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British Rail Class 119
119 L575 at Reading in 1992
In service	1958–1992
Manufacturer	Gloucester Railway Carriage & Wagon Co. Ltd
Replaced	Steam locomotives and carriages
Constructed	1958
Number built	84 cars
Number preserved	3 cars
Number scrapped	81 cars (26 DMBC, 27 DMSL, 25 TSLRB)
Formation	DMBC-TSLRB-DMSL
Capacity	DMBC: 18 first, 16 second TSLRB: 60 second DMSL: 68 second
Operators	British Rail
Lines served	Western Region
Specifications
Car body construction	Steel
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
HVAC	Oil-burning air heater
Bogies	DD10 mk3 and mk4 (DMBS, one of each) DT9 mk4 and mk5 (DTS, one of each)
Braking system(s)	Vacuum
Safety system(s)	Automatic Warning System
Coupling system	Screw
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. Built by the Gloucester Railway Carriage & Wagon Co. Ltd, the body design was based on the Swindon Cross-Country sets, but with a Derby cab. Sets were normally formed of three cars.

History

Shortly after their introduction, some 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.

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

Accidents and incidents

• On 1 August 1990, unit L576 collided with a passenger train comprising 4VEP electric multiple units 3508 & 3504, and 4CIG unit 1304 at Reading due to overrunning signals. Forty people were injured.

Preservation

• 51073 (DMBC) Ecclesbourne Valley Railway
• 51074 (DMBC) Swindon and Cricklade Railway
• 51104 (DMSL) Swindon and Cricklade Railway

2 vehicles are currently undergoing restoration on the Swindon and Cricklade Railway (updated 14/6/12), now in service (09/05/19). 1 vehicle has recently been restored on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway (updated 25/08/13).

References

1. ^ Bradley, Rodger P. (September 2018). "Gloucester Railway Carriage & Wagon Co. 1st Generation DMU's for British Railways: A Review" (PDF). Railway Matters. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
2. McCrickard, John P (6 October 2016). "January 1990 to December 1990". Network South East Railway Society. Archived from the original on 26 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
3. "Bot Verification".

Further reading

• Russell, David (June 1996). "Class 119 deal struck". Rail Express. No. 1. Foursight Publications Ltd. p. 40. ISSN 1362-234X. OCLC 498432844.

External links

• The Railcar Association - Class 119
• The Railcar Association - Class 119 photo gallery
• Ecclesbourne Valley Railway - Class 119 W51073 Restoration Diary Archived 28 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine

• British Rail diesel multiple units
• Gloucester multiple units
• Train-related introductions in 1958