British Rail Class 901

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901001 at RVE Derby on 28th September 2007

Class 960, no. 960001 at Norwich on 31st January 2004. At the time, this unit was painted in Railtrack blue/green livery. It has since been reclassified as Class 901 unit no. 901001 and repainted in Network Rail yellow livery.

The Class 901 designation is used for two former British Rail Class 101 diesel multiple units converted for departmental use. They were reclassified from the Class 960 series in early 2004 by their owner Network Rail.

The two units are described below.

[edit] 901001

This unit was converted in 1986 from a Class 101 power-twin unit. It was rebuilt as an Ultrasonic Test Train, replacing the former-Derby Lightweight unit that was previously used for this task. The unit was substantially rebuilt, including new headlight clusters, sealing of many windows, and later fitting of video and floodlight equipment for night-time use.

The unit also incorporates a heavily-modified former Class 432 4Rep driving motor vehicle, which is now an intermediate trailer.

The Units Class 101 Power Cars are unique, as they are the only first generation DMU cars to have been converted to Air Brakes (both Westinghouse and Electro-Pnumatic). Most of the brake equipment came from former Class 50 Diesel Electric Locomotives, with some parts from ex-Southern Region EMU stock. All first generation DMU's were fitted with Vacuum Brakes from new.

The unit was originally painted in a unique silver and grey livery. This was replaced by Serco red/grey in the mid-1990s, followed more recently by Railtrack Blue/lime green.

[edit] 901002

901002 in Network Rail's all-over yellow livery in 2005

This unit was converted in 1991, also from a power twin unit. It was rebuilt as test train "Iris 2", supplementing and eventually replacing the original "Iris" unit, which was a former-Derby Lightweight single-car unit.

Like 901001, this unit has carried various liveries, starting with a silver and grey livery similar to that carried by 901001. This was followed by Serco red/grey, Railtrack Blue/lime green, and most recently the latest Network Rail all-over yellow livery. This unit has since been stored at Derby's Railway Technical Centre and is to be sold by Network Rail.

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British Rail Class 901