British Rail Class 204

The British Rail Class 204 designation has been used twice for two similar types of diesel-electric multiple units.

British Rail Class 204
204004 at Eastleigh in 1986
In service1957–1987
ReplacedSteam locomotives and carriages
Scrapped1987
Number built8 units (3 rebuilt from Class 205)
Number preserved1 driving trailer
Number scrapped7 complete units
Fleet numbers1401-1404
204001-004
Operator(s)British Railways
Line(s) servedSouthern Region
Specifications
Prime mover(s)English Electric 4SRKT Mark II
Power output600 shp (450 kW) at 850 rpm
Track gauge4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)

History

The original units, numbered in the range 1119-1122, were two-car versions of the Class 205 '3H' units, and were classified as 2H under the old system.

In 1979, BR decided to augment the two-car units to three-car formation. Three of the four units were reformed with the addition of centre trailers taken from 3H (Class 205) units, and thus were themselves reclassified as Class 205.

The fourth 2H unit, and the three former 3H units which had given up their trailers, were augmented by reusing the ex-2EPB driving trailers from redundant Class 206 units. The Class 204 designation was re-applied to these four newly formed units (which were also given the classification 3T under the old system). They were renumbered into the range 1401-1404. In 1986, the units were renumbered to 204001-004 to conform with the TOPS numbering system.

Technical details

Power car (one per set)

  • Introduced: 1957
  • Weight: 56 long tons (57 t; 63 short tons)
  • Engine: English Electric 4-cylinder type 4SRKT Mark II of 600 bhp (450 kW) at 850 rpm
  • Transmission: Diesel-electric, two English Electric type EE507 traction motors rated at 186 kW (249 hp) (250 hp or 190 kW) each.
  • Maximum tractive effort: 12,500 lbf (56,000 N)
  • Driving wheel diameter: 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
  • Coupling code: Standard 'Buckeye' compatible with contemporary class 20x and 4xx units.
  • Train heating: Electric

Fleet details
Key: Reclassified Reformed Scrapped

Original Class 204 (2H) Units

Unit Number DMBSO DTCsoL Disbanded[1] Status
1119 60118 60818 3/1980 Reclassified as 3H (unit 1119) with addition of TSO 60653
1120 60119 60819 3/1980 Reclassified as 3H (unit 1120) with addition of TSO 60652
1121 60120 60820 5/1974 Reclassified as 3H (unit 1108) with addition of TSO 60657
1122 60121 60821 2/1980 Converted to 3T unit 1402 with addition of DTSso 77508

Reformed Class 204 (3T) Units

Unit Number DMBSO DTSso DTCsoL Withdrawn Status
New Old Original
204001 1401 1108 * 60107 77500 60807 8/1987 Scrapped
204002 1402 1122    60121 77508 60821 11/1987 Scrapped
204003 1403 1103 * 60102 77507 60802 9/1987 Scrapped
204004 1404 1104 * 60103 77503 60803 8/1987 Scrapped

* ex-Class 205

Preservation

Of the original 2H units, a single driving trailer has been preserved.

  • 205008 (ex-1121) - DTCsoL 60820 - Hastings Diesels, currently at the Lavender Line.

None of the reformed 3T units are preserved.

References
  1. Disbanded Dates and Withdrawal Dates from H. Longworth, British Railways First Generation DMUs, Oxford Publishing Company 2011 ISBN 978-0-86093-612-1


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