List of British Rail departmental multiple unit classes facts for kids

The 900 series classes were special trains used by British Rail for their own work, not for carrying passengers. These trains, called multiple units, were often older passenger trains that were changed and given new jobs. Generally, numbers like 930 to 935 were for trains used in the Southern Region (which used to be 200 and 400 series trains). Numbers 936 and 937 were for other electric trains (EMUs) that were once 300 and 500 series. The 960 numbers were for other diesel trains (DMUs) that used to be 100 series. However, these rules became less strict over time.

Special Diesel Trains (DMUs)

This is a Class 960 train, called Lab 19 Iris II, used for research. It was photographed in Southampton in 1996.

Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs) are trains that have their own diesel engines and can run by themselves. The 900 series included several types of DMUs used for different railway tasks:

• Class 901: These were test trains. They were originally Class 101 passenger trains that were converted.
• Class 930: These were special diesel-electric trains used by the Southern Region for various departmental jobs.
• Class 950: This was a train built specifically for testing. It looked similar to the Class 150 passenger trains.
• Class 951: These trains were used to spread Sandite (a special sand mixture) or de-icer on the tracks to help trains grip better or to melt ice. They were converted from older Classes 201, 203, 205, and 207.
• Class 960: These were general departmental DMUs, meaning they were used for various railway tasks.
• Class 999: This was a special prototype (first version) of a PPM train. It was used for passenger trials to see how well it worked.
• Multi-Purpose Vehicle: These were trains built specifically to do many different jobs for the railway, like carrying equipment or inspecting tracks.

Experimental Gas Turbine Train

• APT-E: This was an experimental train called the Advanced Passenger Train. It used a gas turbine engine, which is like a jet engine, to try and go very fast.

Special Electric Trains (EMUs)

This is a 930016 rail cleaning unit, which used to be part of a 4-EPB train. It was seen at Eastleigh in 1995.

Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) are trains that get their power from overhead lines or a third rail. The original uses for these Southern Region (SR) classes are listed below. However, these rules for what each class did became less strict over time.

• Class 910: These were test trains, converted from Class 488 trains.
• Class 920: This was a prototype (first version) of a new type of train called 3PEP.
• Class 930: These trains were used by the Southern Region to spread Sandite or de-icer on the tracks.
• Class 931: These were used by the Southern Region for training drivers about new routes and for carrying railway supplies.
• Class 932: These trains were used by the Southern Region for research and as "tractor units" to move other trains.
• Class 933: These were mobile classrooms used by the Southern Region to teach railway staff.
• Class 935: These were research trains, part of the 4PEP project.
• Class 936: These trains were used to spread Sandite. They were converted from older Classes 311 and 501.
• Class 937: These were also Sandite trains, converted from older Classes 302 and 308.
• Class 960: These were test trains, converted from older Classes 309 and 310.

See also

• British Rail locomotive and multiple unit numbering and classification
• SR multiple unit numbering and classification