British Rail Class 171
Encyclopedia
The Class 171 Turbostar
is a type of diesel multiple unit
(DMU) built by Bombardier Transportation
(previously ADtranz
) at their Litchurch Lane Works
in Derby
, England
which is identical to the Class 170, except for the replacement of the BSI (Bergische Stahl Industrie) coupler with a Dellner coupler. This provision was made to allow emergency joining with Class 377
DC third-rail electric units. The vehicles work on the southern regions of the British railway system.
Southern gained 170 392 from South West Trains
. The coupler on this unit has also been changed to the Dellner type. The unit has been reclassified and renumbered from 170 392 to 171 730. Ironically this unit was first delivered carrying Southern livery and the number 170 727 (this was due to the fact SWT needed another 170 and it was cheaper to place another unit on the Southern order than place a new order). It never operated in this form and transferred to South West Trains where it became 170 392.
171 730 is unique regarding its seating as it has four more seats than all other 171/7 units, totalling 111 seats.
These trains have electronic automated station announcements and onboard displays unlike their predecessors.
(previously named South Central
) acquired an initial fleet of six 2-car Class 171/7 and six 4-car Class 171/8 units, to replace its ageing Class 205
and Class 207
"Thumper" fleet.
The first units were introduced in 2003 on Ashford
to "Marshlink Line
" (now running further to ). Later services on the to branch of the Oxted Line
were also transferred to Turbostar operation. The services from London Bridge
to Uckfield went over to Turbostar operation in late 2004.
The 2 Car Class 171/7 run the Brighton to Ashford International service via Lewes, Eastbourne and Hastings, whereas the 4 Car 171/8 (and remaining 171/7 2 Cars) run the London Bridge to Uckfield via Oxted service. The 4 Car units occasionally appear on the Marshlink Line
during special events such as the Rye Bonfire celebrations.
Turbostar
Turbostar is the name given to a family of diesel multiple units built by Bombardier Transportation at their Litchurch Lane Works in Derby, England...
is a type of diesel multiple unit
Diesel multiple unit
A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:...
(DMU) built by Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany....
(previously ADtranz
Adtranz
ABB Daimler-Benz Transportation , commonly known under its brand Adtranz, was a multi-national rail transport equipment manufacturer with facilities concentrated in Europe and the USA....
) at their Litchurch Lane Works
Derby Carriage and Wagon Works
Derby Carriage and Wagon Works was built by the Midland Railway in Derby, England. The plant has been through many changes of ownership and is currently owned by Bombardier Transportation, a subsidiary of Bombardier Inc. of Canada. As of 2011 it is the only remaining passenger rolling stock...
in Derby
Derby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
which is identical to the Class 170, except for the replacement of the BSI (Bergische Stahl Industrie) coupler with a Dellner coupler. This provision was made to allow emergency joining with Class 377
British Rail Class 377
The Class 377 Electrostar is an electric multiple unit type built by Bombardier Transportation at their Derby Works, from 2001 to present. The Electrostar family, which also includes Classes 357, 375, 376, 378, and 379, is the most numerous type of EMU built in the post-privatisation period of...
DC third-rail electric units. The vehicles work on the southern regions of the British railway system.
Design
The Southern fleet are fitted with coupling devices (Dellner) different from other Turbostars, and are classified as Class 171 for this reason. The four-car units were built with the new couplers, but Class 170 two car units were fitted at a later date, and reclassified as Class 171/7 after the modification. Three more two-car units were later acquired, but these were built from new with the new couplers.Southern gained 170 392 from South West Trains
South West Trains
South West Trains is a British train operating company providing, under franchise, passenger rail services, mostly out of Waterloo station, to the southwest of London in the suburbs and in the counties of Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset, Devon, Somerset, Berkshire, and Wiltshire and on the Isle of Wight...
. The coupler on this unit has also been changed to the Dellner type. The unit has been reclassified and renumbered from 170 392 to 171 730. Ironically this unit was first delivered carrying Southern livery and the number 170 727 (this was due to the fact SWT needed another 170 and it was cheaper to place another unit on the Southern order than place a new order). It never operated in this form and transferred to South West Trains where it became 170 392.
171 730 is unique regarding its seating as it has four more seats than all other 171/7 units, totalling 111 seats.
These trains have electronic automated station announcements and onboard displays unlike their predecessors.
Operations
SouthernSouthern (train operating company)
Southern is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. Officially named Southern Railway Ltd., it is a subsidiary of Govia, a joint venture between transport groups Go-Ahead Group and Keolis, and has operated the South Central rail franchise since October 2000 and the Gatwick Express service...
(previously named South Central
Connex South Central
Connex South Central was a short-lived train operating company in the United Kingdom. It was owned by the Connex Group, and operated under the Connex brand between October 1996 until mid-2001....
) acquired an initial fleet of six 2-car Class 171/7 and six 4-car Class 171/8 units, to replace its ageing Class 205
British Rail Class 205
The British Rail Class 205 diesel-electric multiple units were built by BR at Eastleigh from 1957–1962. They were replaced by Turbostar units.-Description:This class of unit were built in four different batches for use on different lines....
and Class 207
British Rail Class 207
The British Rail Class 207 diesel-electric multiple units were built by BR at Eastleigh in 1962.-Technical details:Power car * Introduced: 1962* Weight: 56 tons...
"Thumper" fleet.
The first units were introduced in 2003 on Ashford
Ashford International railway station
Ashford International railway station serves Ashford in Kent, England. Services are provided by Southeastern, Southern and Eurostar.International services use platforms 3 & 4, whilst domestic trains use the original platforms 1 & 2, and a new island built when the Channel Tunnel opened...
to "Marshlink Line
Marshlink Line
The Marshlink Line is the name given to services on the railway line linking Ashford with Hastings in the South East of England. The line was part of an original proposal by a company named the Brighton Lewes and Hastings Railway to extend its coast route to Hastings...
" (now running further to ). Later services on the to branch of the Oxted Line
Oxted Line
The Oxted Line is a railway line in southern England. It was originally operated jointly by the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway and the South Eastern Railway. It is now part of the Southern franchise....
were also transferred to Turbostar operation. The services from London Bridge
London Bridge station
London Bridge railway station is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex in the London Borough of Southwark, occupying a large area on two levels immediately south-east of London Bridge and 1.6 miles east of Charing Cross. It is one of the oldest railway stations in the...
to Uckfield went over to Turbostar operation in late 2004.
The 2 Car Class 171/7 run the Brighton to Ashford International service via Lewes, Eastbourne and Hastings, whereas the 4 Car 171/8 (and remaining 171/7 2 Cars) run the London Bridge to Uckfield via Oxted service. The 4 Car units occasionally appear on the Marshlink Line
Marshlink Line
The Marshlink Line is the name given to services on the railway line linking Ashford with Hastings in the South East of England. The line was part of an original proposal by a company named the Brighton Lewes and Hastings Railway to extend its coast route to Hastings...
during special events such as the Rye Bonfire celebrations.
Fleet details
| Class | Operator | Number built | Year built | Cars per set | Unit nos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 171/7 | Southern | 10 | 2003–2004 | 2 | 171 721 - 171 730 |
| Class 171/8 | 6 | 2004 | 4 | 171 801 - 171 806 |