Difference between revisions of "Class 108 DMU"

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[[File: DMU_20141207.jpg|thumb|300px|right| The DMU operating as a four car unit.]]
 
[[File: DMU_20141207.jpg|thumb|300px|right| The DMU operating as a four car unit.]]
 
==BR Class 108 General Information==
 
==BR Class 108 General Information==
−
The BR Class 108 diesel multiple units (DMU) were built by BR at Derby between 1958 and 1961. They are mainly of aluminium construction, with steel cab ends. Typically they were operated in 2, 3, or 4 car sets. A total of 333 cars were built, comprising<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_108 BR Class 108 on Wikipedia]</ref>:
+
The BR Class 108 diesel multiple units (DMU) were built by BR at Derby between 1958 and 1961. They are mainly of aluminium construction, with steel cab ends. Typically they were operated in 2, 3, or 4 car sets. A total of 333 cars were built, comprising<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_108 BR Class 108 on Wikipedia]</ref>:
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
−
! Car type!! Description !! Number built !! Seating capacity as built !! SVR Examples
+
! Car type!! Description !! Number built !! Seating capacity as built !! SVR Examples
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Driving Motor Brake Second (DMBS) || Powered driving car || 152 || 52 second class || M50933, M51941, M51935 (scrapped)
+
| Driving Motor Brake Second (DMBS) || Powered driving car || 152 || 52 second class || M50933 (formerly M53933<ref name="prc"/>), M51941, M51935 (scrapped)
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Driving Motor Composite with lavatory (DMCL) || Powered driving car || 58 || 12 first 53 second || M52064
 
| Driving Motor Composite with lavatory (DMCL) || Powered driving car || 58 || 12 first 53 second || M52064
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|}
 
|}
  
−
Withdrawal of the class from service began in 1990. Unlike some other early models of DMU, the class 108 did not contain asbestos, making them suitable for preservation on heritage railways.
+
Withdrawal of the class from service began in 1990. Unlike some other early models of DMU, the class 108 did not contain asbestos, making them suitable for preservation on heritage railways.
  
 
==DMU Group vehicles==
 
==DMU Group vehicles==
−
The [[The DMU Group (West Midlands) | DMU group]] operates five cars. These can be used as separate three car and two car units, but are usually combined to form a five car unit for purposes such as the summer Scenic Cruises. From time to time maintenance requirements may result in operation as a four car unit.
+
The DMU on the SVR is owned and operated by [[The DMU Group (West Midlands)]]. The DMU Group operates five cars which can be used as separate three- and two-car units, although historically they have regularly been combined to form a five-car unit for purposes such as the summer Scenic Cruises. From time to time maintenance requirements have also resulted in operation as a four-car unit as pictured above.  
  
−
The first 2 cars, DMBS M51941 and DMCL M52064 arrived on the SVR from Doncaster via Tyseley in October 1990, initially on a two year loan. The 2-car set was formally commissioned on 13 October 1991. After a return trip from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth, the MD of Regional Railways presented the key to officers of the DMU Group.<ref>SVR News 102</ref>  
+
The first two powered driving cars, '''DMBS 51941''' and '''DMCL 52064''' were both withdrawn from BR service in November 1990.<ref name=OurUnits>[https://www.svr-dmu.org.uk/1_3_our-units.html DMU Group 'Our Units']</ref> They were acquired by the embryonic DMU Group and both arrived on the SVR by rail from Doncaster via Tyseley on 30 March 1991, initially on a two-year loan. Having been re-liveried into original green livery, the two-car set was formally commissioned on 13 October 1991. After a return trip from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth, the MD of Regional Railways presented the key to officers of the DMU Group.<ref>SVR News 102</ref>  
  
−
Unpowered centre car TSL M59250 arrived in June 1992 and entered service in November of that year to form a 3-car unit. The centre car includes the Group’s main bar facility, called 'The Travelling Tavern'.
+
<gallery mode=packed heights=150px style="text-align:left">
 +
File:51941_20150307.jpg | DMBS M51941
 +
File: 52064_20150614.jpg | DMCL M52064
 +
</gallery>
  
−
A fourth car, DMBS M51935, was purchased in June 1992 as a source of spares, but by 1993 had been restored and entered service.
+
Unpowered centre car '''TBSL 59250''' was withdrawn from BR service in July 1991. It arrived on the SVR on 7 June 1992 and, after being repainted into green livery, it entered service that November to form a three-car unit.<ref name=OurUnits/> The centre car includes the Group's main bar facility, called 'The Travelling Tavern', which was fitted in 2009. It was refitted in 2024.
  
