British Rail Class 950
The British Rail Class 950 is a diesel multiple unit that was purpose-built by British Rail Engineering Limited's Holgate Road carriage works for the British Rail Research Division for use as a track assessment unit. It is currently operated by Network Rail.
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| British Rail Class 950 | |
|---|---|
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| Manufacturer | British Rail Engineering Limited |
| Built at | Holgate Road Works, York |
| Family name | Sprinter |
| Constructed | 1987 |
| Number built | 1 |
| Number in service | 1 |
| Formation | 2 cars: DM-DM |
| Fleet numbers |
|
| Operator | Network Rail |
| Depot | Railway Technical Centre (Derby)[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Steel[2] |
| Car length | 19.930 m (65 ft 4.6 in)[2] |
| Width | 2.816 m (9 ft 2.9 in)[2] |
| Height | 3.774 m (12 ft 4.6 in) |
| Maximum speed | 75 mph (121 km/h) |
| Prime mover | 2 × Cummins NT855-R5 (one per vehicle)[2] |
| Engine type | Inline-6 4-stroke turbo-diesel[3] |
| Displacement | 14 L (855 cu in) per engine[3] |
| Power output | 213 kW (286 hp) per engine |
| Transmission | Voith T 211 r (hydrokinetic) |
| UIC classification | 2′B′+B′2′ |
| Braking system | Electro-pneumatic (tread) |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
The British Rail Class 950 is a diesel multiple unit that was purpose-built by British Rail Engineering Limited's Holgate Road carriage works for the British Rail Research Division for use as a track assessment unit. It is currently operated by Network Rail.
Description
[edit]
It was built in 1987 using the same bodyshell as the Class 150/1 Sprinters.[4] It was originally classified as a Class 180,[1] but was reclassified into the departmental series.[when?] As part of the privatisation of British Rail, it passed to Railtrack in 1994 and then Network Rail in 2002. The unit is formed of two driving motor vehicles, numbered 999600 and 999601.
Current operations
[edit]The unit is currently painted in a plain overall yellow livery with Network Rail branding. It mostly works on branch lines, where the track quality is not good enough for larger and heavier track assessment stock. It is able to operate over most railway lines around Great Britain. The unit is based at the Railway Technical Centre in Derby.
Future
[edit]In December 2024, Network Rail announced that the unit would be withdrawn and disposed of, to be replaced by additional (modified) Class 153s.[5]
Fleet details
[edit]| Class | Operator | Qty. | Year built | Cars per unit | Unit nos. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 950 | Network Rail | 1 | 1987 | 2 | 950001 | Network Rail Test Train |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Fox, Peter; Hughes, Barry (1994). DMUs & Channel Tunnel Stock. British Railways Pocket Book No.3 (7th ed.). Platform 5. p. 50-51. ISBN 978-1-872524-59-7. OCLC 655359645. OL 12078214M. Wikidata Q112224435.
- ^ a b c d Vehicle Diagram Book No. 220 for Diesel Multiple Unit Trains (Railcars) (PDF). Derby: British Railways Board. 1982. DP238 & DP239. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 January 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2016 – via Barrowmore MRG.
- ^ a b Marine Engine General Data Sheet N/NT/NTA 855-M (PDF). Columbus, Indiana: Cummins Engine Company. 18 February 2002. p. 1. DS-4962. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
- ^ "Sprinter track recorder handed-over to BR". The Railway Magazine. No. 1041. January 1988. p. 9.
- ^ "Network Rail Class 150 to be withdrawn and disposed of". 20 December 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
External links
[edit]
Media related to British Rail Class 950 at Wikimedia Commons