Class 101 (Metropolitan-Cammell General Branch Line and Local Services 2,3 or 4-car)

The Class 101 family was the largest fleet of first generation Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) built for British Railways in the 1950s, however originally only the AEC engined DMBS and DMCL were originally classified as Class 101. Leyland engined motor cars were originally classified as the Class 102, the DTCLs were Class 144/147, the TSLs Class 162/164, the TBSLs Class 168 and the TCLs Class 171! [1]

DMBS E50253 at Duffield

Later on the various cars were reclassified as just Class 101. The DMU could operate in either two, three or four car sets with interchangeable trailers (and with trailers in other classes) depending on the needs of the service and served all over the BR network allocated to every region except the Southern [2].

Information
Number built:	637 cars in 2- 3- and 4-car sets
Built:	1956-59
Builder:	Metro-Cammell
Engine:	2 BUT (AEC) or Leyland 6-cyl (Class 102) diesels per power car Some DMBS originally fitted with Rolls-Royce diesels
Power:	300 hp (224 kW)
Formation:	(Variable) Driving Motor Brake Standard (DMBS)+[Trailer Brake Standard (TBS)/Trailer Standard Lavatory (TSL)/Trailer Composite Lavatory (TCL)/Trailer Brake Second Lavatory (TBSL)]+Driving Motor Composite Lavatory (DMCL)/Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory (DTCL)

The Class 101 was one of the longest lived first generation DMUs, surviving in service until 2003 [3]. In later years many of the trailers lost their first class accommodation and were reclassified as TSLs. Some trailers also originally had buffet facilities but these later had the buffets removed and/or were withdrawn.

Originally the Class 101s were delivered in British Railways green then later BR Blue and the blue/grey white/blue variations in the 1970s. In later years the Class 101s wore sector liveries (Network SE and Regional Railways) as well as various PTE liveries. Over forty cars have been preserved although only two of these are centre car trailers. A sister class of Rolls-Royce powered DMUs was also built as the Class 111 (though a couple of 101 power cars did have Rolls-Royce engines too!)

M51188 departs Wirksworth

At Wirksworth 

DMBS 51188 and DMC 51505 at Wirksworth

M51188 at Ravenstor

At Duffield

[1] Colin J. Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition Guide (Ian Allan, 2013), p. 36
[2] Brian Haresnape, Diesel Multiple Units: the First Generation (Ian Allan, 1985), p. 31
[3] Gavin Morrison, British Railway DMUs in Colour (Ian Allan, 2010), p. 13