−
In autumn 1996 the Group acquired a fifth car, unpowered DTCL 56208 which arrived on 21 December, giving an additional 65 seats capacity.
+
<gallery mode=packed heights=150px style="text-align:left">
 +
File: 59250_20150718.jpg | TSL NE59250
 +
</gallery>
  
−
M51935 was extensively damaged by fire in May 2008 in what was believed to be an arson attack. Subsequently it left the SVR to be broken for spares elsewhere. The Group acquired DMBS M50933 as a replacement. In 2010 alterations were made for the conveyance of wheelchair passengers.
+
A fourth car, '''DMBS 51935''', was purchased in June 1992 as a source of spares, but by winter of 1996 had been restored and entered service.<ref name=OurUnits/>
  
−
==Workings in preservation==
+
51941 visited Worcester open day in May 1993.<ref name="prc">[http://preserved.railcar.co.uk preserved.railcar.co.uk]</ref>
−
*In 2004, all five cars took part in the [[Railcar50]] event, participating in a 12 car special which was the longest DMU formation ever to operate in preservation<ref>http://preserved.railcar.co.uk/</ref>.
 
−
*For much of 2018 and 2019 the DMU was unavailable for service for attention to various mechanical and electrical issues. It being the only diesel powered train capable of providing a heated train on the SVR, a mixture of steam and [[Diesel Locomotives hired by the SVR|hired-in diesel]] locomotives deputised for the winter services and the summer Scenic Cruises.
 
  
−
==Gallery==
+
The Group then acquired a fifth car, unpowered '''DTCL 56208''', giving an additional 65 seats capacity. 56208 was withdrawn from BR service in March 1993 and was first preserved at the Caerphilly Railway Centre. Following the closure of the centre it was transferred to the SVR, arriving on 21 December 1996. The vehicle was repainted into BR green and entered service in July 1997. 56208 was normally operated as trailer car for 51935 in a two-car set, although it can run with either of the group's (DMBS) power cars.<ref name=OurUnits/>
−
<Gallery>
+
 
−
File:51941_20150307.jpg | DMBS M51941
+
<gallery mode=packed heights=150px style="text-align:left">
−
File: 52064_20150614.jpg | DMCL M52064
 
−
File: 59250_20150718.jpg | TSL NE59250
 
 
File: 56208_20150718.jpg | DTCL E56208
 
File: 56208_20150718.jpg | DTCL E56208
 +
</gallery>
 +
 +
In 2004, all five cars took part in the [[Railcar50]] event, participating in a 12-car special which was the longest DMU formation ever to operate in preservation.<ref name="prc"/>
 +
 +
M51935 was extensively damaged by fire in April 2008 in what was believed to be an arson attack. The Group acquired '''DMBS 50933''' as a replacement. 50933 had been preserved by a private individual in 1993 at Peak Rail and purchased by the Dean Forest DMU Group in 2008 when the Peak Rail fleet was disbanded. However it was effectively surplus to their requirements and arrived on the SVR, initially on loan. After 51935 was confirmed as beyond economic repair, 50933 was sold to the DMU Group, becoming a permanent resident. Following an extensive mechanical overhaul, 50933 entered regular service in July 2009. 51935 subsequently left the SVR to be broken for spares elsewhere.<ref name=OurUnits/>
 +
 +
<gallery mode=packed heights=150px style="text-align:left">
 
