UTA 70 Class
Encyclopedia
UTA 70 class was a diesel multiple unit
train built for service on Northern Ireland Railways
. The MED
’s and MPD
’s, which made use of readily available power and transmission units, were cheap to operate but noisier and not as comfortable as locomotive-hauled rolling stock, a fact which made them unsuitable for Inter-City journeys. The decision was made to develop a new generation of multiple unit and in July 1966 the first of the new DEMU sets entered service.
Unlike the MEDs and MPDs with their low - powered underfloor engines and mechanical transmissions spread through the train, the new units had a single English Electric
engine of 550 hp, fitted in a compartment between the driving cab and the passenger saloon, and electric transmission. Whilst construction was carried out at the UTA's York Road works in Belfast they imported underframes and body parts. This order comprised parts for the construction of eight power cars and the modification of existing coaches, The 70 Class were first introduced on the former Northern Counties Committee
section but were later also worked cross-border trains.
Like the MPDs these units were also suitable for working freight services and regularly appeared on the CIÉ
freight services to and from Derry.
The 70s were numbered as follows:
Each power car was named after Northern Irish rivers in October 1970. The names are as follows:
The original trailer cars were as follows:
In 1968–1969 more trailers were added
The power cars' interiors were rebuilt between 1976 and 1979. During the same period 711 to 714 and 726 were rebuilt from side corridor to open layout
Trailer 728 (brake Standard) was rebuilt in 1976 from MPD driving trailer 534
In 1977 701 and 703 were rebuilt as Driving Brake Standard open
It was decided in 1983 that the 70 Class railcars would be replaced, No. 78 had already been withdrawn in May 1979 and the remaining units were to follow in 1985–1986. For the new units, and after heavy refurbishment, engines, generators and traction motors were recovered as the 70s were withdrawn for re-use in the new 450 class
.
, whereupon it regained its original UTA number, 87, and was pained in LMS NCC
livery.
Diesel multiple unit
A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:...
train built for service on Northern Ireland Railways
Northern Ireland Railways
NI Railways, also known as Northern Ireland Railways and for a brief period of time, Ulster Transport Railways , is the railway operator in Northern Ireland...
. The MED
UTA MED
The Ulster Transport Authority Multi-Engined Diesel was an early diesel powered railcar, used in Northern Ireland. The 12-mile Belfast-Bangor railway line had a well used passenger service and, being devoid of goods traffic, was chosen as the testing ground for the diesel railcar era...
’s and MPD
UTA MPD
The Ulster Transport Authority Multi-Purpose Diesel was a diesel powered railcar, used in Northern Ireland. It was developed by the Ulster Transport Authority as a progression of the earlier Multi-engined Diesel...
’s, which made use of readily available power and transmission units, were cheap to operate but noisier and not as comfortable as locomotive-hauled rolling stock, a fact which made them unsuitable for Inter-City journeys. The decision was made to develop a new generation of multiple unit and in July 1966 the first of the new DEMU sets entered service.
History
Investment was needed on the “Inter City” routes and it was a straight choice between new locomotives and coaching stock or a new generation of multiple unit. The decision was made in favour of new multiple units and in 1966 the first of these entered service, designated 70 Class.Unlike the MEDs and MPDs with their low - powered underfloor engines and mechanical transmissions spread through the train, the new units had a single English Electric
English Electric
English Electric was a British industrial manufacturer. Founded in 1918, it initially specialised in industrial electric motors and transformers...
engine of 550 hp, fitted in a compartment between the driving cab and the passenger saloon, and electric transmission. Whilst construction was carried out at the UTA's York Road works in Belfast they imported underframes and body parts. This order comprised parts for the construction of eight power cars and the modification of existing coaches, The 70 Class were first introduced on the former Northern Counties Committee
Northern Counties Committee
The Northern Counties Committee was a railway that served the north-east of Ireland. It was built to Irish gauge but later acquired a number of narrow gauge lines...
section but were later also worked cross-border trains.
Like the MPDs these units were also suitable for working freight services and regularly appeared on the CIÉ
Córas Iompair Éireann
Córas Iompair Éireann , or CIÉ, is a statutory corporation of the Irish state, answerable to the Irish Government and responsible for most public transport in the Republic of Ireland and, jointly with its Northern Ireland counterpart, the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company, between the...
freight services to and from Derry.
The 70s were numbered as follows:
- Power Cars 71 to 78.
Each power car was named after Northern Irish rivers in October 1970. The names are as follows:
| Number | Name |
|---|---|
| 71 | River Bush River Bush The River Bush is a river in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The river's source is in the Antrim Hills at 480m. From there the river flows northwest, with a bend at the town of Armoy. It then flows west, passing through Stranocum, and then bends north, passing through Bushmills before reaching... |
| 72 | River Foyle River Foyle The River Foyle is a river in west Ulster in the northwest of Ireland, which flows from the confluence of the rivers Finn and Mourne at the towns of Lifford in County Donegal, Republic of Ireland, and Strabane in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. From here it flows to the City of Derry, where it... |
| 73 | River Roe |
| 74 | River Lagan River Lagan The River Lagan is a major river in Northern Ireland which runs 40 miles from the Slieve Croob mountain in County Down to Belfast where it enters Belfast Lough, an inlet of the Irish Sea. The River Lagan forms much of the border between County Antrim and County Down. It rises as a tiny fast... |
| 75 | River Maine |
| 76 | River Inver |
| 77 | River Braid |
| 78 | River Bann River Bann The River Bann is the longest river in Northern Ireland, the total length being 80 miles . The river winds its way from the south east corner of Northern Ireland to the north west coast, pausing in the middle to widen into the enormous Lough Neagh... |
The original trailer cars were as follows:
- 548 Buffet car (dual cables for MPD+70)
- 550 Buffet car (converted from MPD car)
- 701 Brake First
- 702 Brake Composite
- 703 Brake Standard
- 711 Driving Brake Compostite
- 712 Driving Brake Compostite
- 721 to 725 Standard
In 1968–1969 more trailers were added
- 554 Buffet car (dual cables for AEC+70) withdrawn in 1970
- 713 and 714 Driving Brake Standard
- 726 and 727 Standard
The power cars' interiors were rebuilt between 1976 and 1979. During the same period 711 to 714 and 726 were rebuilt from side corridor to open layout
Trailer 728 (brake Standard) was rebuilt in 1976 from MPD driving trailer 534
In 1977 701 and 703 were rebuilt as Driving Brake Standard open
It was decided in 1983 that the 70 Class railcars would be replaced, No. 78 had already been withdrawn in May 1979 and the remaining units were to follow in 1985–1986. For the new units, and after heavy refurbishment, engines, generators and traction motors were recovered as the 70s were withdrawn for re-use in the new 450 class
NIR 450 Class
The Class 450 is a type of diesel multiple unit used by Northern Ireland Railways.-History:In the mid 1980s, Northern Ireland Railways was in the process of upgrading its rolling stock. Having already purchased three new locomotives, it then proceeded to purchase replacements for its Class 70...
.
Preservation
Buffet Car 550 entered preservation in 1978 with the Railway Preservation Society of IrelandRailway Preservation Society of Ireland
The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland is an Irish railway preservation group operating in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It was founded in 1964. The Society has its headquarters at Whitehead, County Antrim, Northern Ireland and a base at Mullingar, County Westmeath...
, whereupon it regained its original UTA number, 87, and was pained in LMS NCC
Northern Counties Committee
The Northern Counties Committee was a railway that served the north-east of Ireland. It was built to Irish gauge but later acquired a number of narrow gauge lines...
livery.