The British Railways Class 101 is a type of diesel multiple unit (DMU) which were built by Metro-Cammell at Washwood Heath Locomotive Works in Birmingham, England from 1956 to 1959, following construction of a series of prototype units.
The class 101 power cars featured Leyland 0.680 engines and SCG epicyclic gearboxes, standard UK bus/truck units of the time. The engines were horizontally mounted under the floors between the bogies.
This class proved to be the most successful and second longest-lived of all BR's First Generation DMUs, (the longest being the Class 121 in 2017) with the final five units being withdrawn on 24 December 2003. The oldest set was, by then, just over 47 years old.[1]
Operations[]
Class 101 DMUs were used across much of the British Rail network (with the notable exceptions of the Southern Region and the Western Region - apart from some inter-regional workings). Notable concentration of services included:
Scotland[]
Class 101s operated various routes in Scotland starting in July 1958. Edinburgh - Dundee was a regular working, with units stabled at Dundee depot. Upon ScotRail's formation, the units continued in use and were in service up to Privatisation in 1997, with some painted in orange and black Strathclyde PTE livery.
In January 1984, a fire at Ayr depot destroyed six 101s and as a result an equivalent number of Class 104 were drafted in to fill the gap.
Upon Privatisation in 1997, ScotRail retained eleven units in service, running the Glasgow to Barrhead, East Kilbride, Paisley Canal and Whifflet as well as the Motherwell to Cumbernauld services. Although Class 101s were a common sight in Scotland up to the late 90s, they started to disappear from Glasgow Central high level with the introduction of the Class 156. Newer Class 170s started a stock cascade and the type's withdrawal began. Upon the 101s final withdrawal from Scotland in November 1999, the remaining sets were returned to Manchester.
West Midlands[]
Starting on 14 April 1958, the region received a batch of two and three car units. Class 101s were extensively used for commuter services on the Cross-City Line and Chase Line in Birmingham and services to Worcester before being put to work in outlying areas.
Operating from Tyseley depot, the type was used all over the West Midlands well into the 1980s. Just as with the Class 116 which was also heavily used on the same routes, the 101s were withdrawn from WMPTE service on 12 July 1993 when the Cross-City Line was fully electrified. In all, the 101 served the West Midlands for over 35 years.
Teesside[]
Arriving in 1957 at the newly opened Darlington depot, the 101s were initially used on runs between Darlington and Saltburn on the Tees Valley Line. Most of the first batch of 101s ordered were allocated to Darlington. The class continued to serve the line well into the 1980s.[22] The type was withdrawn 21 September 1989 in favour of Pacers.
Tyneside[]
The initial order of 339 vehicles were allocated to the Tyneside area. The 101s first went into service on 24 October 1956 when seven 4-car and 10 2-car units were delivered. A route from Newcastle to Middlesbrough followed. From February 1957, they began operating a stopping service between Newcastle and Carlisle. A longer diagram between Newcastle and Leeds offered a buffet service. The 101s routes were expanded to the whole Tyneside area, replacing the local steam-hauled services. This included the Alston line between Haltwhistle and Alston where the class operated until the line closed in 1976.
Later services were run by Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive and stabled at South Gosforth depot. They remained in service in the region until 30 May 1981 when they were superseded by the Tyne and Wear Metro. At which point, the class was withdrawn and the sets sent to Neville Hill depot in Leeds to be re-deployed.
West and South Yorkshire[]
An initial batch of 10 units went into service in Bradford in December 1956. Operating out of Neville Hill depot in Leeds, the 101s were used extensively for short commuter services. Because of the relatively underpowered engines, the more powerful Class 111 was paired up with some 101 units, while others were moved to other depots. Occasional services between York - Manchester and beyond were worked via the Calder Valley. Regular services were run between Leeds, Bradford, York and Sheffield but the units could also be seen in places such as Scarborough and Whitby.
In popular culture[]
The British Rail Class 101 is used as the basis for Daisy the Diesel Railcar in The Railway Series and Thomas & Friends, although her design is modified as she is a single unit.[2]
Original TOPS classes[]
When TOPS was originally introduced only the Driving Motor Brake Second (DMBS) and the Driving Motor Composite (with Lavatory) (DMCL) were classified as Class 101 (AEC engines) or Class 102 (Leyland engines). The Driving Trailer Composite (with Lavatory) (DTCL) were either Class 144 or Class 147. The Trailer Seconds (with Lavatory) (TSL) were Class 162, the Trailer Brake Second (with Lavatory) (TBSL) were Class 168 and the Trailer Composite (with Lavatory) (TCL) were Class 171. Later all the cars were reclassified, becoming Class 101.