File:50933_20150614.jpg | DMBS M50933
 
File:50933_20150614.jpg | DMBS M50933
 +
</gallery>
 +
 +
In 2010 alterations were made for the [[:Category: Wheelchair-accessible adapted carriages|conveyance of wheelchair passengers]].
 +
 +
In 2015 56208, 52064 and 59250 underwent contract bodywork and a repaint at Peak Rail. 52064's bogies were sent away during 2016 for tyre turning<ref name="prc"/>.
 +
 +
==Maintenance issues from 2018==
 +
The DMU group has used Peak Rail and the SVR's Bewdley and Kidderminster workshops for contract overhauls, while undertaking maintenance itself at Bewdley. For much of 2018 and 2019 the DMU was unavailable for service for attention to various mechanical and electrical issues. It then being the only diesel-powered train capable of providing a heated train on the SVR, a mixture of steam and [[Diesel Locomotives hired by the SVR|hired-in diesel]] locomotives deputised for the winter services and the summer Scenic Cruises.
 +
 +
By June 2019 all five vehicles were out of service due to considerable repairs needed on some of the bogies and brakegear, and the SVR mandating the units could not run. The DMUs had suffered from a lack of maintenance and paperwork had been an issue.<ref>SVR Company Limited AGM minutes 16 July 2022</ref> The repairs required the units to go to either the [[Carriage Repair Works|carriage repair works]] or [[Diesel Depot|diesel depot]] as the group lacked the resources and manpower to lift the vehicles.<ref>[https://dmuwmbsb.wordpress.com/2019/06/05/2019-maintenance-statement/ DMU Blue Square blog, 5 June 2019] (Retrieved 9 November 2020)</ref><ref>SVR News207</ref> In the event repairs fell initially to the carriage repair team on 52064, where it was held up by other work and [[2020 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic|COVID-19 restrictions]].
 +
 +
Eventually, a two-car unit of 50933 and 52064 became available for traffic in November 2020, working [[Christmas services| Santa Staff trains]].<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/895472313877202 SVR Diesels Official Facebook, 8 November 2020] (Retrieved 9 November 2020)</ref> However 50933 was not deemed suitable for any passenger services without further mechanical work and the fleet returned to store.<ref name="prc"/>
 +
 +
In 2022 the owning group commissioned a third-party engineer to produce a report detailing repairs and maintenance work required in order to return the DMU to traffic on the SVR. Chief among the work necessary was overhaul of the bogies. The group determined that an external contractor would carry out further bogie overhauls, with the intention of initially returning 52064 and 51941 to traffic as a twin power car set.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/bloct22 Branch Lines October 2022]</ref> As a result, 51941 was placed on accommodation bogies and its own sent for contract overhaul at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway workshops, while the car had repairs to the roof and remedial works to the rather tired paintwork at Kidderminster Carriage Shed.<ref>[https://www.svr-dmu.org.uk/ The DMU Group (West Midlands) website] (Retrieved 23 June 2023)</ref> The two-car set returned to traffic in December 2023.
 +
 +
In February 2024 centre car E59250 was also returned to traffic to make a three car DMU. This was stationed at [[Bridgnorth]], rather than its normal base at [[Bewdley]], to provide a daily service starting at the north end of the line during half term operations while work was in progress on the second phase of the [[Bridgnorth MPD|Bridgnorth yard relay]].
 +
 +
<gallery mode=packed heights=150px style="text-align:left">
 +
DMU_20240210.jpg|The 3-car unit's first day of operation, 10 February 2024
 +
</gallery>
 +
 +
The DMU Group's other two cars require further work before they can re-enter service and the Group has launched a fundraising campaign to help with this. Details can be found on the Group's [https://www.svr-dmu.org.uk/1_10_restoration-fund.html Restoration Fund page] (external link).
 +
 +
==Gallery==
 +
<gallery mode=packed heights=150px style="text-align:left">
 
File:Leyland 680 1.JPG | DMU engine on display at the Diesel Depot
 
File:Leyland 680 1.JPG | DMU engine on display at the Diesel Depot
 
File:Leyland 680 2.JPG | DMU engine on display at the Diesel Depot
 
File:Leyland 680 2.JPG | DMU engine on display at the Diesel Depot
Line 48: Line 81:
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
−
[[The DMU Group (West Midlands) | DMU group]]<br>
+
*[[The DMU Group (West Midlands) | DMU group]]
−
[[List of rolling stock]]<br>
+
*[[List of rolling stock]]
−
[[Diesel Locomotives]]<br>
+
*[[Diesel Locomotives]]
−
[[The Severn Valley Railway under GWR ownership | The Severn Valley Railway under GWR/BR ownership]]
+
*[[The Severn Valley Railway under GWR ownership | The Severn Valley Railway under GWR/BR ownership]]
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
Line 61: Line 94:
  
 
[[Category: Wheelchair-accessible adapted carriages]]
 
[[Category: Wheelchair-accessible adapted carriages]]
−
 
+
[[Category:Featured articles]]
 
{{DieselNavbox}}
 
{{DieselNavbox}}

Latest revision as of 18:44, 12 February 2024

The DMUDiesel Multiple Unit operating as a four car unit.

