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British Rail Class 111

British Rail Class 111
British Rail class 111 passing Skipton in March 1983
In service1957–1989
ManufacturerMetropolitan Cammell
Family nameFirst generation
ReplacedSteam locomotives and carriages
Constructed1957–1960
Number built24 sets (DMBS: 24, DMCL: 20, DTCL: 4, TSL: 14, TSBL: 6)
Number preserved1 trailer
Formation2-car sets: DMBS-DTCL or
3-car sets: DMBS-TSL/TSBL-DMCL
CapacityDMBS: 52 second
DMCL/DTCL: 12 first 53 second
TSL: 71 second
TSBL: 53 second
OperatorsBritish Rail
Specifications
Car length57 ft 0 in (17.37 m)
Width9 ft 3 in (2.82 m)
Height12 ft 4 in (3.76 m)
Maximum speed70 mph (113 km/h)
WeightPower 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 output180 hp (134 kW) per engine, 360 hp (268 kW) per power car
TransmissionMechanical: 4-speed epicyclic gearbox
Braking system(s)Vacuum
Coupling systemScrew-link
Multiple working■ Blue Square
Track gauge4 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 ten 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 The type lasted in service until 1989 when the class was withdrawn.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.

Last updated 24 June 2025. All information and images sourced from the relevant Wikipedia article(s) unless stated otherwise. If any information is incorrect, please let us know by emailing us: [email protected]. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0; additional terms apply.