British Rail Class 140 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids British Rail Class 140 |
|
|---|---|
| In service | 1980 - 1981 (trial only) |
| Manufacturer | BREL Derby |
| Family name | Pacer |
| Number built | 1 |
| Formation | 2 car |
| Specifications | |
| Maximum speed | 75mph |
| Prime mover(s) | Leyland TL11 200 HP |
| Safety system(s) | AWS |
| Track gauge | 1435 mm (4 ft 8½ in) |
The British Rail Class 140 was a very important train. It was the first of its kind, known as a "prototype." This means it was the original test model for a whole new family of trains called Pacers.
Pacers were a new idea for trains in the 1980s. They were designed to be lighter and cheaper to build. The Class 140 helped engineers test these new ideas. It showed them what worked well and what needed to be improved.
Contents
What Was the Class 140?
The Class 140 was a type of train called a diesel multiple unit. This means it was a train that could power itself using a diesel engine. It did not need a separate locomotive to pull it. The Class 140 had two cars linked together.
This special train was built in 1980. It was made by a company called BREL Derby. Only one Class 140 train was ever built.
Why Were Pacers Built?
In the 1980s, British Rail needed new trains. They wanted trains that were less expensive to make and run. They also needed trains that could serve smaller, less busy railway lines.
The idea was to create a train that was almost like a bus on rails. This would make them much cheaper than traditional trains. The Class 140 was the first step in making this idea real.
How Was the Class 140 Made?
A cool fact about the Class 140 is how it was built. A lot of its parts came from a common bus! The main body of the train was made using parts from the Leyland National bus. This helped keep the building costs low.
However, the front and back parts, called the "cabs" where the driver sits, were specially made for the train. This mix of bus and train parts made the Class 140 unique.
Where Did It Run?
The Class 140 was only used for a short time. It ran trials between 1980 and 1981. It was never used for regular passenger services. Instead, it was tested on different railway lines.
These tests helped engineers learn a lot. They found out how the train performed on the tracks. They also learned what changes were needed for the next versions of the Pacer trains. Even though it was only a trial train, the Class 140 played a big part in train history. It led to many more Pacer trains being built and used across the UK.
Images for kids
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140001 at Shrewsbury between driver training runs on the Central Wales line on 4 December 1981.
