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List of British Rail diesel multiple unit classes facts for kids

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This is a list of British Rail diesel multiple-unit train classes.

For a historical overview of diesel multiple unit train development in Great Britain, see British railcars and diesel multiple units.

Pre-nationalisation designs

First Generation

Early BR DMUs (79xxx series)

Manufacturer Engines (per motor car) Transmission Type Built Quantity (sets) Withdrawn Notes Image Scrapped
BR Derby 'Lightweight' 2 × Leyland 125 bhp (93 kW) or 2 × AEC 150 bhp (112 kW) hydraulic (2 car) or mechanical (single car) low density 1954-1959 217 vehicles 1967-1969 7 vehicles survived in departmental stock until 1977-1994 Derby Lightweight Single Unit 79900.jpg 215
Metro-Cammell 'Lightweight' 2 × AEC 150 bhp (112 kW) mechanical 1955-1956 36 sets 79047 + 79053 survived in departmental stock until 1981. Brundall railway station 1928229 d86da465.jpg All
AC Cars Railbuses 1 × AEC 150 bhp (112 kW) railbus 1958 5 1968 W79978 at Colne Valley Railway.jpg 3 (1 in preservation)
Bristol-ECW Railbuses 1 × Gardner 112 bhp (84 kW) 2 1966 All
Park Royal Railbuses 1 × AEC 150 bhp (112 kW) 5 1966-1968
Waggon and Maschinenbau Railbuses 1 × Büssing 150 bhp (112 kW) 1966-1967 Railbus 79964 at York Railfest.JPG 1
Wickham Railbuses 1 × Meadows 105 bhp (78 kW) 6 1966 Elliot Track Recorder survived in departmental use until 1997 Leeds Middleton railway - geograph.org.uk - 1018379.jpg 5

