These diesel locomotives were built by English Electric for the Malaysian Railways (Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad) in 1957. They were the first main line diesel locomotives to be introduced in Malaysia. They were used for the main passenger express services but also could be used on some freights. They had a bonnet nose like other English Electric diesel locomotives such as the Classes 37 and 40though had the same engine which was fitted to re-engined Class 31s! The locomotives were built for metre gauge.
A Class 20 on delivery (right), with it is another EE built loco, a class 15 shunter [1]
Information
Number built:
26
Built:
1957
Builder:
English Electric Vulcan Foundry
Motor:
English Electric 12SVT diesel
Power:
1, 500 hp (1, 119 kW)
Wheel arrangement:
Co-Co
The locomotives were withdrawn from services in the late 1980s. One has been preserved.
[1] "Export orders", Board of Trade Journal Vol. 199 Issue 3831 (19 August 1970) p. 416
The Class 323 is a fleet of high-density electric multiple units (EMUs) built in the early 1990s for British Rail. They were built to replace older EMUs coming to the ends of their lives and to supply the Birmingham Cross-City Line, which was finally being electrified with new rolling stock [1]. Forty three three-car units were built by Hunslet Transportation Projects during 1992-3 for the Cross City Line and for the North West for services to Manchester Airport.
West Midland Railway 323 204 at Bromsgrove
Information
Number built:
129 (43 3-car sets)
Built:
1992-93
Builder:
Hunslet TPL
Motor:
4 Holec DMKT 52/24 traction motors (25kV AC OHLE)
Power:
1, 566 hp (1, 168 kW)
Formation:
Driving Motor Standard Open (DMSO)+Pantograph Trailer
Standard Open Lavatory (PTSOL)+DMSO
The Class 323 proved unreliable when first delivered, the traction package causing a number of problems especially with cooling. It was a couple of years after delivery before they became fully operational. Later on however, Northern's fleet won awards for its reliability.
Twenty six sets currently serve with West Midlands Railway (previously London Midland) and seventeen with Northern Rail, operating on electrified commuter lines around Birmingham and Manchester. The EMUs have completed a retractioning programme replacing the original Gate Turn-Off thyristor equipment with a more advanced Integrated Gate Bipolar Transistor set-up [2].
West Midlands Railway's 323s are due for replacement from 2024 by the Class 730, part of the Bombardier Aventra family, some of the sets are moving to Northern to strengthen their fleet. The Northern fleet is meanwhile being refurbished with LED lighting, new passenger information screens and an accessibility compliant toilet [3].
Northern 323 239 arrives at Holmes Chapel
Back in London Midland days, 323 220 at Lichfield Trent Valley
WMR 323 205 at Chester Road
Aboard a WMR 323
Northern 323 234 at Sandbach
[1] Colin J. Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition (Ian Allan, 2013) p. 262 [2] Ian Walmsley, "A traction heart transplant", Modern Railways (March 2017) p. 43 [3] "First refurbished 323 for Northern", Modern Railways (December 2019) p. 84
The Class 172 diesel multiple unit is a member of the Turbostar family (which also includes the Classes 170 and 171). It is similar to the Class 170 but has diesel-mechanical transmission and a more austere interior to suit inner-suburban routes. They also have lighter bogies than other Turbostars.
WMR 172 214 arrives at Old Hill
Information
Number built:
117 (39 2 or 3 car sets)
Built:
2010-11
Builder:
Bombardier Derby
Engine:
MTU 6H1800R83 diesel per vehicle
Power:
968hp (720kW) / 1, 449hp (1, 080kW)
Formation:
Driving Motor Standard (DMS)+DMS or
DMS+Driving Motor Standard Lavatory (DMSL) or
DMSL+Motor Standard (MS)+DMS
They were ordered for London Overground, Chiltern Railways and London Midland (now West Midlands Railway). [1] The London Overground sets (Class 172/0) were cascaded to West Midlands Railway once electrification of the Gospel Oak-Barking Line which they operated on was completed. Chiltern's 172s (Class 172/1) were also transferred to strengthen the West Midlands Railway fleet, so all Class 172s are now operated by the same company.
The 172/3s are 3-car sets with the other sub-classes being 2-car. Most Class 172s have gangway doors (like most Electrostars) though some have a standard Class 170 style Turbostar front-end.
In London Midland days, 172 335 arrives at Earlswood
Inside a WMR 172
172 337 at Acocks Green
172 008 (ex-London Overground) at Nuneaton
172 218 at Wilmcote
[1] Colin J Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition Guide (Ian Allan, 2013) p. 162