| Fleet numbers |
Type | Order | Seating | Weight | Lot No | Diagram | Formation (Original) | Year built |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50138–50151 | DMC(L) | 101/1 | 12F 45S (2/2) | 32t | 30249 | BR 618 | 4-car | 1956 |
| 50152–50157 | DMBS | 101/2 | 52S | 32t | 30252 | BR 523 | Power-Twin | 1956/7 |
| 50158–50163 | DMC(L) | 101/1 | 12F 53S | 32t | 30253 | BR 620 | Power-Twin | 1956/7 |
| 50164–50167 | DMBS | 101/2 | 52S | 32t | 30254 | BR 523 | Power-Twin | 1956/7 |
| 50168–50171 | DMC(L) | 101/1 | 12F 53S | 32t | 30255 | BR 620 | Power-Twin | 1956/7 |
| 50172–50197 | DMC(L) | 101/1 | 12F 53S | 32t | 30256 | BR 620 | 4-car | 1957 |
| 50198–50209 | DMBS | 101/2 | 52s | 32t | 30259 | BR 523 | P/Trailer | 1957 |
| 50210–50233 | DMBS | 101/2 | 52s | 32t | 30261 | BR 523 | P/Trailer | 1957 |
| 50234–50245 | DMC(L) | 101/1 | 12F 45S | 32t | 30263 | BR 619 | 4-car | 1957 |
| 50246–50248 | DMBS | 101/2 | 52S | 32t | 30339 | BR 619 | P/Trailer | 1957 |
| 50250–50259 | DMBS | 101/2 | 52S | 32t | 30266 | BR 523 | Power-Twin | 1957 |
| 50260–50269 | DMC(L) | 101/1 | 12f 53S | 32t | 30267 | BR 621 | Power-Twin | 1957 |
| 50290–50292 | DMBS | 101/2 | 52S | 32t | 30270 | BR 523 | 3-car | 1957 |
| 50293–50296 | DMBS | 101/2 | 52S | 32t | 30270 | BR 523 | Power/Trailer 2-car | 1957 |
| 50303–50320 | DMBS | 101/2 | 52S | 32t | 30275 | BR 523 | 3-car | 1958 |
| 50321–50338 | DMC(L) | 101/1 | 12F + 53S | 32t | 30276 | BR 621 | 3-car | 1958 |
| 50745–50747 | DMC(L) | 101/1 | 12F + 53S | 32t | 30271 | BR 621 | 3-car | 1957 |
| 50748–50751 | DMC(L) | 101/1 | 12F + 53S | 32t | 30271 | BR 621 | 4-car | 1957 |
| 51174–51203 | DMBS | 101/1 | 52S | 32t | 30467 | BR 523 | Power/Trailer 2-car | 1958 |
| 51204–51223 | DMBS | 101/2 | 52S | 32t | 30467 | BR 523 | Power/Trailer 2-car | 1958 |
| 51224–51253 | DMBS | 101/2 | 52S | 32t | 30467 | BR 523 | Power/Trailer 2-car | 1958 |
| 51425–51434 | DMBS | 102/2 | 52S | 32t | 30500 | BR 523 | Power/Trailer 2-car | 1959 |
| 51435–51444 | DMBS | 102/2 | 52S | 32t | 30500 | BR 523 | 4-car | 1959 |
| 51445–51470 | DMBS | 102/2 | 52S | 32t | 30500 | BR 523 | 3-car | 1959 |
| 51495–51504 | DMC(L) | 102/1 | 12f+53S | 32t | 30501 | BR 621 | P/Twin | 1959 |
| 51505–51514 | DMC(L) | 102/1 | 12f+53S | 32t | 30501 | BR 621 | 4-car | 1959 |
| 51515–51540 | DMC(L) | 102/1 | 12f+53S | 32t | 30501 | BR 621 | 3-car | 1959 |
| 51795–51801 | DMBS | 102/2 | 52S | 32t | 30587 | BR 523 | 3-car | 1959 |
| 51802–51808 | DMC(L) | 102/1 | 12F+53S | 32t | 30588 | BR 621 | 3-car | 1959 |
| 56050–56061 | DTC(L) | 144 | 12F+53S | 25t | 30260 | BR 630 | Power/Trailer 2-car | 1957 |
| 56062–56085 | DTC(L) | 144 | 12F+53S | 25t | 30262 | BR 630 | Power/Trailer 2-car | 1957 |
| 56086–56089 | DTC(L) | 144 | 12F+52S | 25t | 30272 | BR 630 | Power/Trailer 2-car | 1957 |
| 56218–56220 | DTC(L) | 144 | 12F+45S | 25t | 30340 | BR 629 | Power/Trailer 2-car | 1957 |
| 56332–56361 | DTC(L) | 144 | 12F+53S | 25t | 30340 | BR 630 | Power/Trailer 2-car | 1957 |
| 56362–56381 | DTC(L) | 144 | 12F+53S | 25t | 30468 | BR 630 | Power/Trailer 2-car | 1957 |
| 56382–56411 | DTC(L) | 144 | 12F+53S | 25t | 30468 | BR 630 | Power/Trailer 2-car | 1957 |
| 59042–59048 | TS(L) | 162 | 61S | 25t | 30250 | BR 622 | 4-car | 1956 |
| 59049–59055 | TBS(L) | 168 | 45S | 25t | 30251 | BR 626 | 4-car | 1956 |
| 59060–59072 | TS(L) | 162 | 71S | 25t | 30257 | BR 623 | 4-car | 1957 |
| 59073–59085 | TBS(L) | 168 | 53S | 25t | 30258 | BR 627 | 4-car | 1957 |
| 59086–59091 | TS(L) | 162 | 61S | 25t | 30264 | BR 622 | 4-car | 1957 |
| 59092–59097 | TBS(L) | 168 | 45S | 25t | 30265 | BR 622 | 4-car | 1957 |