TOPS classes

Class Manufacturer Engines (per motor car) Transmission Type Built Quantity (sets) Withdrawn Notes Image Scrapped
Class 100 Gloucester RC&W 2 × AEC 150 bhp (112 kW) mechanical low density 1957–1958 40 sets (80 cars) 1969–1988 56315 used by Fisons as a Weedkiller Vehicle until 1988 BR Class 100.jpg About 79 (3 in preservation)
Class 101 Metro-Cammell 1956–1960 527 sets 1957 (1)
1978–2003
2 survived in departmental stock until 2009–2012 Class 101s at Duffield.jpg About 502 (9 in preservation)
Class 102 2 × Leyland 150 bhp (112 kW) 106 sets 101679 at Marple in 1997.jpg
Class 103 Park Royal 2 × AEC 150 bhp (112 kW) 1957 20 sets (40 cars) 1972–1983 3 vehicles survived in departmental stock until 1985-1990 The rear oil lamp being placed on a Class 103 at Kingswear station. About 19 (3 in preservation)
Class 104 Birmingham RC&W 2 × Leyland 150 bhp (112 kW) 1957–1959 302 cars 1980–1995 50517 and 50455 at Bewdley.JPG About 63
Class 105 Cravens 2 × AEC 150 bhp (112 kW) 1956–1959 302 cars 1976–1988 6 vehicles survived in departmental stock until 1989–1990. BR Class 105 E51282 and E56461 Longsight.jpg About 300
Class 106 2 × Leyland 150 bhp (112 kW)
Class 107 BR Derby 'Heavyweight' 2 × AEC 150 bhp (112 kW) 1960 26 sets (78 cars) 1973 (1)
1983–1992
6 vehicles survived in sandite use until 1995 Class 107 in Largs (April 1984).jpg About 19 sets (66 cars)
Class 108 2 × Leyland 150 bhp (112 kW) 1958–1961 333 cars 1964 (1)
1974 (1)
1990–1993
56208 and 51935 at Bewdley.JPG About 138
Class 109 D Wickham & Co 1957–1958 5 sets 1971 BR Class 109 Llangollen.jpg 4
Class 110 Birmingham RC&W 'Calder Valley' 2 × Rolls-Royce C6NFLH 180 bhp (134 kW) 1961–1962 30 sets 1963 (3)
1971–1972 (3)
1983 (3)
1986–1991
BR Class 110 3-car.jpg About 28 sets (85 vehicles)
Class 111 Metro-Cammell 1957–1960 23 train sets 1989 Last unpowered car went in 2000 British Rail Class 111 at Skipton.jpg About 23 (50 vehicles)
Class 112 Cravens 1 × Rolls-Royce C8NFLH 238 bhp (177 kW) 1959–1960 25 sets (50 cars) 1968–1969 Bromley Cross railway station in 1978.jpg All
Class 113 1 × Rolls-Royce C8NFLH 238 bhp (177 kW) hydraulic 25 sets (50 cars) M51734, M51763 by Hugh Llewelyn.jpg
Class 114 BR Derby 'Heavyweight' 2 × Leyland 230 bhp (172 kW) mechanical 1956–1957 (entered service 1960) 50 sets (100 cars) 1962 (1)
1965 (1)
1967 (prototype)
1970–1971 (6)
1984 (2)
1986–1992
54904 and 55929 survived as an ATP Test Unit (ADB 977775/6) until 2004. 56006 at Kidderminster.JPG About 48 sets (95 vehicles)
Class 115 BR Derby 'Suburban' 2 × Albion 230 bhp (172 kW) high density 1960 41 four-car sets 1991–1994 13.04.81 London Marylebone Class 115 (12331491743).jpg About 30 sets (149 vehicles; 3 in preservation)
Class 116 2 × Leyland 150 bhp (112 kW) 1957–1961 310 cars 1961 (1)
1983 (32)
1987–1995
2 converted to Class 130 T318 - Birmingham New Street (8961269573).jpg About (304 vehicles; 5 in preservation)
Class 117 Pressed Steel 'Suburban' 1959–1961 123 cars 1993–2000 Rail-class-117-51402-amoswolfe.jpg 30
Class 118 Birmingham RC&W 'Suburban' 1960 15 sets (45 cars) 1994 Set T326 (51131 and 51321) at Arley.JPG About 14 sets (44 cars)
Class 119 Gloucester RC&W 'Cross-Country' cross country 1958 84 cars 1992–1995 B585 at Bristol Temple Meads.jpg About 28 sets (81 cars)
Class 120 BR Swindon 'Cross-Country' 2 × AEC 150 bhp (112 kW) 194 cars 1989 Class 120 at Manchester Victoria.jpg About 64 sets (193 cars)
Class 121 Pressed Steel 'Bubble Car' 2 × AEC 150 bhp (112 kW) high density 1960–1961 26 1978 (2)
1991–2017
Last first-generation DMU in service, 55022 still in departmental use 121020 at Bewdley.JPG 12 (2 in preservation)
Class 122 Gloucester RC&W 'Bubble Car' 2 × AEC 150 bhp (112 kW) 1959 29 1979–1995 4 survived in departmental stock until 1998–2011. 55006 at Bewdley.JPG 8
Class 123 BR Swindon 'Intercity' 2 × Albion 230 bhp (172 kW) intercity 1963 40 (Ten 4-car units) 1984 Buffets withdrawn in 1970 and a DMBS and DMSK withdrawn in 1977 and 1979 respectively. Mixed 4 car DMU Class 123 124 at Manchester Piccadilly.jpg All
Class 124 BR Swindon 'Trans-Pennine' 2 × Albion 230 bhp (172 kW) mechanical 1960 Eight 6-car sets, plus 3 spare cars 1972 (3)
1975
1979–1984
04.09.83 Hull Class 124 (5931457833).jpg
Class 125 BR Derby 'Lea Valley' 2 × Rolls-Royce C8NFLH 238 bhp (177 kW) hydraulic high density 1958 20 three-car sets 1971 (1)
1976–1977
59458/66 survived as fire test vehicles 975993/4 until 1986–1988. E51156, M59454, E50990 & E51159, E59453, E51005 (8416847169).jpg
Class 126 BR Swindon 'Intercity' 2 × AEC 150 bhp (112 kW) mechanical intercity 1959 22 1970 (1)
1973 (3)
1979–1982
Glasgow Central Cravens split code end Class 126 and Class 107.jpg About 21 (62 cars; 3 in preservation)
Class 127 BR Derby 'Bed-Pan' 2 × Rolls-Royce C8NFLH 238 bhp (177 kW) hydraulic high density 1959 30 sets (120 vehicles) 1964 (1)
1966 (1)
1968 (1)
1972 (1)
1975–1977 (8)
1982–1993
22 rebuilt in 1985 55976 at Bewdley.JPG About 27 vehicles (112 vehicles; 3 in preservation)
Class 128 Gloucester RC&W 'Parcels' 2 × Albion 230 bhp (172 kW) mechanical parcels 1959–1960 10 1971 (1)
1979–1980 (2)
1982 (2)
1990
British Rail Class 128 train 55993.jpg All
Class 129 Cravens 'Parcels' 2 × Leyland 150 bhp (112 kW) 1955 (entered service 1958) 3 1972–1973 M55997 survived in departmental stock until 1986
Class 130 Parcels conversion from Class 116 1957–1961
(converted 1969)
2 1972 Parcels conversion from Class 116 Gloucester RC & W Co Motor Parcels Van W55992 & BR (Derby) Class 130 Motor Parcels Van W50915 (8326083389).jpg
Class 131 Parcels conversion from Class 122 2 × AEC 150 bhp (112 kW) 1959
(converted 1966, 1969 and 1971)
3 1976 Parcels conversion from Class 122

