British Rail Class 124

British Rail Class 124 Trans-Pennine
300px A British Rail Class 124 at Hull Paragon station in 1983.
In service	1960–1984
Manufacturer	BR Swindon Works
Number built	Eight 6-car sets, plus 3 spare cars
Formation	DMC+MBSL+TSL+TFLRB+MBSL+DMC
Operator(s)	British Rail
Specifications
Car length	64 ft 6 in (19.66 m)
Width	9 ft 3 in (2.82 m)
Height
Maximum speed	70 mph (113 km/h)
Weight	228 long tons (232 t; 255 short tons)
Prime mover(s)	230-horsepower (170 kW) Leyland Albion, 2 per power car
Multiple working	Blue Square
Track gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)

The British Rail Class 124 diesel multiple units were built by BR Swindon Works in 1960.

Introduction

The British Rail Class 124 was a class of initially six-car Diesel Multiple Units used and built specifically for the trans-pennine route. In the late 70s, the Class was merged with their Class 123 cousins that had been relocated from Reading services on Western region and towards the end of their days, ran as 4-car hybrid sets. They were all withdrawn in 1984 when their duties were taken over by Class 31/4, diesel electric locomotive hauled rakes of 4 coaches. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway had the idea of preserving at least one Driving unit (due to the cab windows allowing panoramic views), but the plan was scrapped when it was found that the cost of removing the asbestos from the vehicle was prohibitive.

The Class was not unique, the Class 124 DMUs sharing mechanical components with their sister Class 123 on Western Region and the Class 126.

"Wrap-Round" windscreens were a feature that was also seen on the "Glasgow Blue Train" Class 303 and 311 electric units; plus the GE line's 309s and the WCML's 310s, although these were later modified to cut replacement costs.

Numbering

Table of orders and numbers

Lot No.	Type	Diagram	Qty	Fleet numbers	Notes
30603	Driving Motor Open Composite (DMC)	577	17	51951–51967	21 first, 36 second seats;
30604	Motor Brake Corridor Second (MBSL)	579	17	51968–51984	6 compartments (48 seats); 2 lavatories
30605	Trailer Open Second (TSL)	573	9	59765–59773	64 seats, 2 lavatories
30606	Trailer First Buffet (TFLRB)	562	8	59774–59781	3 first compartments (18 seats); 8 seats in buffet, 2 lavatories (1 passenger, 1 staff)

In later years when operating as 4-car units, the MBSL had their engines removed to reduce maintenance, as it was deemed two Motor Vehicles where adequate. To show this change the remaining MBSL were renumbered on removal of the engines.

Old	New
51969	59834
51973	59841
51974	59835
51975	59839
51976	59838
51978	59836
51980	59842
51981	59833
51983	59840
51984	59837

Liveries

They were initially introduced in a green livery, but they never carried the common 'Whiskers' that many DMUs of the time carried. A small yellow panel was added at a later date to the cab front.

They ended their days in then standard BR blue/grey livery.

Technical details

• Builder: BR Swindon Works
• Introduced: 1960
• Coupling Code: Blue Square
• Body: 64 ft 6 in x 9 ft 3 in
• Engines: Leyland Albion 230 hp, 2 per power car
• Transmission: Standard mechanical

For coupling codes see British United Traction

References

• Motive Power Recognition: 3 DMUs. Colin J. Marsden
• British Rail Fleet Survey 8: Diesel Multiple Units- The First Generation. Brian Haresnape

External links

• History of the Class 124s