British Rail Class 116

British Rail Class 116
Class 116 at Birmingham New Street.
Interior.
In service 1961–1990
Manufacturer BR Derby
Constructed 1957–1961
Number built
  • DMBS: 108
  • DMS: 108
  • TC: 94
Formation 2 or 3 cars per trainset
Capacity
  • DMBS: 85 second
  • DMS: 95 second
  • TC: 28 first, 74 second
Operator(s) British Rail
Specifications
Car length 64 ft 0 in (19.51 m)
Width 9 ft 3 in (2.82 m)
Height 12 ft 4 1⁄2 in (3.77 m)
Maximum speed 70 mph (113 km/h)
Weight Power cars: 36 long tons 0 cwt (80,600 lb or 36.6 t),
Trailer cars: 28 long tons 10 cwt (63,800 lb or 29 t)
Prime mover(s) Two BUT of 150 hp (112 kW) per power car
Power output 600 hp (447 kW) per set
Multiple working ■ Blue Square
Track gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)

The British Rail Class 116 diesel multiple units were built by BR Derby from 1957 to 1961.

Background and design

These units were originally ordered for use on suburban and local services in the Birmingham area, but many found their way to other areas such as South Wales.[1]

The class were similar in design to the Class 114, but were fitted out as high density sets, built for short distance, high capacity services, and so were built without gangways or toilets, although gangways were later fitted on some units. They were originally capable of accommodating 262 passengers.[1][2]

Table of order and numbers
Lot No.TypeDiagramQtyFleet numbersNotes
30211Driving Motor Brake Second (DMBS)5534250050–50091
30212Trailer Composite (TC)5553259000–59031
30213Driving Motor Second (DMS)5544250092–50133
30363Driving Motor Brake Second (DMBS)5535350818–50870
30364Driving Motor Second (DMS)5545350871–50923
30365Trailer Composite (TC)5555159326–59376
30446Driving Motor Brake Second (DMBS)5531351128–51140
30447Driving Motor Second (DMS)5541351141–51153
30448Trailer Composite (TC)5551159438–59448

Regular use

These units stayed in regular service until 1990, when they began to be withdrawn from traffic. They were replaced on regional services by the new "Sprinter" derivative units, or by Class 323 electric multiple units on services around Birmingham. The final units lasted in traffic until 1995, although a few saw further use in departmental service, as sandite or route-learner units. Several of this class have been saved for preservation.

Parcels use

Three units were converted to carry parcels traffic and reclassified as Class 130, though the individual coaches were not renumbered. The units involved were:

  • 50819 + 50872
  • 50862 + 50915
  • 51137 + 51150
  • W50915 reverted back to standard Class 116 configuration in 1977 and transferred to Tyseley

To provide extra capacity, they worked with modified General Utility Vans (GUV) as centre trailers.

Preservation

5 vehicles have been preserved on heritage railways.

Vehicles Numbers Set Number Location Comments
DMBS TC DMS
51131 - - T326 Battlefield Railway
51138 - 51151 T333 Great Central Railway Nottingham 51138 was used as a sandite vehicle after retirement from normal service.
- 59003 - - Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway
- 59004 - - Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway
- 59444 - - Chasewater Railway

References

  • Motive Power Recognition: 3 DMUs. Colin J. Marsden
  • British Railway Pictorial: First Generation DMUs. Kevin Robertson
  • British Rail Fleet Survey 8: Diesel Multiple Units- The First Generation. Brian Haresnape
  • A Pictorial Record of British Railways Diesel Multiple Units. Brian Golding
  1. 1 2 "Class 116 Derby 3 - car sets". Railcar.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 July 2008. Retrieved 18 Sep 2013.
  2. ↑ "Description of the Class". railcar.co.uk. Archived from the original on 13 October 2008. Retrieved 18 Sep 2013.


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