| 59112–59113 | TBS(L) | 168 | 53S | 25t | 30274 | BR 627 | 4-car | 1957 |
| 59114–59131 | TC(L) | 171 | 12F+53S | 25t | 30277 | BR 624 | 3-car | 1957 |
| 59302–59304 | TS(L) | 162 | 71S | 25t | 30273 | BR 623 | 3-car | 1957 |
| 59305–59306 | TC(L) | 171 | 71S | 25t | 30273 | BR 623 | 4-car | 1957 |
| 59523–59542 | TC(L) | 171 | 12F+53S | 25t | 30277 | BR 624 | 3-car | 1957 |
| 59543–59568 | TC(L) | 171 | 12F+53S | 25t | 30502 | BR 624 | 3-car | 1958 |
| 59685–59692 | TC(L) | 171 | 12F+53S | 25t | 30589 | BR 624 | 3-car | 1959 |
| 59569–59572 | TS(L) | 164 | 71S | 25t | 30510 | BR 623 | - | 1960 |
| 59573–59578 | TSB(L) | 165 | 71S | 25t | 30510 | BR 625 | - | 1960 |
Preservation[]
The Class 101 was one of the largest classes of first-generation DMUs and partly thanks to their relatively late withdrawal from revenue-earning service, numerous vehicles have been preserved on heritage railways, including the Great Central Railway and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. There are only three centre cars preserved: at the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, North Yorkshire Moors Railway and Mid-Norfolk Railway and none of the Trailer Brake Seconds were preserved.
| Set number | Vehicle numbers | Livery | Location | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMBS | TCL | DMCL | ||||
| 101685 | 50164 | 59539 | 50160 | BR Green | North Yorkshire Moors Railway | Last to be withdrawn, operational |
| 960992 | 50203 | - | 50193 | BR Blue and Grey | Great Central Railway | Under restoration |
| 101680 | 50204 | - | 51511 | BR Green | North Yorkshire Moors Railway | Stored |
| Iris 2 | 50222 | - | 50338 | BR Green | Barry Tourist Railway | Operational |
| 101692 | 50253 | 59303 (TSL) | 50170 | BR Green | Ecclesbourne Valley Railway | Operational |
| - | 50256 | - | 56343(DTCL) | BR Blue | Wensleydale Railway | Stored |
| - | 50266(DMCL) | - | - | BR Green | Great Central Railway | Operational |
| - | 51187 | - | 51512 | BR Green | Cambrian Heritage Railways | Under repair |
| - | 51188 | - | 51505 | BR Blue | Ecclesbourne Valley Railway | Operational (51188 on loan to North Norfolk Railway for 2018/19) |
| - | 51189 | - | 51803 | BR Green | Keighley and Worth Valley Railway | Operational |
| - | 51192 | - | 56352(DTCL) | BR Green | North Norfolk Railway | On loan from the National Railway Museum, operational |
| - | 51205 | - | 56055(DTCL) | BR Green | Cambrian Heritage Railways | Operational |
| 101678 | 51210 | - | 50746 | BR Blue / BR Blue and Grey | Wensleydale Railway | Last to be withdrawn, under restoration |
| - | 51213 | - | 56358(DTCL) | BR Blue and Grey / BR Blue | East Anglian Railway Museum | Operational |
| 101695 | 51226 | - | 51499 | BR Green | Mid Norfolk Railway | Operational |
| - | 51228 | - | 56062(DTCL) | BR Green | North Norfolk Railway | Operational |
| 960993 | 51427 | 59575 (Class 111) | 50321 | BR Green | Great Central Railway | Operational |
| L836 | 51434(DMBC) | 59117 | 51503 | BR Blue and Grey | Mid Norfolk Railway | Operational (Currently as 2-car only) |
| - | - | - | 56342(DTCL) | BR Blue and Grey | Great Central Railway | Under restoration |
| - | - | - | 56347(DTCL) | BR Green | Mid Norfolk Railway | Operational |
| - | - | - | 56356(DTCL) | Non Standard Green and Cream | Barry Island Railway | Stored |
| - | - | - | 56408(DTCL) | SR Malachite Green | Spa Valley Railway | Operational |
| - | 50211 | - | - | Regional Railways | Private Site | Stored, cab only |
| - | - | - | 50269 | Regional Railways | Private Site | Stored, cab only |
| - | 51177 | - | - | BR Blue | Private Site, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire | Cab only, used as a store room. |
Gallery[]
