British Rail Classes 101 and 102

British Rail Classes 101 and 102
A Class 101 at Reading in 1989
Interior of 101654
In service1956–2003
ManufacturerMetropolitan Cammell
Order no.
List
  • 30467 (DMBS, 51174-51253)
  • 30500 (DMBS, 51425-51470)
  • 30501 (DMCL, 51495-51540)
  • 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 (TSL, 59302-59306)
  • 30502 (TCL, 59525-59568)
  • 30510 (TSL, 59569-59571)
  • 30589 (TCL, 59686-59692)[1]
Family nameFirst generation
ReplacedSteam locomotives and carriages
Constructed1956–1960
Entered service1956
Number builtClass 101: 527 (DMCL: 97, DMBS: 217, DTCL: 120, TSL: 41, TSLRB: 6, TCL: 18, TBSL: 28)
Class 102: 106 (DMCL: 53, TCL: 53)
Number preserved41 cars
Formation2-, 3-, or 4-car sets
OperatorsBritish Rail
Network SouthEast
ScotRail
First North Western
Depots
Specifications
Car length57 ft 0 in (17.37 m)
Width9 ft 3 in (2.82 m)
Height3.77 m (12 ft 4 in)
Maximum speed70 mph (113 km/h)
Weight32.5 tonnes (32.0 long tons; 35.8 short tons) (powered),
25 tonnes (25 long tons; 28 short tons) (unpowered)[4]
Prime mover(s)Two BUT (AEC or Leyland) 6-cylinder diesels
Power output150 bhp (112 kW) each engine
TransmissionMechanical: 4-speed epicyclic gearbox
Braking system(s)Vacuum
Coupling systemScrew-link couplings, British Standard gangways
Multiple working Blue Square
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)

The British Rail Classes 101 and 102 diesel-mechanical 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.[5]

  1. ^ a b Fox 1987, pp. 8, 10–11, 15–16, 26, 28–33, 35–36.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Fox 1986, pp. 136–147.
  3. ^ Fox, Hall & Webster 2001, pp. 186–187.
  4. ^ "CLASS 101, 102, 144, 147, 162, 164, 168, 171". The RailwayCentre.Com. Archived from the original on 7 February 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  5. ^ "Class 101 DMU". railcar.co.uk.