British Rail Class 119

British Rail Class 119
In service	1958–1990s
Manufacturer	Gloucester Railway Carriage & Wagon Co. Ltd
Constructed	1958
Scrapped	81 cars (28 DMBC, 28 DMSL, 25 TSLRB)
Number preserved	3 cars
Formation	DMBC-TSLRB-DMSL
Capacity	DMBC: 18 first, 16 second TSLRB: 60 second DMSL: 68 second
Operator(s)	British Rail
Specifications
Car length	64 ft 6 in (19.66 m)
Width	9 ft 3 in (2.82 m)
Height	12 ft 8 1⁄4 in (3.87 m)
Maximum speed	70 mph (113 km/h)
Weight	DMBC: 37.0 long tons (37.6 t; 41.4 short tons) TSLRB: 31.0 long tons (31.5 t; 34.7 short tons) DMSL: 38.0 long tons (38.6 t; 42.6 short tons)
Prime mover(s)	Two BUT (AEC), then BUT (Leyland 680-1595) of 150 hp (112 kW) per power car
Power output	600 hp (447 kW) per 3-car set
Transmission	Mechanical
Safety system(s)	Automatic Warning System
Multiple working	■ Blue Square
Track gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)

The British Rail Class 119 DMUs were used throughout the Western Region and on services in the Midlands sourced by Tyseley Depot. Shortly after their introduction, sets were transferred from Cardiff to serve the intermediate stations on outer suburban services from London Paddington to Oxford. These were as 7-car sets, with the addition of Hawksworth composites adapted to run as DMU trailers.

Sets worked over most of the Western Region, notable early use being the last passenger train over the Plympton branch. Minehead, Calne and Bridport branches that have since closed were also served by the sets, which also covered main line services in company with the Swindon Cross Country sets.

Visually, the body design was based on the Swindon Cross-Country sets, but with a Derby cab.

As with most asbestos contaminated stock, there were heavy withdrawals, but a number were rebuilt internally after asbestos removal. The rebuilt sets were frequently used on express services from Reading to Gatwick Airport along the Reading-Gatwick link and on stopping services to Tonbridge. Units stabled at Redhill Station overnight would find themselves being fueled at Selhust Depot, working parcels services to London Bridge and at Clapham Junction working the 'Kenny Belle' early morning service to Kensington Olympia.

The fleet was displaced by the 'Turbo' Class 165 and Class 166 fleets in 1992.

Orders

Preservation

• 51073 (DMBC) Ecclesbourne Valley Railway
• 51074 (DMBC) Swindon and Cricklade Railway
• 51104 (DMSL) Swindon and Cricklade Railway

2 vehicles are currently undergoing restoration on the Swindon and Cricklade Railway (updated 14/6/12). 1 vehicle has recently been restored on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway (updated 25/08/13).

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to British Rail Class 119.

• The Railcar Association - Class 119
• The Railcar Association - Class 119 photo gallery
• Ecclesbourne Valley Railway - Class 119 W51073 Restoration Diary