British Rail Class 201

Infobox DMU
name = British Rail Class 201

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imagesize = 300px
caption = Set 1004 prepares to leave Cannon Street station on 14 May 1984
background = #D5005E
Manufacturer = Eastleigh and Ashford Works
Formation = Unknown
Built = unknown
InService = 1957-1986
Weight = convert|55|LT|t
Capacity =
MaxSpeed = convert|75|mph|abbr=on
Brakes =
Engine = English Electric 4-cylinder type 4SRKT Mark II
Operator = British Rail
Power = convert|500|bhp|abbr=on at 850 rpm. Total 1,000 bhp per set.|The British Rail Class 201 (or 6S) six-car diesel-electric multiple units (DEMUs) were built in 1957-1958 at Eastleigh and Ashford. They were built for use on the London-Hastings line. Several tunnels along the route had restricted clearance, meaning that these units were built with a narrow body profile.

Technical details

Power car (two per six-car set)

* Introduced: 1957
* Weight: convert|55|LT|t
* Engine: English Electric 4-cylinder type 4SRKT Mark II of convert|500|bhp|abbr=on at 850 rpm. Total 1,000 bhp per set.
* Transmission: Electric, two English Electric type EE507 traction motors rated at convert|375|kW|abbr=on each.
* Maximum tractive effort: convert|12500|lbf|kN|abbr=on per car; convert|25000|lbf|kN|abbr=on per unit
* Driving wheel diameter: convert|3|ft|4|in|m|abbr=on Driving Bogie; convert|3|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on Trailer Bogie
* Coupling code: 'Buck-Eye' Type allowing coupling to any BR(S) 20x,4xx Units
* Train heating: Electric

Fleet details

Preservation

Most units were withdrawn and scrapped following electrification of the route in 1986. However, one complete unit, no. 1001, was preserved by "Hastings Diesels Ltd.", which is based at St Leonards-on-Sea. Vehicle no. 60000 has been named Hastings after the town which it previously worked to.

Several of the vehicles now operate in preserved mainline registered unit 201001. Currently, it is used as cover for the Southern Class 171 Turbostar fleet on the Marshlink Line. Its latest diagrammed working was on August 24, 2005 on Diagram 975. It is expected that it will be used for driver-training duty soon.

External links

* [http://www.hastingsdiesels.co.uk Hasting Diesels]