British Rail Class 112

British Rail Classes 112 and 113

Last train from Nottingham Arkwright Street, 1969
In service 1960–1969
Manufacturer Cravens
Constructed 1960
Number built Class 112: 25 sets (50 cars)
Class 113: 25 sets (50 cars)
Number scrapped All
Formation Power-twin: DMBS-DMCL
Capacity DMBS: 52 second
DMCL: 12 first, 51 second
Operator British Rail
Specifications
Car length 57 ft 6 in (17.53 m)
Width 9 ft 3 in (2.82 m)
Maximum speed 70 mph (110 km/h)
Weight DMBS: 30 long tons 0 cwt (67,200 lb or 30.5 t),
DMCL: 30 long tons 0 cwt (67,200 lb or 30.5 t)
Prime mover(s) One Rolls-Royce C8NFLH
Power output 238 hp (177 kW) per car
Transmission Class 112: Mechanical 4-speed epicyclic gearbox
Class 113: Hydraulic
UIC classification (1A)(A1)+(1A)(A1)
Braking system(s) Vacuum
Coupling system Screw-link
Multiple working Blue Square
Track gauge 4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm)

The Class 112 and Class 113 DMUs used the standard Cravens body used on Class 105s but had a single Rolls-Royce C8NFLH engine rated at 238 hp (177 kW) per car, all of which formed into 'power twins'- two car sets with both vehicles powered.

There were two batches built, the first 50 vehicles (25 sets) had standard mechanical transmission via a gearbox and were allocated the Class 112. The second batch of 50 cars (25 sets) had hydraulic transmission, and became Class 113s.

The cars were built for services in the LMR Central Division and in the Liverpool - St Helens area, where the gradients in the Lancashire & Yorkshire area required more power. Both types also spent some time working from Cricklewood.

The gross weight of a set with all seats occupied was approximately 70 tons, giving 6.8 hp (5.1 kW) per ton. Empty, it was 8.1 hp/ton, which compared favourably with 5.7 hp/ton that the Cravens power/trailer had.

Orders

Lot No. Diagram Car Type Qty Fleet numbers Notes
30533 602 Driving Motor Brake Third (DMBS) 25 51681–51705 Class 112
30534 603 Driving Motor Composite with lavatory (DMCL) 25 51706–51730 Class 112
30535 604 Driving Motor Brake Third (DMBS) 25 51731–51755 Class 113
30536 605 Driving Motor Composite with lavatory (DMCL) 25 51756–51780 Class 113

Other technical details

Preservation

All 112s and 113s were withdrawn by the end of 1969, and none survive.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to British Rail Class 112.