Second generation

Lightweight railcars

Class Manufacturer Date Built Number Built Withdrawn Image Scrapped
Class 139 Parry People Movers 2008 2 × single cars still in use Parry People Mover 139001 at Stourbridge Junction Railway Station (geograph 6253739).jpg None

Pacers

Class Manufacturer Date Built Number Built Withdrawn Image Scrapped
Leyland
Prototypes
BREL-Leyland 1978-84 4 × single cars 1978-1997 LEV1 at Weybourne Station.jpg None
Class 140 1980 1 × 2-car set 1981 British Rail class 140.jpg
Class 141 1984 20 × 2-car sets Britain 1997, Iran 2005 141108 at Colne Valley Railway.jpg 4 (2 in preservation)
Class 142 1985-87 96 × 2-car sets 2019–2021 Preston - Arriva 142037+156488 Colne service.JPG 52
Class 143 Barclay-Alexander 1985-86 25 × 2-car sets 2020 Dawlish - GWR 143603 Paignton service.JPG 5
Class 144 BREL-Alexander 1986-87 13 × 2-car and 10 × 3-car sets Pontefract Baghill 2018.jpg 1

Sprinters

Class Manufacturer Date Built Number Built Withdrawn Image Scrapped
Class 150
Sprinter
BREL 1984–7 135 × 2-car and 2 × 3-car sets Still in use Hebden Bridge - Arriva 150139+150115 Leeds service.JPG 1
Class 151 Metro-Cammell 1985 2 × 3-car units 1989 151001 Matlock.jpg Both
Class 152 N/A Never built Proposed single car conversion of Class 156 Never built Never built
Class 153
Super Sprinter
BREL-Leyland 1991–2 70 × single cars (Converted from Class 155) Still in use Hebden Bridge - Arriva 153378+158784 arriving from Chester.JPG None
Class 154 BREL 1985 1 × 3 car unit converted from Class 150 Converted back to Class 150 154001 Manton.jpg
Class 155
Super Sprinter
BREL-Leyland 1987–8 42 × 2-car sets
7 × 2-car sets still in original form
Still in use 155345York.jpg
Class 156
Super Sprinter
Metro-Cammell 1987–9 114 × 2-car sets Preston - Arriva 156443+156455 Choley service.JPG
Class 157
Strathclyde Sprinter
N/A Never built Proposed Strathclyde PTE Sprinter Never built Never built
Class 158
Express Sprinter
BREL 1989–92 165 × 2-car and 17 × 3-car sets Still in use Crewe - Keolis-Amey 158830 Chester service.JPG None
Class 159
South Western Turbo
1992–3 22 × 3-car sets Clapham Junction - SWR 159001+159106 London bound.JPG

Turbos

Networker

Class Manufacturer Date Built Number Built Withdrawn Image Scrapped
Class 165
Networker Turbo
BREL/ABB York 1990–2 49 × 2-car and 26 × 3-car sets Still in use Leamington Spa - Chiltern 165002 empty stock for Stratford service.JPG 1
Class 166
Networker Turbo Express
1992–3 21 × 3-car sets Caerdydd Canolog - GWR 166219.JPG None

Turbostar

Class Manufacturer Date Built Number Built Withdrawn Image Scrapped
Class 168
Clubman
Adtranz/Bombardier, Derby 1998–2004 9 × 3-car and 10 × 4-car sets Still in use 168-002 Chiltern Hatton Bank (2) (28076486818).jpg None
Class 170
Turbostar
1998–2005 44 × 2-car and 89 × 3-car sets 170417 The Key Worker.jpg
Class 171
Turbostar
Bombardier, Derby 2003–04 9 × 2-car and 6 × 4-car sets 171805 at York Uckfield
Class 172
Turbostar
2010–11 24 × 2-car and 15 × 3-car Bedworth - WMT 172001 Nuneaton service.JPG

Coradias

Class Manufacturer Date Built Number Built Withdrawn Image Scrapped
Class 175
Coradia
Alstom, Washwood Heath 1999–2001 11 × 2-car and 16 × 3-car sets 2023 Hereford - Keolis Amey 175003 Carmarthen service.JPG None
Class 180
Adelante
2000–01 13 x 5-car sets and 1 x 4-car set (180 110) Still in use Hull Trains Harringay.jpg

Desiro

Class Manufacturer Date Built Number Built Withdrawn Image Scrapped
Class 185 Desiro Siemens 2005–06 51 × 3-car sets Still in use Doncaster - TPE 185106 Manchester AIrport servce.JPG None

