BRITISH RAIL CLASS 119

Their use was widespread throughout the Western Region and on services in the Midlands sourced by Tyseley Depot. Shortly after their introduction, sets were transferred from Cardiff to work the outer suburban services to Oxford. These were as 7 car sets, with the addition of Hawksworth composites adapted to run as DMU trailers.
Sets worked over most of the Western Region, notable early use being the last passenger train over the Plympton branch. Minehead, Calne and Bridport branches that have since closed were also served by the sets, which also covered main line services in company with the Swindon Cross Country sets.
Visually, the body design was based on the Swindon Cross-Country sets, but with a Derby cab.
As with most asbestos contaminated stock, there were heavy withdrawals, but a number were rebuilt internally after asbestos removal. The rebuilt sets were concentrated on Reading and the Reading-Gatwick link.
The fleet was displaced by the 'Turbo' Class 165 and Class 166 fleets in the early 1990s.

Contents

Numbers

Technical details

Preservation

Numbers

'DMBC' 51052 - 51079
'DMSL' 51080 - 51107
'TBSL' 59413 - 59437

Technical details

★ Builder: Gloucester Railway Carriage & Wagon Co. Ltd

★ Introduced: 1958

★ Coupling Code: Blue Square

★ Body: 64ft 6in x 9ft 3in

★ Engines: BUT (AEC) of 150hp

★ Transmission: Standard Mechanical

Preservation

'51073' (DMBC) Ecclesbourne Valley Railway
'51074' (DMBC) Swindon and Cricklade Railway
'51104' (DMC) Swindon and Cricklade Railway