BRBritish Rail or British Railways Class 108 General Information

The BRBritish Rail or British Railways Class 108 diesel multiple units (DMUDiesel Multiple Unit) were built by BRBritish Rail or British Railways at Derby between 1958 and 1961. They are mainly of aluminium construction, with steel cab ends. Typically they were operated in 2, 3, or 4 car sets. A total of 333 cars were built, comprising[1]:

Car type Description Number built Seating capacity as built SVRSevern Valley Railway Examples
Driving Motor Brake Second (DMBSDriving Motor Brake Second) Powered driving car 152 52 second class M50933 (formerly M53933[2]), M51941, M51935 (scrapped)
Driving Motor CompositeCarriage having more than one class of seating, ie First and Third or latterly First and Standard. with lavatory (DMCLDriving Motor Composite with lavatory) Powered driving car 58 12 first 53 second M52064
Driving Trailer CompositeCarriage having more than one class of seating, ie First and Third or latterly First and Standard. with lavatory (DTCLDriving Trailer Composite with lavatory) Unpowered driving car 106 12 first 53 second E56208
Trailer Second with lavatory (TSLTrailer Second with lavatory) Unpowered centre car 11 68 second class NE59250
Trailer Brake Second with lavatory (TBSLTrailer Brake Second with lavatory) Unpowered centre car 6 50 second class

Withdrawal of the class from service began in 1990. Unlike some other early models of DMUDiesel Multiple Unit, the class 108 did not contain asbestos, making them suitable for preservation on heritage railways.

DMUDiesel Multiple Unit Group vehicles

The DMUDiesel Multiple Unit on the SVRSevern Valley Railway is owned and operated by The DMU Group (West Midlands). The DMUDiesel Multiple Unit Group operates five cars which can be used as separate three- and two-car units, although historically they have regularly been combined to form a five-car unit for purposes such as the summer Scenic Cruises. From time to time maintenance requirements have also resulted in operation as a four-car unit as pictured above.

The first two powered driving cars, DMBSDriving Motor Brake Second 51941 and DMCLDriving Motor Composite with lavatory 52064 were both withdrawn from BRBritish Rail or British Railways service in November 1990.[3] They were acquired by the embryonic DMUDiesel Multiple Unit Group and both arrived on the SVRSevern Valley Railway by rail from Doncaster via Tyseley on 30 March 1991, initially on a two-year loan. Having been re-liveried into original green livery, the two-car set was formally commissioned on 13 October 1991. After a return trip from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth, the MD of Regional Railways presented the key to officers of the DMUDiesel Multiple Unit Group.[4]

  • DMBSDriving Motor Brake Second M51941

  • DMCLDriving Motor Composite with lavatory M52064

Unpowered centre car TBSLTrailer Brake Second with lavatory 59250 was withdrawn from BRBritish Rail or British Railways service in July 1991. It arrived on the SVRSevern Valley Railway on 7 June 1992 and, after being repainted into green livery, it entered service that November to form a three-car unit.[3] The centre car includes the Group's main bar facility, called 'The Travelling Tavern', which was fitted in 2009. It was refitted in 2024.

  • TSLTrailer Second with lavatory NE59250

A fourth car, DMBSDriving Motor Brake Second 51935, was purchased in June 1992 as a source of spares, but by winter of 1996 had been restored and entered service.[3]

51941 visited Worcester open day in May 1993.[2]

The Group then acquired a fifth car, unpowered DTCLDriving Trailer Composite with lavatory 56208, giving an additional 65 seats capacity. 56208 was withdrawn from BRBritish Rail or British Railways service in March 1993 and was first preserved at the Caerphilly Railway Centre. Following the closure of the centre it was transferred to the SVRSevern Valley Railway, arriving on 21 December 1996. The vehicle was repainted into BRBritish Rail or British Railways green and entered service in July 1997. 56208 was normally operated as trailer car for 51935 in a two-car set, although it can run with either of the group's (DMBSDriving Motor Brake Second) power cars.[3]

  • DTCLDriving Trailer Composite with lavatory E56208

In 2004, all five cars took part in the Railcar50 event, participating in a 12-car special which was the longest DMUDiesel Multiple Unit formation ever to operate in preservation.[2]

M51935 was extensively damaged by fire in April 2008 in what was believed to be an arson attack. The Group acquired DMBSDriving Motor Brake Second 50933 as a replacement. 50933 had been preserved by a private individual in 1993 at Peak Rail and purchased by the DeanWilliam Dean, Chief Locomotive Engineer of the Great Western Railway 1877-1902 Forest DMUDiesel Multiple Unit Group in 2008 when the Peak Rail fleet was disbanded. However it was effectively surplus to their requirements and arrived on the SVRSevern Valley Railway, initially on loan. After 51935 was confirmed as beyond economic repair, 50933 was sold to the DMUDiesel Multiple Unit Group, becoming a permanent resident. Following an extensive mechanical overhaul, 50933 entered regular service in July 2009. 51935 subsequently left the SVRSevern Valley Railway to be broken for spares elsewhere.[3]

  • DMBSDriving Motor Brake Second M50933

In 2010 alterations were made for the conveyance of wheelchair passengers.

