British Rail Class 124

Class of 8 six-car diesel multiple units built by Swindon Works

64 ft 6+1⁄8 in (19.663 m) (over body, others)^[3]^[5]

Width9 ft 3 in (2.82 m) (over handles)^[3]Height12 ft 9+1⁄2 in (3.899 m) (overall)^[3]DoorsSlam^[4]Wheelbase

46 ft 6 in (14.17 m) (bogie centres)
8 ft 6 in (2.59 m) (bogies)^[3]^[5]

Maximum speed70 mph (113 km/h)^[6]Weight228 long tons (232 t; 255 short tons)Prime mover(s)2 × 230-horsepower (170 kW) Leyland Albion per power carEngine typeDieselTransmissionMechanical^[4]HVACOil burning air heater^[3]Bogies

DT4 mk1 and mk2 (one of each, TSL)
DD3 (others)^[3]

Braking system(s)Vacuum^[3]Safety system(s)AWS^[3]Coupling system

Buckeye^[3]
Screw^[4]

Multiple working■ Blue Square^[3]Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The British Rail Class 124 diesel multiple units were built by BR Swindon Works in 1960.

Operational history

The Class 124 was a class of initially six-car diesel multiple units used and built specifically for the trans-Pennine route. In the late 1970s, the class was merged with their Class 123 cousins that had been relocated from Reading services on the Western Region and, towards the end of their days, ran as 4-car hybrid sets. They were all withdrawn in 1984 when their duties were taken over by Class 31/4 diesel-electric locomotive-hauled rakes of four coaches.

Nine 2-car sets composed of a class 123 DMBSL and class 124 DMC were formed at Hull in 1984 in case introduction of the class 141 'Pacer' units was delayed, but they were never used in service.

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway had the idea of preserving at least one driving unit, due to the cab windows allowing panoramic views, but the plan was scrapped when it was found that the cost of removing the asbestos from the vehicle was prohibitive.

The class was not unique; the Class 124 DMUs shared mechanical components with their sister class 123, on the Western Region, and the Class 126.

'Wrap-around' windscreens were a feature that was also seen on the 'Glasgow Blue Train' Class 303 and 311 electric units; they were also seen on the GEML's Class 309s and the WCML's Class 310s, although these were later modified to cut replacement costs.

Numbering

Table of orders and numbers
Lot No.	Type	Diagram	Qty	Fleet numbers	Notes
30603	Driving Motor Open Composite (DMC)	577	17	51951–51967	21 first, 36 second seats;
30604	Motor Brake Corridor Second (MBSL)	579	17	51968–51984	6 compartments (48 seats); 2 lavatories
30605	Trailer Open Second (TSL)	573	9	59765–59773	64 seats, 2 lavatories
30606	Trailer First Buffet (TFLRB)	562	8	59774–59781	3 first compartments (18 seats); 8 seats in buffet, 2 lavatories (1 passenger, 1 staff)

In later years when operating as 4-car units, the MBSL had their engines removed to reduce maintenance, as it was deemed two Motor Vehicles were adequate. To show this change the remaining MBSL were renumbered on removal of the engines.

Old	New
51969	59834
51973	59841
51974	59835
51975	59839
51976	59838
51978	59836
51980	59842
51981	59833
51983	59840
51984	59837

Liveries

They were initially introduced in a green livery, but they never carried the common 'Whiskers' that many DMUs of the time carried. A small yellow panel was added at a later date to the cab front.

They ended their days in then standard BR blue/grey livery.

Technical details

Builder: BR Swindon Works
Introduced: 1960
Coupling Code: Blue Square
Body: 64 ft 6 in x 9 ft 3 in
Engines: Leyland Albion 230 hp, 2 per power car
Transmission: Standard mechanical

For coupling codes see British United Traction

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "Class 124 Swindon Trans-Pennine 6-car DMUs: Numbering". Railcar.co.uk. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
^ ^a ^b Longworth 2015, p. 366
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k Vehicle Diagram Book No. 220 for Diesel Multiple Unit Trains (Railcars) (PDF). Derby: British Railways Board. 1982. DP316, DR201, DT212, DU205. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 January 2015. Retrieved 24 February 2016 – via Barrowmore MRG.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "Class 124, 180, 181". The Railway Centre. Archived from the original on 9 March 2005. Retrieved 24 February 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^ ^a ^b "BR562". Railcar.co.uk. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
^ Marsden 1982, p. 78

Sources

Longworth, Hugh (2015). British Railways Electric Multiple Units to 1975. Oxford Publishing Co. ISBN 9780860936688. OCLC 923205678.
Marsden, Colin J. (1982). DMUs. Motive power recognition. Vol. 3. Ian Allan. ISBN 9780711012011. OCLC 16599282.