cambrian Heritage Railways	Operational
101678	51210	-	50746	BR Blue / BR Blue and Grey	Wensleydale Railway	Last to be withdrawn, under restoration
-	51213	-	56358(DTCL)	BR Blue and Grey / BR Blue	East Anglian Railway Museum	Operational
101695	51226	-	51499	BR Green	Mid Norfolk Railway	Operational
-	51228	-	56062(DTCL)	BR Green	North Norfolk Railway	Operational
960993	51427	59575 (Class 111)	50321	BR Green	Great Central Railway	Operational
L836	51434(DMBC)	59117	51503	BR Blue and Grey	Mid Norfolk Railway	Operational (Currently as 2-car only)
-	-	-	56342(DTCL)	BR Blue and Grey	Great Central Railway	Under restoration
-	-	-	56347(DTCL)	BR Green	Mid Norfolk Railway	Operational
-	-	-	56356(DTCL)	Non Standard Green and Cream	Barry Island Railway	Stored
-	-	-	56408(DTCL)	SR Malachite Green	Spa Valley Railway	Operational
-	50211	-	-	Regional Railways	Private Site	Stored, cab only
-	-	-	50269	Regional Railways	Private Site	Stored, cab only
-	51177	-	-	BR Blue	Private Site, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire	Cab only, used as a store room.

In fiction

The Class 101 DMUs were the basis for the character Daisy the Diesel Railcar in The Railway Series books written by the Rev. W. Awdry, and the spinoff television series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends, although Daisy is a single car.

References

Fox 1987, pp. 8, 10-11, 15-16, 26, 28-33, 35-36.
"CLASS 101, 102, 144, 147, 162, 164, 168, 171". The RailwayCentre.Com. Archived from the original on 7 February 2009.
"Report on the collision that occurred on 16th February 1977 at Darlington in the Eastern Region of British Railways" (PDF). Department of Transport. 13 July 1978. Retrieved 2 August 2019.

The Railcar Association

Sources

Fox, Peter (1987). Multiple Unit Pocket Book. British Railways Pocket Book No.2 (Summer/Autumn 1987 ed.). Platform 5 Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0906579740. OCLC 613347580.
Fox, Peter; Webster, Neil (July 1982). Multiple Unit Pocket Book. Sheffield: Platform 5 Publications. ISBN 0-906579-26-0.
Golding, Brian. A Pictorial Record of British Railways Diesel Multiple Units.
Haresnape, Brian. British Rail Fleet Survey 8: Diesel Multiple Units—The First Generation.
Marsden, Colin J. Motive Power Recognition: 3 DMUs.
Robertson, Kevin. British Railway Pictorial: First Generation DMUs.

External links

Media related to British Rail Class 101 at Wikimedia Commons

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.

[FOOTNOTEFox19878,_10-11,_15-16,_26,_28-33,_35-36-1] Fox 1987, pp. 8, 10-11, 15-16, 26, 28-33, 35-36.

[2] "CLASS 101, 102, 144, 147, 162, 164, 168, 171". The RailwayCentre.Com. Archived from the original on 7 February 2009.

[Darlington-3] "Report on the collision that occurred on 16th February 1977 at Darlington in the Eastern Region of British Railways" (PDF). Department of Transport. 13 July 1978. Retrieved 2 August 2019.

Diesel multiple units of Great Britain
First generation units:	100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131
First Generation Original TOPS:	140 141 142 143 144 145 147 148 149 150 160 161 162 163 164 166 167 168 169 171 172 173 175 176 177 178 179 180 182 183 185 186 188 189 190
First generation units (pre-TOPS):	British United Traction Derby Lightweight Metro-Cammell Lightweight Railbus GWR railcars LMS railcars Pacerailer
Second generation units:	139 140 141 142 143 144 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 165 166 168 170 171 172 175 180 (I) 180 (II) 185 195 196 197
Diesel-electric units:	201 202 203 204 205 206 207 210 220 221 222 230 231 251 252 253 254 255
Diesel-electric units Original TOPS:	201 /1 /2 /3 202 /1 /2 /3 203 211 /1 /2 /3 212 221 /1 /2 /3 222 /1 /2 223 /1 /2 /3 224 225 251 261
Bi-Mode units:	755 756 769 800 802 804
Southern Region designations:	2H 3D 3H 3R 3T 4L 6B 6L 6S
Families	Parcels Mark 3-derived A-Train Civity Coradia D-Train Desiro FLIRT HST Networker Pacer PPM Sprinter Turbostar Voyager
British railcars and diesel multiple units Diesel locomotives Electric locomotives Miscellaneous locomotives Diesel multiple units Electric multiple units Departmental multiple units Rolling stock of Network SouthEast