British Rail Class 115

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 8-12 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.

British Rail Class 115
A Class 115 at Marylebone in April 1981.
In service1960–1998
ManufacturerBR Derby
Family nameFirst generation
ReplacedSteam locomotives and carriages
Number built41 four-car sets
Number preserved15 cars

9 (DMBS) 4 (TCL)

2 (TS)
SuccessorClass 165
FormationDMBSTCLTS–DMBS
CapacityDMBS: 78 Second;
TCL 30 First, 40 Second;
TS: 106 Second;
4-car total: 30 First, 302 Second
Operator(s)British Rail
Line(s) servedChiltern Main Line, London to Aylesbury Line
Specifications
Car length63 ft 6 in (19.35 m)
Width9 ft 3 in (2.82 m)
Maximum speed70 mph (110 km/h)
Weight135 long tons (137 t; 151 short tons) trainset
Prime mover(s)Two 230 hp (172 kW) BUT (Leyland Albion) per DMBS
Power output920 hp (686 kW) per set
AuxiliariesAlbion
Safety system(s)AWS, Tripcock
Multiple working Blue Square
Track gauge4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm)

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.

Some sets were also built for the CLC line between Liverpool and Manchester. These were later transferred to Marylebone. They 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.TypeDiagramQtyFleet numbersNotes
30530Driving Motor Brake Second (DMBS)5983051651–51680
30531Trailer Open Second (TS)5901559649–59663
30532Trailer Composite with lavatory (TCL)5991559664–59678
30595Driving Motor Brake Second (DMBS)5981251849–51860
30596Trailer Open Second (TS)590659713–59718
30597Trailer Composite with lavatory (TCL)599659719–59724
30598Driving Motor Brake Second (DMBS)5984051861–51900
30599Trailer Open Second (TS)5902059725–59744
30600Trailer Composite with lavatory (TCL)5992059745–59764

Accidents and incidents

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 traveling 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

A Class 115 at Aylesbury in 1984.
  • Builder: BR Derby
  • Introduced: 1960
  • Coupling Code: Blue Square
  • Body: 63 ft 6 in (19.35 m) × 9 ft 3 in (2.82 m)
  • Engines: BUT (Leyland Albion) of 230 hp (172 kW) (2 per DMBS)
  • Transmission: Standard mechanical
  • Weight: DMBS 38 long tons (39 t; 43 short tons); TCL 30 long tons (30 t; 34 short tons); TS 29 long tons (29 t; 32 short tons)

Preservation

A set preserved on the West Somerset Railway

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

Set number Vehicle numbers Livery Location Notes
DMBS TCL DMBS
- 51655 - - BR Green Private Site Static Display
- 51669 - - BR Green Midland Railway - Butterley Stored
- 51849 - - BR Green Midland Railway - Butterley Stored
- 51859 59678 51880 BR Green West Somerset Railway Operational
- 51886 59761 51899 BR Green Buckinghamshire Railway Centre Stored
- 51887 - - Blood and Custard West Somerset Railway Under Restoration
- - 59659(TS) - BR Green Midland Railway - Butterley Stored
- - 59664 - BR Green Midsomer Norton railway station Under Restoration
- - 59719 - BR Green Dartmouth Steam Railway Operational
- - 59740(TS) - BR lined maroon South Devon Railway Static - in use as Station Buffet at Staverton
- 51663 - - West Somerset Railway Underframe only spare parts

References

  • The Railcar Association
  • Motive Power Recognition: 3 DMUs. Colin J. Marsden
  • British Railway Pictorial: First Generation DMUs. Kevin Robertson
  • British Rail Fleet Survey 8: Diesel Multiple Units- The First Generation. Brian Haresnape
  • A Pictorial Record of British Railways Diesel Multiple Units. Brian Golding
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