British Rail Class 936 facts for kids

The British Rail Class 936 was a special group of trains used in the United Kingdom. These trains were once regular passenger trains called Electric Multiple Units (EMUs). However, they were changed to do important jobs for the railway instead of carrying people.

What Was the Class 936?

The Class 936 was a special name given to these converted trains. They were used for "departmental" work. This means they helped with maintaining the railway tracks and equipment. They did not carry passengers anymore.

From Passenger to Special Duty

An Electric Multiple Unit, or EMU, is a type of train that gets its power from electricity. EMUs are usually made of several carriages that are permanently joined together. They can run forwards or backwards without needing a separate engine to turn around. The trains that became Class 936 were older EMUs. They were taken out of passenger service. Then, they were rebuilt to perform specific tasks.

Keeping Tracks Safe: Sandite and De-icing

These special trains had important jobs to do. Two main tasks were applying sandite and de-icing.

• Sandite Application: Sandite is a special gel-like substance. It is sprayed onto the railway tracks. This helps trains get better grip, especially when the rails are slippery from wet leaves or rain. Without sandite, trains might struggle to stop or start.
• De-icing Duties: During cold weather, ice can form on the tracks and on the electric power lines (called conductor rails). Ice can stop trains from running safely. Class 936 trains were equipped to spray special liquids to melt this ice. This kept the railway lines clear and safe for all trains.

Where Did These Trains Come From?

The trains chosen for the Class 936 were usually older EMUs. They came from different parts of the country. However, they were specifically chosen from areas outside the South-East of England. This helped use older trains that might not have been needed for passenger service in those regions anymore.