British Rail Class 107

Infobox DMU
name = British Rail Class 107


imagesize = 300px
background = #0033cc
caption = Units 107 427 and 107 444 at Largs in April 1984
Manufacturer = BR Derby Works
Operator = British Rail
Formation = DMBS-TSL-DMCL
Built = 1960
LinesServed =
InService = 1960 - 1991
CarLength = 17.7 m (58 ft 1 in)
CarWidth = 2.81 m (9 ft 3 in)
CarHeight = 3.77 m
Weight = 35.5 tonnes
Capacity =
MaxSpeed = 70 mph (112 km/h)
Gauge = RailGauge|sg
Traction = Diesel Mechanical
Engine = Two BUT, 150 bhp
SafetySystem = AWS|The British Rail Class 107 diesel multiple units were built by the Derby Works of British Railways and were introduced in 1960. The class looked similar to the later Class 108 units, but were heavier - having been built out of steel.

Usage

They were designed for use in the Scottish Region, and remained there for their service lives. They were mainly used on services from Glasgow Central to Barrhead, East Kilbride, Kilmacolm and Edinburgh via the Shotts Line. Prior to electrification, they were also used on some services from Glasgow to Ayrshire (mainly to Largs). Most were withdrawn from service by 1991.

Many of the units went into departmental use after being withdrawn from passenger use. The class suffered from a structural problem, however, which could result in the bodies separating from the chassis under heavy braking.

Numbering

* DMBS 51985 - 52010
* DMCL 52011 - 52036
* TSL 59782 - 59807

Sets numbered as 107425-449 in DMBS order (the DMCLs & TSLs were formed into the sets at random). Renumbered to 107725-749 in 1988 to avoid confusion of set numbers with new 156 units which also had 4xx numbers. Renumbered again to 107025-049 about 1990 to avoid similar confusion with new class 158s numbered in 7xx series.

Other technical details

* Coupling Code: Blue Square
* Transmission: Standard mechanical

For coupling codes see British United Traction

Preservation

Several examples of the class have entered preservation.

References

*Motive Power Recognition: 3 DMUs. Colin J. Marsden
*British Railway Pictorial: First Generation DMUs. Kevin Robertson
*British Rail Fleet Survey 8: Diesel Multiple Units- The First Generation. Brian Haresnape
*A Pictorial Record of British Railways Diesel Multiple Units. Brian Golding

External links

* [http://www.railcar.co.uk/his100-109/107intro.htm History of the Class 107s]