The Class 170 Turbostar was one of the largest fleets of new generation diesel multiple units which was built post-privatisation. The Class 170 typically operates on regional and long-distance (cross country) services and is a development of the Class 168 Clubman diesel multiple unit [1]. Indeed later built 168s and 170s have a very close resemblance (some Class 170s have been re-classified as Class 168/3s). The follow-on Turbostar DMUs Classes 171 and 172 also look near identical, meaning the Turbostar "look" is a very common one on British rails.
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| ScotRail 170 403 at Nairn |
| Information | |
|---|---|
| Number built: | 331 (122 2 and 3-car sets) |
| Built: | 1998-2005 |
| Builder: | ABB Derby / Bombardier Derby |
| Motor: | MTU 6R 183TD13H diesel per car |
| Power: | 1, 266 hp (945 kW) / 844 hp (630 kW) |
| Formation: | Typically Driving Motor Standard Lavatory (DMSL)+Motor Standard (MS)+Driving Motor Composite Lavatory (DMCL) or DMSL+DMCL (170/3): DMCL+Motor Standard Lavatory Restaurant Buffet (MSLRB)+DMSL (170/4): DMCL+MS+DMCL |
The Class 170 is used throughout the rail network, operated by ScotRail, Cross Country, Transport for Wales and East Midlands Railway. Previous operators include South West Trains [2], West Midlands Railway, Hull Trains and First TransPennine Express.
There are a number of sub-classes though all share the same specification and equipment. The differences being in seating arrangements.
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| Cross Country 170 521 and friend at Melton Mowbray |
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| Transport for Wales 170 203 at Gloucester |
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| East Midlands Railway 170 419 passes through Spondon |
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| Cross Country 170 116 at Beeston |
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| EMR 170 417 approaches Barrow-upon-Soar |
[1] Colin J Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition Guide (Ian Allan, 2013) p. 154
[2] John Balmforth, South West Trains (Ian Allan, 2011) p. 58