British Rail Class 108 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids British Rail Class 108 |
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| In service | 1958-1993 |
| Manufacturer | British Rail |
| Built at | Derby Works |
| Family name | Derby Lightweight |
| Constructed | 1958-1961 |
| Refurbishment | 1976 |
| Scrapped | 1990 onwards |
| Number in service | 0 |
| Number preserved | 55 |
| Number scrapped | 78 |
| Formation | DMBS-DTC DMBS-TS-DMC DMC-TBS-TS-DMC DMBS-DMC |
| Capacity | 117 |
| Operator(s) | British Rail |
| Depot(s) | Darlington, Hammerton Street, South Gosforth, Leicester, Allerton, Bletchley, Longsight, Chester, Wrexham (Central), Newton Heath, Bristol, Cardiff, Plymouth, Swansea, Carlisle, Newcastle, Buxton, Tyseley |
The British Rail Class 108 was a type of train. These trains were called "diesel multiple units" (DMUs). They were built by BR Derby in England. Construction happened between 1958 and 1961. A total of 333 of these trains were made. They were used by British Rail for many years. These reliable trains served passengers until the 1990s.
Contents
What Was the Class 108 Train?
The Class 108 trains were special. They were "diesel multiple units." This means they had their own engines. They did not need a separate locomotive to pull them. This made them very flexible for different routes.
How Were They Built?
These trains were built by British Rail. The main factory was in Derby, England. They were part of a group called "Derby Lightweight" trains. This name suggests they were designed to be lighter. This design helped them run efficiently.
When Were They Used?
The first Class 108 trains started running in 1958. They quickly became a common sight. They were used all over the British railway network. These trains were very popular for local and regional services. They carried passengers for over 30 years.
Where Did They Operate?
Class 108 trains ran from many different depots. These included places like Chester, Bristol, and Newcastle. They were used on various lines. They often served smaller towns and rural areas. They also ran on busy commuter routes.
Life After Service
Most Class 108 trains were taken out of service. This happened gradually from the 1990s onwards. Many were scrapped after their long working lives. However, some were saved. About 55 of these trains are now preserved. You can find them on heritage railways. They are often used for special trips. This lets people experience how train travel used to be.
Images for kids
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Driver's cab, with the signal token in the middle
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5 Class 108 vehicles at Bewdley on the SVR.
