British Rail Class 126

Infobox DMU
name = British Rail Class 126


imagesize = 240px
background = #0033cc
caption =
Manufacturer = BR Swindon Works
Operator = British Rail
Formation =
Built =1957
LinesServed =
InService = 1957-
CarLength = 64 ft 6 in
CarWidth = 9 ft 3 in
CarHeight = 12 ft 9 1/2 in
Weight = 38 tons
Capacity =
MaxSpeed = 70 mph (112 km/h)
Gauge =
Traction =
Engine =BUT (AEC) 150 hp
SafetySystem= |

The introduction of what became the Class 126 diesel multiple units originated in a British Transport Commission report of 1952 that suggested the trial use of diesel railcars. BR's Swindon Works were chosen to design and build express units for the ex-North British Railway Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Queen Street route. Swindon built a second batch in 1959/60 for use on services from Glasgow to Ayrshire.

Description

The cars were of steel construction and featured Pullman gangways and buckeye couplings. Each power car was fitted with two AEC 150 hp underfloor engines with mechanical transmission giving a maximum speed of 70 mph. Initially termed "Inter-urban", this was soon changed to "Inter-City" long before that branding was used for mainline express services.

These trains had two front-end designs: either a full-width cab or a half-cab with central gangway connection. The latter "intermediate" driving car allowed through access within a six-car set. Neither end featured any destination blinds or marker lights, only a box holding a stencil indicating the train classification (A, B or C; later changed to 1, 2 or 3). Power car seating was of the "open" saloon arrangement with compartment seating in the trailers. A unique multiple working control system (coded White Circle) was employed. Unlike other classes, each power car produced its own control air supply and was thus incompatible with any other.

The second batch was closely based on the 1956 stock, one big improvement was that the guard's van was moved to the rear of the coach giving passengers a forward view. Four-character headcode displays were fitted; the intermediate power cars having a two-character box either side of the gangway. Destination blinds and marker lights were not incorporated.

Operations

Most were introduced to Edinburgh to Glasgow (E. & G.) services in January 1957; allocated to Leith Central depot. However, the first six three-car sets worked their first three years on Western Region on Birmingham–South Wales services. There was criticism of the lack of a forward view for passengers and also of the plain "utility" appearance of the non-gangwayed cab front. The usual E. & G. formation was a six-car set with two trailers together in the centre of the train. The class usually stuck to this route but could appear on other services from time to time.

The second batch entered service in August 1959 from Ayr depot and was mostly used on Ayrshire Coast Line on Ayr, Girvan, Stranraer, Largs and Ardrossan workings. Formations were either three- or six-car with the trailers between two power cars as per most classes.

The 1970s saw the first class accommodation downgraded. Being of a non-standard design, the class was not included in the DMU refurbishment programme so remained in close-to-original condition. The main alteration was the plating over of the outer gangway connection on the DMS vehicles in 1979–81 owing drivers' complaints of draughts.

126s were displaced from E. & G. services from 1971 by the Class 27 push-pull sets. All were withdrawn by 1972 except for four cars transferred to Ayr. The Ayrshire Coast stock fared rather better, surviving almost intact until mass withdrawals in the early 1980s. The last two units finally lost the fight in January 1983. Although used on various other routes out of Glasgow in their final years, these 126s remained closely identified with the Ayr line until displacement by a mixture of loco-hauled trains and other DMUs. Electrification meant that DMU operations on the Ayrshire routes finally ended in 1986 with the introduction of Class 318 EMUs.

Post-BR use

Five of the ex-E&G leading power cars were overhauled and exported to Liberia for use by LAMCO mining company for staff trains.

Preservation

Four vehicles (51017, 51043, 59404 & 79443) survive in preservation, owned by the Scottish Railway Preservation Society and based at the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway. Three others (59098, 59099 & 79441) went to heritage lines but have now been cut up.

Numbering

1956 batch

*79083 - 090, 095 DMBS (Intermediate)
*79091 - 094, 096 - 111 DMBS (Leading)
*79155 - 68 DMS (Intermediate)
*79440 - 7 TRBF
*79470 - 82 TF

1959 batch

*50936, 51008 - 29 DMS (Intermediate)
*51030 - 51 DMBS (Leading)
*59098 / 9 TRBF
*59391 - 400 TF
*59402 - 12 TC

External links

* [http://www.class126.co.uk Swindon Diesel Preservation Society]