British Rail Class 207
Encyclopedia
The British Rail
Class 207 (or 3D) diesel-electric multiple units were built by BR at Eastleigh in 1962.
When new the class were used on the Oxted Line
, and were mostly concentrated on services between and via . Other routes that the units operated included occasional workings on the Marshlink Line
, the Three Bridges to Tunbridge Wells Central Line
and the Cuckoo Line
. Following the closure of the last two of these routes the unit gained workings on the Redhill to Tonbridge Line
, and were known to deputise for 3R
units on the North Downs Line
to . Most units were withdrawn in 1987 following the electrification of the Oxted Line's branch. Four of the seven surviving units were used on the Reading to Basingstoke Line
between 1988 and 1993; once this had finished three were withdrawn and the fourth sent to join the other three survivors on the Marshlink Line; between 1995 and 1998 this included through services from to . After this the class operated on the Marshlink Line between Ashford and and the Oxted Line between London Victoria and for privatised companies Connex South Central
and Southern
. The final three units were withdrawn in August 2004.
Three complete units have been preserved:
In addition, driving motor vehicle from unit 207013 has also been preserved:
The centre trailer from unit 207203 has been at a private location:
Unrefurbished Class 207/0
Refurbished Class 207/1
Refurbished Class 207/2
Departmental Units
British Rail
British Railways , which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was the operator of most of the rail transport in Great Britain between 1948 and 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the "Big Four" British railway companies and lasted until the gradual privatisation of British Rail, in stages...
Class 207 (or 3D) diesel-electric multiple units were built by BR at Eastleigh in 1962.
Technical details
Power car (one per set)- Introduced: 1962
- Weight: 56 tons
- Engine: English Electric 4-cylinder type 4SRKT Mark II of 1000 bhp at 850 rpm (600 shaft hp)
- Transmission: Electric, two English Electric type EE507 traction motors rated at 187 kW (~250 hp) each.
- Maximum tractive effort: 12,500 lbs (55,602 N)
- Driving wheel diameter: 3 in 6 in (1.07 m)
- Coupling code: Standard 'Buck eye' compatible with contemporary Class 20x and 4xx units.
- Train heating: Electric
Operational history
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....
, and were mostly concentrated on services between and via . Other routes that the units operated included occasional workings 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...
, the Three Bridges to Tunbridge Wells Central Line
Three Bridges to Tunbridge Wells Central Line
The Three Bridges to Tunbridge Wells Central Line was a railway line running from Three Bridges in West Sussex to Tunbridge Wells Central in Kent via East Grinstead in East Sussex, a distance of . Opened in 1855, the main section of the line was a casualty of the Beeching Axe the last train ran on...
and the Cuckoo Line
Cuckoo Line
The Cuckoo Line is an informal name for the now defunct railway service which linked Polegate and Eridge in East Sussex, England, from 1880 to 1968. It was nicknamed the Cuckoo Line by drivers, from a tradition observed at the annual fair at Heathfield, a station on the route...
. Following the closure of the last two of these routes the unit gained workings on the Redhill to Tonbridge Line
Redhill to Tonbridge Line
The Redhill to Tonbridge Line is a railway line running from Redhill, Surrey to Tonbridge, Kent in southeast England. It branches off the Brighton Main Line at Redhill station and, after 20 miles, joins the South Eastern Main Line at Tonbridge station....
, and were known to deputise for 3R
British Rail Class 206
The British Rail Class 206 or 3R was a type of Diesel electric multiple unit first created in 1964. They were not 'built' as such but rather re-formed from Class 201 and EPB vehicles for use on -- services...
units on the North Downs Line
North Downs Line
The North Downs Line is the name of the passenger train service connecting Reading, on the Great Western Main Line, to Gatwick Airport, on the Brighton Main Line...
to . Most units were withdrawn in 1987 following the electrification of the Oxted Line's branch. Four of the seven surviving units were used on the Reading to Basingstoke Line
Reading to Basingstoke Line
The Reading to Basingstoke Line is a short railway link between the South Western Main Line and the Great Western Main Line, constructed by the Great Western Railway between 1846 and 1848. The line is served by First Great Western local services between Reading and Basingstoke, which stop at the...
between 1988 and 1993; once this had finished three were withdrawn and the fourth sent to join the other three survivors on the Marshlink Line; between 1995 and 1998 this included through services from to . After this the class operated on the Marshlink Line between Ashford and and the Oxted Line between London Victoria and for privatised companies Connex 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....
and Southern
Southern (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...
