British Diesels and Electrics: April 2022

Class 769 Flex

In the mid-2010s there was a need for diesel multiple units to replace life-expired stock such as the Pacer family but (at the time) little chance of new DMUs being built. Instead, Porterbrook in conjunction with Northern, sought to fill the gap with converting surplus Class 319 electric multiple units into bi-mode multiple units with diesel power packs. The result was the Class 769 Flex which retains it's EMU systems (indeed the two diesels feed power into the unit's existing traction system) and so can take it's power from electrified lines where available.

GWR 769 959 on test at Guildford

Information
Number built:	36 (Conversions from Class 319)
Built:	2017-21 (Original build 1987-90)
Builder:	Brush Traction (conversions)
Motor:	2 MAN D2876 diesels
Power:	1, 046 hp (780 kW)

Work began at Brush's Loughborough Works in 2017 with Class 769s ordered by Northern, Transport for Wales and Great Western Railway (their examples will be "tri-mode" as they will be able to take their power from overhead and third rail). Testing of the first example began in 2018 however, the development of the trains has not been trouble free and has had numerous delays and reliability problems. Northern hoped to start using their Class 769s in 2019 but this was delayed until 2021. Transport for Wales' units entered service in 2020 though have not been without technical issues. GWR hopes to start using their 769s before the end of 2022.

A parcel carrying version of the unit is the Class 768.

769 959 departs on test

London Underground Q38 Stock

In the 1930s the London Underground's District Line converted older G Stock to have air operated doors, these were re-designated Q Stock. New motor cars and trailers were also built to operate with the older stock as the Q38. Twenty five Driving Motors and 183 trailers were built, these were similar to the previously built O and P Stocks with a flared skirt on the sides. The trailers has driver cab doors at one end for possible future conversion to DM in future. In service these operated with older Q Stock which didn't have these flares and had clerestory roofs which gave the trains a strange appearance.

A preserved DM at LT Museum Acton

Information
Number built:	208
Built:	1938-40
Builder:	Gloucester Railway Carriage & Wagon Company
Motor:	DC traction motors

After the Second World War most of the Q38 trailers were rebuilt for use with R Stock and known as R38. Some trailers were also converted for use with CO / CP Stock. The rest of the Q Stock remained in use on the East London Line until 1971. Two Driving Motors have been preserved.

Preserved DM 4417, the flare at the bottom of the sides can be clearly seen

[1] Brian Hardy, Surface Stock 1933-1959 (Capital Transport, 2002) p. 55

Class 390 Pendolino

The Class 390 replaced locomotive hauled services out of London Euston following the modernisation of the West Coast Main Line at the turn of the century [1]. The trains incorporate tilting technology which have allowed speeds on the WCML to be increased to 125mp/h. The Class 390, known as the Pendolino, is capable of 140 mp/h but signalling and line restrictions have meant that service speeds are limited.

Avanti WC 390 049 passes through Rugeley Trent Valley

Information
Number built:	574 cars (57 9 and 11 car sets)
Built:	2001-12
Builder:	Alstom (Washwood Heath and Italy)
Motor:	2 Alstom ONIX 800 traction motors per motor car (25kV AC OHLE)
Power:	390/0: 6 ,839 hp (5 ,100 kW) 390/1: 8, 763 hp (6, 557 kW)
Formation:	390/0: Driving Motor Restaurant First (DMRF)+Motor First (MF)+ Pantograph Trailer First (PTF)+Motor Standard (MS)+ Trailer Standard (TS)+MS+Pantograph Trailer Standard Restaurant Buffet (PTSRMS)+MS+ Driving Motor Standard Open (DMSO) 390/1: DMRF+MF+PTF+MF+TS+MS+TS+MS+PTSRMS+ MS+DMSO

The original order was for fifty-three 8-car sets, these were later strengthened to 9-cars and a number of 11-car sets have also been built to try and meet an increase in demand on the WCML.

All sets are in daily service apart from one set which was written off in the Grayrigg fatal rail derailment in 2007 [2]. Demonstrated by the crash, the strength of the train was commended with it having improved crashworthiness compared to earlier trains. All Class 390s were operated by Virgin Trains until the franchise changed to Avanti West Coast in 2019.

390 050 at Aston

390 136 at Stoke-on-Trent

Passing through Sandwell & Dudley

390 165 at Rugeley Trent Valley

390 016 at Aston

[1] Colin J. Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition (Ian Allan, 2013) p. 296
[2] RAIB Report, Derailment at Grayrigg <https://www.gov.uk/raib-reports/derailment-at-grayrigg>

Rolls-Royce Sentinel Steelman

Sentinel was acquired by Rolls Royce in 1957. Rolls Royce initially intended only to build engines at the factory but in the end continued production of Sentinel's successful series of diesel shunters for industrial users. The Steelman was a more powerful machine developed in the late 1960s. Unfortunately for the Steelman it's arrival on the market coincided with the availability of nearly new Class 14s being sold by British Rail at cheap prices for industrial use which put paid to a number of potential sales.

10275 at Shottle

Information for 10275
Number built:	1
Built:	1969
Builder:	Rolls Royce Sentinel
Motor:	Rolls Royce DV82 diesel
Power:	608 hp (453 kW)
Wheel arrangement:	6wDH

Locomotive 10275 was operated by British Steel at Gretton Brook until 1980 [1]. It was later operated by Bombardier before arriving at the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway in 2009.

10275 hauls engineering trains on the EVR

[1] Ray King, British Industrial Diesel Locomotives (Traction & Rolling Stock Advertiser, 2006) p. 32

Sheffield Corporation Improved Standard Car

The Improved Standard Car was a development of the Sheffield Corporation's Standard Car. These tram cars had a more streamlined look than their predecessors, they are also known as "Domed roof" cars. Apart from the improved styling and upper decks, with better lighting and seats, the tram cars shared much with the earlier trams.

264 preserved at Crich

Information
Number built:	67
Built:	1936-9
Builder:	Sheffield Corporation Transport
Motor:	2 x Metropolitan Vickers 102DR electric motors (DC OHLE)
Power:	100 hp (759 kW)

These trams continued in service until the last day of the Sheffield Corporation tramway in October 1960. One has been preserved.

Another view of 264

Despite improvements the trams still lacked platform doors

Class 376 Electrostar

The Class 376 is part of the huge Electrostar family of electric multiple units built to replace life-expired slam door stock on the former Southern Region's third rail network. The Class 376 is based on the Class 375 though has a number of differences, most notably the lack of front gangway doors.

Southeastern 376 009 at Catford Bridge

Information
Number built:	180 (36 5-car sets)
Built:	2004-05
Builder:	Bombardier
Engine:	8 Bombardier traction motors (750v DC third rail)
Power:	2, 682 hp (2, 000 kW)
Formation:	Driving Motor Standard Open (DMSO)+Motor Standard Open (MSO)+Trailer Standard Open (TSO)+MSO+DMSO

The Class 376 was designed for high-volume inner suburban routes between London and Kent [1]. The 376 has wider metro-style sliding doors to help speed up passenger loading and unloading (and thus reduce dwell times). All are currently operated by Southeastern.