British Rail Class 115 Explained

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British Rail Class 115
Service:1960–1998
Manufacturer:BR Derby
Family:First generation
Replaced:Steam locomotives and carriages
Numberbuilt:41 four-car sets
Numberpreserved:15 cars 9 (DMBS) 4 (TCL) 2 (TS)
Successor:Class 165
Formation:–––DMBS
Capacity:DMBS: 78 Second;
TCL 30 First, 40 Second;
TS: 106 Second;
4-car total: 30 First, 302 Second
Operator:British Rail
Lines:Chiltern Main Line, London to Aylesbury Line
Carlength:63feet
Width:9feet
Maxspeed:70mph
Weight:135LT trainset
Engine:Two 2300NaN0 BUT (Leyland Albion) per DMBS
Poweroutput:9200NaN0 per set
Aux:Albion
Safety:AWS, Tripcock
Multipleworking: Blue Square

The British Rail Class 115 diesel multiple units were 41 high-density sets which operated the outer-suburban services from Marylebone usually to destinations such as High Wycombe, Aylesbury and Banbury which are on the Chiltern Main Line and Great Central Main Line (now the London to Aylesbury Line). Sometimes, these sets used to operate 8- or 12-car-long expresses to Nottingham Victoria in the final years of the GCML. Coincidentally, Class 115 units operated services under Table 115 in the British Rail timetable.

Construction and service

Based on the basic Derby high density design, the sets are similar to Class 127 but were internally superior as the class had larger windows, better furnishings, lighting and wall surfaces.

Six sets were also built for the Cheshire Lines Committee (CLC) line between Liverpool and Manchester, where in 1960 they replaced steam haulage on the limited stop services via Warrington. These units lasted on the CLC until the mid-1980s when the principal services on that line became locomotive-hauled once again using Class 31 diesels. The CLC units were then transferred to join the identical ones at Marylebone.

Class 115 units also worked from Tyseley in the later years.

The Marylebone sets, which were later transferred to Bletchley but remained on Chiltern Line duties (and finally to Old Oak Common), were declared surplus after the introduction of Class 165s, from 1991 onwards. While at Bletchley and Old Oak Common depots the class found use on the Gospel Oak to Barking line, units being formed as power twins. They were, in turn, replaced on this line by Class 117 power twins, displaced from Paddington suburban duties.

The final class 115 working out of Marylebone was on 29 July 1992. The Tyseley vehicles survived a bit longer, until February 1994.

Some of the class briefly found their way on to the Redhill to Tonbridge Line to replace ageing DEMU sets. The line was electrified in 1993, in order to allow a diversionary route for the Eurostar, and the class 115s were replaced initially with Class 411 EMUs, then ex-Merseyrail Class 508 EMUs in 1998 (after privatisation).

Table of orders and numbers! Lot No. !! Type !! Diagram !! Qty !! Fleet numbers !! Notes
30530 Driving Motor Brake Second (DMBS) 598 30 51651–51680
30531 Trailer Open Second (TS) 590 15 59649–59663
30532 Trailer Composite with lavatory (TCL) 599 15 59664–59678
30595 Driving Motor Brake Second (DMBS) 598 12 51849–51860
30596 Trailer Open Second (TS) 590 6 59713–59718
30597 Trailer Composite with lavatory (TCL) 599 6 59719–59724
30598 Driving Motor Brake Second (DMBS) 598 40 51861–51900
30599 Trailer Open Second (TS) 590 20 59725–59744
30600 Trailer Composite with lavatory (TCL) 599 20 59745–59764

Accidents and incidents

See main article: Seer Green rail crash.

On 11 December 1981, two four-car Class 115 units were involved in a collision between Gerrards Cross and Seer Green. The driver of an empty stock train, traveling from Marylebone to Princes Risborough, had stopped in the cutting between Gerrards Cross and Seer Green, to clear tree branches that were overhanging and had fallen onto the track, due to very heavy snow fall. Behind the empty stock train, a passenger train travelling from Marylebone to Banbury, was, incorrectly, authorised to pass a signal at danger at Gerrards Cross, entering the same section of track and partially telescoped the stationary train. Four people were killed, including the driver of the passenger train, and five others were seriously injured.

Technical details

Preservation

15 vehicles are preserved. DMBS 51677 was scrapped in early 2017.[1]

Set numberVehicle numbersLiveryLocationNotes
DMBSTCLDMBS
align=center-51655align=center-align=center-BR GreenPrivate SiteStatic Display
align=center-51669align=center-align=center-BR GreenMidland Railway - ButterleyStored
align=center-51849align=center-align=center-BR GreenMidland Railway - ButterleyStored
align=center-518595967851880BR GreenWest Somerset RailwayOperational
align=center-518865976151899BR GreenBuckinghamshire Railway CentreStored
align=center-51887align=center-align=center-Blood and CustardWest Somerset RailwayUnder Restoration
align=center-align=center-59659(TS)align=center-BR GreenMidland Railway - ButterleyStored
align=center-align=center-59664align=center-BR GreenMidsomer Norton railway stationUnder Restoration
align=center-align=center-59719align=center-BR GreenDartmouth Steam RailwayOperational
align=center-align=center-59740(TS)align=center-BR lined maroonSouth Devon RailwayStatic - in use as Station Buffet at Staverton
align=center-51663align=center-align=center-West Somerset RailwayUnderframe only spare parts

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: BR 51677 Class 115 DMU: Driving Motor Brake Second(scrapped) built 1960.