. The final three units were withdrawn in August 2004.
Preservation
- 207017 - Spa Valley RailwaySpa Valley RailwayThe Spa Valley Railway is a standard gauge heritage railway that runs between Tunbridge Wells, High Rocks, Groombridge, and Eridge railway station, where it links with the Oxted Line. En route it crosses the Kent and East Sussex border, a distance of 5 miles , along the former Three Bridges to...
(only original 3-car unit) - 207202 - East Lancashire RailwayEast Lancashire RailwayThe East Lancashire Railway is a heritage railway in Lancashire and Greater Manchester, England.-Overview:After formal closure by British Rail in 1982, the line was reopened on 25 July 1987. The initial service operated between Bury and Ramsbottom, via Summerseat. In 1991 the service was extended...
- 207203 - Swindon and Cricklade RailwaySwindon and Cricklade RailwayThe Swindon & Cricklade Railway is a heritage railway in Wiltshire, England, that operates on a short section of the old Midland and South Western Junction Railway line between Swindon and Cricklade.-History:...
(as a 2-car unit)
In addition, driving motor vehicle from unit 207013 has also been preserved:
- 207013 - DMBSO 60138 - Walthamstow Pump House MuseumWalthamstow Pump House MuseumThe Pump House Steam and Transport Museum is a museum in Walthamstow focusing on the pioneering achievements in road, rail, air and sea transport in the River Lea valley from the early 19th century...
The centre trailer from unit 207203 has been at a private location:
- 207203 - TSOL 70547 - Private site, Charlie Hungerford
Fleet details
| Key: | Preserved | Rebuilt | Departmental Use | Scrapped |
|---|
Unrefurbished Class 207/0
| Unit No. | Name | Final livery | DMBSO | TCsoL | DTSO | Withdrawn | Status | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New | Old | ||||||||||
| 207001 | 1301 | - | NSE | 60126 | 60600 | 60900 | 1994 | Scrapped | |||
| 207002 | 1302 | - | NSE | 60127 | 60601 | 60901 | 1992 | Converted to 207103 | |||
| 207003 | 1303 | - | Blue/Grey | 60128 | 60602 | 60902 | ? | Scrapped | |||
| 207004 | 1304 | - | NSE | 60129 | 60603 | 60903 | 1992 | Converted to 207101 | |||
| 207005 | 1305 | - | NSE | 60130 | 60604 | 60904 | 1992 | Converted to 207102 | |||
| 207006 | 1306 | - | Blue/Grey | 60131 | 60605 | 60905 | ? | Scrapped | |||
| 207007 | 1307 | - | Blue/Grey | 60132 | 60606 | 60906 | ? | Scrapped | |||
| 207008 | 1308 | - | Blue/Grey | 60133 | 60607 | 60907 | ? | Scrapped | |||
| 207009 | 1309 | - | Blue/Grey | 60134 | 60608 | 60908 | ? | Scrapped | |||
| 207010 | 1310 | - | NSE | 60135 | 60609 | 60909 | 03/1994 | Tractor unit 951070 British Rail Class 951 The British Rail Class 951 was reserved for former diesel-electric multiple units converted for departmental use. Units were converted for various tasks, including application of sandite, de-icing duties, and use as tractor units to tow other trains... |
|||
| 207011 | 1311 | - | NSE | 60136 | 60610 | 60910 | 05/1990 | Sandite unit 1068 British Rail Class 951 The British Rail Class 951 was reserved for former diesel-electric multiple units converted for departmental use. Units were converted for various tasks, including application of sandite, de-icing duties, and use as tractor units to tow other trains... |
|||
| 207012 | 1312 | - | Blue/Grey | 60137 | 60611 | 60911 | ? | Scrapped | |||
