British Rail Class 950

The British Rail Class 950 is a diesel multiple unit that was purpose-built by British Rail Engineering Limited's Holgate Road carriage works for the British Rail Research Division for use as a track assessment unit. It is currently operated by Network Rail.

British Rail Class 950
950001 at Upton on 15 January 2014
ManufacturerBritish Rail Engineering Limited
Built atHolgate Road carriage works
Family nameSprinter
Number built1 set
Formation2 cars
Fleet numbers999600-999601[1]
Operator(s)Network Rail
Depot(s)ZA (RTC) (1994)[1]
Specifications
Maximum speed75 mph (121 km/h)
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge

Description
Cab of 999600, showing the video camera and laser measurement equipment.

It was built in 1987 using the same bodyshell as the Class 150/1 Sprinters.[2] It was originally classified as a Class 180, but was reclassified into the departmental series. As part of the privatisation of British Rail, it passed to Railtrack in 1994 and then Network Rail in 2002. The unit is formed of two driving motor vehicles. Individual carriages numbered as follows:

  • DM: 999600-999601

Current operations

The unit is currently painted in a plain overall yellow livery with Network Rail branding. It mostly works on branch lines, where the track quality is not good enough for larger and heavier track assessment stock. It is able to operate over most railway lines around Great Britain. The unit is based at the Railway Technical Centre in Derby.

British Rail class 950, unit 950001 with camera removed and 7 panels of LED lights fitted.

Fleet details
Class Operator No. Built Year Built Cars per Set Unit nos. Notes
950 Network Rail 1 1987 2 950001

References
  1. Fox, Peter; Hughes, Barry (1994). DMUs & Channel Tunnel Stock. British Railways Pocket Book No.3 (7th ed.). Platform 5. p. 50-51. ISBN 9781872524597.
  2. Sprinter track recorder handed-over to BR The Railway Magazine issue 1041 January 1988 page 9
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