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British Rail Class 104 facts for kids

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British Rail Class 104
50517 and 50455 at Bewdley.JPG
Class 104, nos. 50517 and 50455, at Bewdley on the Severn Valley Railway, on 15 October 2004, whilst taking part in the Railcar 50 event. This unit has been returned to service, and is preserved on the Churnet Valley Railway.
In service 1957–1993
Manufacturer Birmingham RC&W
Constructed 1957–1959
Number built 71 DMBS, 52 DMCL, 15 DTCL, 56 TCL, 26 TBSL, 26 TSL. Total: 302 cars
Formation 2 car sets: DMBS-DTCL
3 car sets: DMBS-TCL-DMCL
4 cars sets:DMCL-TSL-TBSL-DMCL
Capacity DMBS: 52, DMCL/DTCL: 12F 51S, TCL: 12F 54, TBSL: 51, TSL: 69
Operator(s) British Rail
Specifications
Car length 57 ft 6 in (17.53 m)
Width 9 ft 3 in (2.82 m)
Maximum speed 70 mph (113 km/h)
Weight DMCL/DMBS: 31 long tons (31.5 t),
TBSL: 25 long tons (25.4 t),
DTCL/TCL/TSL: 24 long tons (24.4 t)
Prime mover(s) Two B.U.T. (Leyland) 6-cylinder diesels of 150 bhp each
Power output 300 bhp (220 kW)
Transmission Mechanical: 4 speed epicyclic gearbox
Braking system(s) Vacuum
Safety system(s) Automatic Warning System
Track gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)

The British Rail Class 104 diesel multiple units were built by Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company from 1957 to 1959.

The first units ordered were for the London Midland Region, with the majority of the class for use in North West of England with sets also in Tyneside (being made redundant by the opening of the Tyne & Wear Metro in 1980). In the mid-1980s a few units reallocated to Scotland, with one unit being repainted in a unique maroon and white livery for services to Oban - it became known as the "Mexican Bean". Other vehicles spent time in London and the last vehicles could be found there in the early 1990s.

The class was gradually taken of service from the early 1980s. The final vehicles were withdrawn in 1995.


Images for kids

  • Buxton railway station (Derbyshire) in 1978

    BR Blue-liveried Class 104 in the snow, Buxton (Derbyshire) 24 December 1978

  • Class 104 at Castleton

    Class 104 at Castleton station 29 September 1982

  • EXPDM352 at Longsight Diesel TMD

    Unit EXP.DM.352. at its home depot of Longsight Diesel TMD, Manchester, 15 January 1984

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