| 207013 | 1313 | - | NSE | 60138 | 60612 | 60912 | 03/1994 | Tractor unit 951070 British Rail Class 951 The British Rail Class 951 was reserved for former diesel-electric multiple units converted for departmental use. Units were converted for various tasks, including application of sandite, de-icing duties, and use as tractor units to tow other trains... |
|||
| 207014 | 1314 | - | NSE | 60139 | 60613 | 60913 | 05/1990 | Sandite unit 1068 British Rail Class 951 The British Rail Class 951 was reserved for former diesel-electric multiple units converted for departmental use. Units were converted for various tasks, including application of sandite, de-icing duties, and use as tractor units to tow other trains... |
|||
| 207015 | 1315 | - | Blue/Grey | 60140 | 60614 | 60914 | Oct 1987 | Scrapped | |||
| 207016 | 1316 | - | Blue/Grey | 60141 | 60615 | 60915 | Oct 1987 | Scrapped | |||
| 207017 | 1317 | - | Connex | 60142 | 60616 | 60916 | 03/2004 | Preserved | |||
| 207018 | 1318 | - | Blue/Grey | 60143 | 60617 | 60917 | ? | Scrapped | |||
| 207019 | 1319 | - | Blue/Grey | 60144 | 60618 | 60918 | ? | Scrapped | |||
Refurbished Class 207/1
| Unit No. | Name | Final livery | DMBSO | DTSO | Withdrawn | Status | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 207101 | 207004 | Ashford Fayre | NSE | 60129 | 60903 | 1995 | Converted to 207201 | ||||
| 207102 | 207005 | Brighton Royal Pavilion | NSE | 60130 | 60904 | 1995 | Converted to 207202 | ||||
| 207103 | 207002 | - | NSE | 60127 | 60901 | 1995 | Converted to 207203 | ||||
Refurbished Class 207/2
| Unit No. | Name | Final livery | DMBSO | TSOL | DTSO | Withdrawn | Status | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 207201 | 207101 | Ashford Fayre | Connex | 60129 | 70286 | 60903 | 2003 | Scrapped | |||
| 207202 | 207102 | Brighton Royal Pavilion | Connex | 60130 | 70549 | 60904 | 08/2004 | Preserved | |||
| 207203 | 207103 | - | Connex | 60127 | 70547 | 60901 | 08/2004 | Preserved | |||
Departmental Units
| Unit No. | Final livery | DMB | T | DMB (DT*) | Withdrawn | Status | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | 1068 British Rail Class 951 The British Rail Class 951 was reserved for former diesel-electric multiple units converted for departmental use. Units were converted for various tasks, including application of sandite, de-icing duties, and use as tractor units to tow other trains... |
NSE | 977700 (ex-60139) | 977696 (ex-60522 British Rail Class 202 The British Rail Class 202 diesel-electric multiple units were built from 1957-58 at Eastleigh and Ashford Works. These units were built to work the London Charing Cross to Hastings services... ) |
977701* (ex-60910) | 1992 | Scrapped | |||
| 951070 British Rail Class 951 The British Rail Class 951 was reserved for former diesel-electric multiple units converted for departmental use. Units were converted for various tasks, including application of sandite, de-icing duties, and use as tractor units to tow other trains... |
1070 British Rail Class 951 The British Rail Class 951 was reserved for former diesel-electric multiple units converted for departmental use. Units were converted for various tasks, including application of sandite, de-icing duties, and use as tractor units to tow other trains... |
NSE | 977906 (ex-60135) | - | 977907 (ex-60138) | 1998 | Preserved | |||