British Rail Class 111

British Rail Class 111
British Rail class 111 on a Leeds to Morecambe service, March 1983
In service	1957–1989
Manufacturer	Metropolitan Cammell
Family name	First generation
Replaced	Steam locomotives and carriages
Constructed	1957–1960
Number built	23 train sets
Number preserved	1 trailer
Number scrapped	22 train sets
Formation	2-car sets: DMBS-DTCL or 3-car sets: DMBS-TSL-DMCL
Capacity	DMBS: 52 second DMCL/DTCL: 12 first 53 second TSL 71 second
Operators	British Rail
Specifications
Car length	57 ft 0 in (17.37 m)
Width	9 ft 3 in (2.82 m)
Height	12 ft 4 in (3.76 m)
Maximum speed	70 mph (113 km/h)
Weight	Power cars: 33 long tons 0 cwt (73,900 lb or 33.5 t) Trailer cars: 25 long tons 0 cwt (56,000 lb or 25.4 t)
Prime mover(s)	Two Rolls-Royce C6NFLH
Power output	180 hp (134 kW) per engine, 360 hp (268 kW) per power car
Transmission	Mechanical: 4-speed epicyclic gearbox
Braking system(s)	Vacuum
Coupling system	Screw-link
Multiple working	■ Blue Square
Track gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)

The Class 111 DMUs were based on Class 101/2s, but with different engines. The only external body difference was on the final batch of cars where a four character headcode box was fitted above the front cab windows, with the destination indicator on top of a reduced height centre window.

History

The first cars built, part of an order for 339 Metro-Camm cars, were 4 power/trailer sets for the LMR Manchester area built in early 1957. One of these was equipped with supercharged Rolls-Royce C6SFLH 230 hp 6-cylinder engines. This was followed by ten 3-car sets comprising DMBS/TSL/DMCL for the NER at Bradford, then a further twenty 3-car sets. The type lasted in service until 1989 when the class was withdrawn.

Fleet

Number	Order	Type	TOPS	Weight	Seats	Lot No.	Diagram	Formation	Year
M50134–50137	2d	DMBS	111/2	33 tons	52 second	30248	BR 520	P/Trailer	1957
E50270–50279	2xb	DMCL	111/1	33 tons	12 first 53-second	30268	BR 616	3-car	1957
E50280–50289	2xb	DMBS	111/2	33 tons	52 second	30338	BR 524	3-car	1957
E51541–51550	4c	DMBS	111/2	33 tons	52 second	30508	BR 615	2/3-car	1959/60
E51551–51560	4c	DMCL	111/1	33 tons	12 first 53-second	30509	BR 617	2/3-car	1959/60
M56090–56093	2d	DTCL	147	25 tons	12 first 53-second	30337	BR 628	P/Trailer	1957
E59100–59109	2xb	TSL	164	25 tons	71 second	30269	BR 623	3-car	1957
E59569–59572	4c	TSL	164	25 tons	71 second	30510	BR 623	3-car	1959/60
E59573–59578	4c	TSBL	165	25 tons	53 second	30615	BR 625	3-car	1960

Preservation

One car survives, buffet 59575 currently operational at the Great Central Railway. It operates as the centre car between two Class 101 power cars.

Bibliography

• Marsden, Colin J. (1982). Motive Power Recognition: 3 DMUs. Ian Allan. ISBN 0711012016.
• Robertson, Kevin (2004). British Railway Pictorial: First Generation DMUs. Ian Allan. ISBN 0711029709.
• Haresnape, Brian (1985). British Rail Fleet Survey 8: Diesel Multiple Units - The First Generation. Ian Allan. ISBN 0711014957.
• Golding, Brian (1995). A Pictorial Record of British Railways Diesel Multiple Units. Cheona. ISBN 1900298007.