British Rail Class 101
| British Rail Class 101 | |
|---|---|
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London-based Class 101 no. 54405 (from set L220) in Network SouthEast livery
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| In service | 1956–2003 |
| Manufacturer | Metropolitan Cammell |
| Order no. |
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| Constructed | 1956–1960 |
| 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 |
| Depot(s) | |
| 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) |
| 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 |
| 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 Class 101 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. This class proved to be one of the most successful and longest-lived of BR's First Generation DMUs, second in age only to the Class 121, with the final five units being withdrawn on 24 December 2003.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.
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.
In The Railway Series books by the Rev. W. Awdry, the character Daisy the Diesel Rail-Car, a Class 101, was introduced to assist on the Branch Line when Thomas was away for repairs after crashing into a stationmaster's house.
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 two centre cars preserved: one at the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway and the other at the Mid-Norfolk Railway. One buffet car survived and is at the Great Central Railway. No Trailer Brake Seconds were saved.
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