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British Rail Class 128

British Rail Class 128
M55989 Post Office motor parcels van at Manchester Victoria, 1982
In service1959–1990
ManufacturerGloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Company
Order no.
  • 30551 (55991-55996)
  • 30552 (55987-55990)
Family nameFirst generation
ReplacedSteam locomotives and carriages
Constructed1959-1960
Entered service1959
Scrapped1971-1991
Number built10
Number scrappedAll
FormationSingle car:
DMPMV
Diagram
  • DX501 or BR643
  • DX502 or BR644
Fleet numbers55987-55996
CapacityLuggage space only
OperatorsBritish Rail
Depots
Lines servedWestern Region (1960-1988)
London Midland Region
Eastern Region (1988-1990)
Specifications
Car body constructionSteel
Car length64 ft 6+18 in (19.663 m) (over body)
Width9 ft (2.7 m) (over body at waist)
Height12 ft 8+14 in (3.867 m) (over vents)
Floor height4 ft 3+716 in (1.307 m)
DoorsSlam for cab, sliding for luggage
Wheelbase
  • 46 ft 6 in (14.17 m) (bogie centres)
  • 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m) (bogies)
Maximum speed70 mph (110 km/h)
Weight
  • 41.5 tonnes (40.8 long tons; 45.7 short tons) (Diagram DX501)
  • 40.5 tonnes (39.9 long tons; 44.6 short tons) (Diagram DX502)
Prime mover(s)2 × 230 hp (170 kW) Leyland Albion RE901
Engine typeDiesel
Cylinder count6 (horizontal)
Power output460 hp (340 kW)
TransmissionMechanical
HVACOil burning air heater
UIC classificationBo'Bo'
BogiesDerby
Braking system(s)Vacuum
Safety system(s)AWS
Coupling systemScrew
Multiple working Blue Square
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)


The British Rail Class 128 was a class of diesel multiple unit, built for British Rail. Introduced in 1959, ten of the class were built by Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Company, each with two 230 hp British United Traction - Albion engines. The class was built specifically for parcels, fitted out with parcel racks and bike storage at each end, and did not feature any passenger accommodation. The last members of the class were withdrawn in 1990 and broken up the following year, and none were preserved.

Numbering


Table of orders and numbers
Lot No. Type Diagram Qty Fleet numbers Notes
30551 Gangwayed Motor Parcels Van 643 or DX501 6 W55991–W55996 Worked on the Western Region
30552 Non-gangwayed Motor Parcels Van 644 or DX502 4 M55987–M55990 Worked on the London Midland Region

Livery


Operation


Introduced in 1959, the Class 128s were given the TOPS classification DXV in 1973. By 1978, the initial unit M55987 had been withdrawn, and four of the six units originally intended for use on the Western Region had moved to the Midland Region.

Models


Heljan have produced a 00 scale model in British Railways all over green, Rail Blue and Royal Mail Post Office Red liveries, although these only represent the later version with corridor connection. By 2021 these models were no longer in production.

In 2018, Revolution Trains announced that they are to produce six different variants of the Class 128 in N gauge covering BR green, Rail Blue and RES Red liveries.

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.