Civity

Class Manufacturer Date Built Number Built Withdrawn Image Scrapped
Class 195 Civity CAF 2017–20 25 × 2-car sets
33 × 3-car sets
still in use Lancaster - Arriva 195101 Manchester service.JPG None
Class 196 Civity 2019– 12 x 2-car sets
14 x 4-car sets
196101 at Worcester July 2020.jpg
Class 197 Civity 2021– 51 x 2-car sets
26 x 3-car sets
Caf 197101 llj 07oct2021.jpg

Diesel-electric multiple units (DEMUs)

Southern Region DEMUs

Class SR code Built Quantity (sets) Withdrawn Image Scrapped
Class 201 6S 1957-58 7 × 6-car sets 1986 Haywards Heath - 201001 in platform 1.JPG About 5
Class 202 6L 9 × 6-car sets The Hampshire Hog Railtour. - geograph.org.uk - 649111.jpg About 8 (46 cars)
Class 203 6B 1958 7 × 6-car sets 1990 BR SR Thumper 4L 203001 and 6L1001 DEMUs - Uckfield Line 06.JPG 5
Class 204 2H/3T 1957 4 × 3-car sets
(formed using Class 205 and 206 cars)
1987 Class 204 DEMU.jpg About 3 (19 vehicles)
Class 205 2H/3H 1957-62 4 × 2-car and 29 × 3-car sets 1992–2004 205001-Thumper-LondonBridge-20040927.JPG About 21
Class 206 3R 1964 6 × 3-car sets
(formed using Class 201 and 416 cars)
1979 Tadpole unit at guildford.jpg All
Class 207 3D 1962 19 × 3-car sets 1990–2004 207202 at Hurst Green.jpg About 16

Second Generation

Class Manufacturer Date Built Number Built Withdrawn Notes Image Scrapped
Class 210 BREL, Derby 1982 1 × 3-car and 1 × 4-car set 1987 mostly scrapped, with 1 carriage preserved and 2 carriages converted to Class 455 210001 at Reading for a service to Didcot 4 carriages
Class 230
D-Train
Metro-Cammell (original builders)
Vivarail (conversion)
2015
(prototype)
1 × 3-car set (prototype)
3 × 2-car
5 × 3-car
still in use Converted from former London Underground D78 Stock Class 230 at Bedford 2.jpg None
Class 231
FLIRT
Stadler 2021-22 11 × 4-car sets still in use Gloucester - TfW 231001 on test.JPG
Class 769
Flex
BREL, York
Brush Traction (conversion)
2017 35 × 4-car sets still in use Converted from Class 319

EMUs || 319447 Bedford.jpg

Voyager-style express DEMUs

Class Manufacturer Date Built Number Built Withdrawn Image Scrapped
Class 220
Voyager
Bombardier, Bruges, Belgium 2000-01 34 × 4-car sets still in use 222-124 & 220-028 Cross Country Banbury 14-03-17 (34008120081).jpg None
Class 221
Super Voyager
2001-02 4 × 4-car and 40 × 5-car sets 221-124 Cross Country Banbury 14-03-17 (35401907256).jpg
Class 222
Meridian/Pioneer
2003–05 4 × 4-car, 7 × 9-car and 17 × 5-car sets East Midlands Railway Class 222 (222104) arriving at Nottingham in its new livery.png

High-speed trains

Class Manufacturer Information Date Built Number Built Withdrawn Image Scrapped
Class 251 Metro-Cammell Blue Pullman 1959-1960 2 × 6-car
3 × 8-car
1973 Blue pullman 60099 - swansea - aug 1967.jpg All
Class 252 BREL Prototype HST 1972 1 × 10-car plus 2 spare coaches 1982 252001 - weston s mare - 1975.jpg 2 vehicles
Class 253 HST 1975–1982 58 × 9-car still in use 19880131-Paddington-HST-253035.jpg 4
Class 254 36 × 10-car High Speed Train Departs Newcastle, 1981 (geograph 2827267).jpg
Class 255 BREL HST Challenger 2002 (planned refurbishment) 14 (planned) Never built Never built
Class 800 Hitachi Kudamatsu &
Newton Aycliffe
Electro-diesel units designed with both pantograph for OHLE use and internal diesel powerplant for non-electrified lines 2014-2019 46 × 5-car
13 × 9-car
still in use 800104 at York.jpg None
Class 802 Hitachi Kudamatsu &
Pistoia
2017-2020 27 x 5-car
7 x 9-car
Newbury Racecourse - GWR 802003 speeding to London.JPG
Class 805 Hitachi Newton Aycliffe TBC 13 x 5-car Not In service Yet
Class 810 33 × 5-car

See also

kids search engine
List of British Rail diesel multiple unit classes Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.