In 2015 56208, 52064 and 59250 underwent contract bodywork and a repaint at Peak Rail. 52064's bogies were sent away during 2016 for tyre turning[2].

Maintenance issues from 2018

The DMUDiesel Multiple Unit group has used Peak Rail and the SVRSevern Valley Railway's Bewdley and Kidderminster workshops for contract overhauls, while undertaking maintenance itself at Bewdley. For much of 2018 and 2019 the DMUDiesel Multiple Unit was unavailable for service for attention to various mechanical and electrical issues. It then being the only diesel-powered train capable of providing a heated train on the SVRSevern Valley Railway, a mixture of steam and hired-in diesel locomotives deputised for the winter services and the summer Scenic Cruises.

By June 2019 all five vehicles were out of service due to considerable repairs needed on some of the bogies and brakegear, and the SVRSevern Valley Railway mandating the units could not run. The DMUs had suffered from a lack of maintenance and paperwork had been an issue.[5] The repairs required the units to go to either the carriage repair works or diesel depot as the group lacked the resources and manpower to lift the vehicles.[6][7] In the event repairs fell initially to the carriage repair team on 52064, where it was held up by other work and COVID-19 restrictions.

Eventually, a two-car unit of 50933 and 52064 became available for traffic in November 2020, working Santa Staff trains.[8] However 50933 was not deemed suitable for any passenger services without further mechanical work and the fleet returned to store.[2]

In 2022 the owning group commissioned a third-party engineer to produce a report detailing repairs and maintenance work required in order to return the DMUDiesel Multiple Unit to traffic on the SVRSevern Valley Railway. Chief among the work necessary was overhaul of the bogies. The group determined that an external contractor would carry out further bogie overhauls, with the intention of initially returning 52064 and 51941 to traffic as a twin power car set.[9] As a result, 51941 was placed on accommodation bogies and its own sent for contract overhaul at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway workshops, while the car had repairs to the roof and remedial works to the rather tired paintwork at Kidderminster Carriage Shed.[10] The two-car set returned to traffic in December 2023.

In February 2024 centre car E59250 was also returned to traffic to make a three car DMUDiesel Multiple Unit. This was stationed at Bridgnorth, rather than its normal base at Bewdley, to provide a daily service starting at the north end of the line during half term operations while work was in progress on the second phase of the Bridgnorth yard relay.

  • The 3-car unit's first day of operation, 10 February 2024

The DMUDiesel Multiple Unit Group's other two cars require further work before they can re-enter service and the Group has launched a fundraising campaign to help with this. Details can be found on the Group's Restoration Fund page (external link).

Gallery

  • DMUDiesel Multiple Unit engine on display at the Diesel Depot

  • DMUDiesel Multiple Unit engine on display at the Diesel Depot

See also

References

  1. ↑ BR Class 108 on Wikipedia
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 preserved.railcar.co.uk
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 DMU Group 'Our Units'
  4. ↑ SVRSevern Valley Railway News 102
  5. ↑ SVRSevern Valley Railway Company Limited AGM minutes 16 July 2022
  6. ↑ DMU Blue Square blog, 5 June 2019 (Retrieved 9 November 2020)
  7. ↑ SVRSevern Valley Railway News207
  8. ↑ SVR Diesels Official Facebook, 8 November 2020 (Retrieved 9 November 2020)
  9. ↑ Branch Lines October 2022
  10. ↑ The DMU Group (West Midlands) website (Retrieved 23 June 2023)

Links

Diesel Locomotives on the SVRSevern Valley Railway
RH 165hp Shunters
BRBritish Rail or British Railways Shunters
BRBritish Rail or British Railways Class 14
Clayton Class 17
BRBritish Rail or British Railways Class 20
BRBritish Rail or British Railways Class 33
BRBritish Rail or British Railways Class 35
BRBritish Rail or British Railways Class 37
BRBritish Rail or British Railways Class 40
BRBritish Rail or British Railways Class 42 Warship
BRBritish Rail or British Railways Class 50
BRBritish Rail or British Railways Class 52 Western
Diesel Multiple Units
  • Class 108 DMUDiesel Multiple Unit
Former residents and locomotives hired by the SVR
RH 165hp Shunters
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