British Rail Class 951 facts for kids

The Class 951 was a special type of train used by British Rail, which is the old name for the main railway company in Britain. These trains were not for carrying passengers or regular cargo. Instead, they were used for important jobs to help keep the railway lines safe and working well.

What Were Class 951 Trains?

The Class 951 trains were originally diesel-electric multiple units. This means they were trains that could run on their own using a diesel engine to make electricity, and they could also be linked together. Instead of carrying people, these trains were changed or "converted" to do special tasks for the railway company. These special trains are called "departmental units" because they work for a specific department of the railway.

Jobs of the Class 951 Trains

These special trains had several important jobs:

• Applying Sandite: One key job was to spread a special mixture called sandite on the tracks. This is very important in autumn when leaves fall on the tracks. Wet leaves can make the rails very slippery, like ice, which makes it hard for trains to stop or start. Sandite helps trains get a better grip on the rails.
• De-icing Duties: In winter, ice can form on the railway lines, especially on the "third rail" which provides power to some electric trains. Class 951 trains were used to remove this ice, making sure electric trains could still get their power and run safely.
• Towing Other Trains: Sometimes, a train might break down or need to be moved without its own power. The Class 951 units could act as "tractor units." This means they were powerful enough to pull or push other trains that couldn't move by themselves.

Why Are They Not Used Anymore?

The Class 951 classification is now "obsolete," which means it's no longer used. All the trains that were once called Class 951 have either been:

• Withdrawn: This means they were taken out of service completely, perhaps because they were too old or no longer needed.
• Renumbered: Some of these trains were given new numbers and became part of the Class 930 range. The Class 930 is another group of special trains used for railway maintenance.

So, while you won't see a train officially called a Class 951 today, the important work they did to keep the railways running smoothly is still carried out by other special trains.