British Rail Class 201
Encyclopedia
The British Rail
Class 201 (or 6S) six-car diesel-electric multiple units (DEMUs) were built in 1957-1958 at Eastleigh and Ashford
. They were built for use on the London-Hastings
line. Several tunnels along the route had restricted clearance, meaning that these units were built with a narrow body profile.
Original 6S Units
Departmental Units
. Vehicle no. 60000 has been named Hastings
after the town which it previously worked to.
Several of the vehicles now operate in preserved mainline registered unit 201001. Currently, it is used as cover for the Southern
Class 171 Turbostar
fleet on the Marshlink Line
.
British Rail
British Railways , which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was the operator of most of the rail transport in Great Britain between 1948 and 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the "Big Four" British railway companies and lasted until the gradual privatisation of British Rail, in stages...
Class 201 (or 6S) six-car diesel-electric multiple units (DEMUs) were built in 1957-1958 at Eastleigh and Ashford
Ashford railway works
Ashford railway works was in the town of Ashford in the county of Kent in England.-South Eastern Railway:Ashford locomotive works was built by the South Eastern Railway on a new site in 1847, replacing an earlier locomotive repair facility at New Cross in London...
. They were built for use on the London-Hastings
Hastings Line
The Hastings Line is a railway line in Kent and East Sussex linking Hastings with the main town of Tunbridge Wells, and from there into London via Sevenoaks.-Openings:The line was opened by the South Eastern Railway in main three stages: – :...
line. Several tunnels along the route had restricted clearance, meaning that these units were built with a narrow body profile.
Technical details
Power car (two per six-car set)- Introduced: 1957
- Weight: 55 long tons (55.9 t)
- Engine: English Electric 4-cylinder type 4SRKT Mark II of 600 shaft horsepower at 850 rpm (Equivalent to 1000 bhp or 750 kW per 6-car set)
- Transmission: Electric, two English Electric type EE507 traction motors rated at 186Kw (250 hp)each.
- Maximum tractive effort: 12500 lbf (55.6 kN) per car; 25000 lbf (111.2 kN) per unit
- Driving wheel diameter: 3 in 4 in (1.02 m) Driving Bogie; 3 in 6 in (1.07 m) Trailer Bogie
- Coupling code: 'Buck-Eye' Type allowing coupling to any BR(S) 20x,4xx Units
- Train heating: Electric
Fleet details
| Key: | Preserved | Departmental Use | Scrapped |
|---|
Original 6S Units
| Unit No. | DMBSO | TSOL | TSOL | TFK | TSOL | DMBSO | Withdrawn | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New | Old | ||||||||
| 201001 | 1001 | 60000 | 60500 | 60501 | 60700 | 60502 | 60001 | 1986 | Preserved |
| - | 1002 | 60002 | 60503 | 60504 | 60701 | 60505 | 60003 | 1986 | Sandite unit 1066 British Rail Class 951 The British Rail Class 951 was reserved for former diesel-electric multiple units converted for departmental use. Units were converted for various tasks, including application of sandite, de-icing duties, and use as tractor units to tow other trains... |
| - | 1003 | 60004 | 60506 | 60507 | 60702 | 60508 | 60005 | ? | Scrapped |
| - | 1004 | 60006 | 60509 | 60510 | 60703 | 60511 | 60007 | ? | Scrapped |
| - | 1005 | 60008 | 60512 | 60513 | 60704 | 60514 | 60009 | ? | Scrapped |
| - | 1006 | 60010 | 60515 | 60516 | 60705 | 60517 | 60011 | ? | Scrapped |
| - | 1007 | 60012 | 60518 | 60519 | 60706 | 60520 | 60013 | ? | Scrapped |
Departmental Units
| Unit No. | DM | T | DM | Withdrawn | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New | Old | |||||
| 1066 British Rail Class 951 The British Rail Class 951 was reserved for former diesel-electric multiple units converted for departmental use. Units were converted for various tasks, including application of sandite, de-icing duties, and use as tractor units to tow other trains... |
1002 | 977376 (ex-60002) | 977379 (ex-60504) | 977377 (ex-60003) | 1994 | Scrapped (1994) |
Preservation
Most units were withdrawn and scrapped following electrification of the route in 1986. However, one complete unit, no. 1001, was preserved by Hastings Diesels Ltd., which is based at St Leonards-on-SeaSt Leonards-on-Sea
St Leonards-on-Sea is part of Hastings, East Sussex, England, lying immediately to the west of the centre. The original part of the settlement was laid out in the early 19th century as a new town: a place of elegant houses designed for the well-off; it also included a central public garden, a...
. Vehicle no. 60000 has been named Hastings
Hastings
Hastings is a town and borough in the county of East Sussex on the south coast of England. The town is located east of the county town of Lewes and south east of London, and has an estimated population of 86,900....
after the town which it previously worked to.
Several of the vehicles now operate in preserved mainline registered unit 201001. Currently, it is used as cover for the Southern
Southern (train operating company)
Southern is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. Officially named Southern Railway Ltd., it is a subsidiary of Govia, a joint venture between transport groups Go-Ahead Group and Keolis, and has operated the South Central rail franchise since October 2000 and the Gatwick Express service...
Class 171 Turbostar
Turbostar
Turbostar is the name given to a family of diesel multiple units built by Bombardier Transportation at their Litchurch Lane Works in Derby, England...
fleet on the Marshlink Line
Marshlink Line
The Marshlink Line is the name given to services on the railway line linking Ashford with Hastings in the South East of England. The line was part of an original proposal by a company named the Brighton Lewes and Hastings Railway to extend its coast route to Hastings...
.