British Rail Class 119

British Rail Class 119
In service 1958–1990s
Manufacturer Gloucester Railway Carriage & Wagon Co. Ltd
Constructed 1958
Scrapped 81 cars (28 DMBC, 28 DMSL, 25 TSLRB)
Number preserved 3 cars
Formation DMBC-TSLRB-DMSL
Capacity
  • DMBC: 18 first, 16 second
  • TSLRB: 60 second
  • DMSL: 68 second
Operator(s) British Rail
Specifications
Car length 64 ft 6 in (19.66 m)
Width 9 ft 3 in (2.82 m)
Height 12 ft 8 1⁄4 in (3.87 m)
Maximum speed 70 mph (113 km/h)
Weight
  • DMBC: 37.0 long tons (37.6 t; 41.4 short tons)
  • TSLRB: 31.0 long tons (31.5 t; 34.7 short tons)
  • DMSL: 38.0 long tons (38.6 t; 42.6 short tons)
Prime mover(s) Two BUT (AEC), then BUT (Leyland 680-1595) of 150 hp (112 kW) per power car
Power output 600 hp (447 kW) per 3-car set
Transmission Mechanical
Safety system(s) Automatic Warning System
Multiple working ■ Blue Square
Track gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)

The British Rail Class 119 DMUs were used throughout the Western Region and on services in the Midlands sourced by Tyseley Depot. Shortly after their introduction, sets were transferred from Cardiff to serve the intermediate stations on outer suburban services from London Paddington to Oxford. These were as 7-car sets, with the addition of Hawksworth composites adapted to run as DMU trailers.

Sets worked over most of the Western Region, notable early use being the last passenger train over the Plympton branch. Minehead, Calne and Bridport branches that have since closed were also served by the sets, which also covered main line services in company with the Swindon Cross Country sets.

Visually, the body design was based on the Swindon Cross-Country sets, but with a Derby cab.

As with most asbestos contaminated stock, there were heavy withdrawals, but a number were rebuilt internally after asbestos removal. The rebuilt sets were frequently used on express services from Reading to Gatwick Airport along the Reading-Gatwick link and on stopping services to Tonbridge. Units stabled at Redhill Station overnight would find themselves being fuelled at Selhust Depot, working parcels services to London Bridge and at Clapham Junction working the early morning service to Kensington Olympia.

The fleet was displaced by the 'Turbo' Class 165 and Class 166 fleets in 1992.

Orders

Lot No. Car Type Diagram Qty Fleet Numbers Notes
30421 Driving Motor Brake Composite (DMBC) 540 28 51052–51079
30422 Driving Motor Second with lavatory (DMSL) 541 28 51080–51107
30423 Trailer Second Buffet (TSLRB) 542 25 59413–59437

Preservation

2 vehicles are currently undergoing restoration on the Swindon and Cricklade Railway (updated 14/6/12). 1 vehicle has recently been restored on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway (updated 25/08/13).

Further reading

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