UTA 70 Class

UTA 70 Class was a diesel multiple unit train built for service on Northern Ireland s railways. The MED’s and MPD’s, which made use of readily available power and transmission units, were cheap to operate but noisier and not as comfortable as locomotive - hauled rolling stock, a fact which made them unsuitable for Inter - City journeys. The decision was made to develop a new generation of multiple unit and in July 1966 the first of the new DEMU sets entered service.

History

Investment was needed on the “Inter City” routes and it was a straight choice between new locomotives and coaching stock or a new generation of multiple unit. The decision was made in favour of new multiple units and in 1966 the first of these entered service, designated 70 Class.

Unlike the MEDs and MPDs with their low - powered underfloor engines and mechanical transmissions spread through the train, the new units had a single English Electric engine of 550 h.p., fitted in a compartment between the driving cab and the passenger saloon, and electric transmission. Whilst construction was carried out at the UTA's York Road works in Belfast they imported underframes and body parts. This order comprised parts for the construction of eight power cars and the modification of existing coaches, The 70 Class were first introduced on the former NCC section but were later also worked cross - border trains.

Like the MPDs these units were also suitable for working freight services and regularly appeared on the CIE freight services to and from Derry.

The 70s were numbered as follows: Power Cars 71 to 78

The original trailer cars were as follows:

548 Buffet car (dual cables for MPD+70)

550 Buffet car (converted from MPD car)

701 Brake First

702 Brake Composite

703 Brake Standard

711 Driving Brake Compostite

712 Driving Brake Compostite

721 to 725 Standard

In 1968-1969 more trailers were added

554 Buffet car (dual cables for AEC+70) withdrawn in 1970

713 and 714 Driving Brake Standard

726 and 727 Standard

The power cars' interiors were rebuilt between 1976 and 1979. During the same period 711 to 714 and 726 were rebuilt from side corridor to open layout

Trailer 728 (brake Standard) was rebuilt in 1976 from MPD driving trailer 534

In 1977 701 and 703 were rebuilt as Driving Brake Standard open

It was decided in 1983 that the 70 Class railcars would be replaced, No. 78 had already been withdrawn in May 1979 and the remaining units were to follow in 1985-1986. For the new units, and after heavy refurbishment, engines, generators and traction motors were recovered as the 70s were withdrawn to take their place in the new Class 450