British Rail Class 109

British Rail Class 109

Preserved unit 50416+56171
In service 1957–1971
Manufacturer D. Wickham and Company
Constructed 1957–1958
Number built 5 sets
Number in service None
Number preserved 1 set
Formation 2-car sets: DMBS-DTCL
Capacity DMBS: 59 second,
DTCL: 16 first, 50 second
Operator(s) British Rail
Specifications
Car length 57 ft 0 in (17.37 m)
Width 8 ft 3 in (2.51 m)
Height 12 ft 4 12 in (3.77 m)
Maximum speed 70 mph (113 km/h)
Weight DMBS: 27 long tons 0 cwt (60,500 lb or 27.4 t)
DTCL: 37 long tons 10 cwt (84,000 lb or 38.1 t)
Prime mover(s) 2 x 150bhp British United Traction Leyland 6 cylinder horizontal
Transmission fluid coupling and air operated 4-speed epicyclic gear box
UIC classification 1A′A1′+2′2′
Bogies standard Derby 8 feet 6 inches (2.59 m) wheelbase
Braking system(s) Vacuum
Coupling system Screw-link; British Standard gangways
Multiple working Blue Square
Track gauge 4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm)

The British Rail Class 109 is a class of 2-car diesel multiple units built in 1957 by D Wickham & Co. Five two-car units were built featuring an unusual body design. The design, first used in 1936 for South American railways, aimed to minimise weight. It had no underframe, but the whole body was formed into a welded stress-bearing box girder made of 18 inch (3.2 mm) solid drawn steel tube. Aluminium was used for panels, luggage racks, window frames, vacuum pipes and fuel and vacuum tanks. The corrugated steel floor was filled with sprayed asbestos and covered with asbestos-filled flame-proofed hardboard and rubber sheet.[1]

The units soon became non-standard and two were sold back to the manufacturer who exported them to Trinidad and Tobago. Another unit was converted into departmental service, and survived in BR ownership until the early 1980s.

Vehicle numbers

Orders and numbers of Class 109 cars[2]
Lot No. Diagram Car Type Qty Fleet No. Seating Weight Notes
30288 606 Driving Motor Brake Second (DMBS) 5 50415–50419 59 second 27 long tons 0 cwt (60,500 lb or 27.4 t)
30289 607 Driving Trailer Composite with lavatory (DTCL) 5 56170–56174 16 first (2+2), 50 second (2+3) 22 long tons 10 cwt (50,400 lb or 22.9 t)

Further use

One two-car set (50416+56171) was extensively overhauled in 1967 at Doncaster, revamping the interiors and adding kitchen facilities added to 50416. After repainting, the set was used as the ER General Managers special train, numbered 975005 / 975006.[3]

Preservation

One two-car unit, (see above) the former departmental unit, formed of vehicles 50416 and 56171, has been preserved and restored to working condition at the Llangollen Railway. It was restored using lottery money.[4]

Set number Vehicle numbers Livery Location Notes
DMBS DTCL
- 50416 56171 BR Green Llangollen Railway Operational

References

  1. Railway Magazine September 1957 pp. 606-608
  2. "Numbering of the Class 109s". www.railcar.co.uk. The Railcar Association.
  3. "Non-passenger use of the Class 109s". www.railcar.co.uk. The Railcar Association.
  4. "Preservation of the Class 109s". www.railcar.co.uk. The Railcar Association.

External links

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