British Rail Class 210
Encyclopedia
The British Rail Class 210 was a type of diesel-electric multiple unit (DEMU) built in the late 1970s. The class was intended to be a modern replacement for the ageing 'first generation' types in use on the Southern Region of British Railways
(classes 201
to 207
) but the prototypes built did not manage to secure production for the class and they were withdrawn in the 1980s.
EMUs, but half of the forward carriage was taken up by the engine room. Power was provided by an above-floor diesel engine driving a generator to power traction motors on the axles. A single engine was fitted at one end of the train, and the trains operated in a push-pull configuration
.
A total of seven individual vehicles were built, which were formed into two trains, 210001 (four car set) and 210002 (three car set). Set 210001 was an outer-suburban version, with first and second class seating, toilets and a luggage van. Set 210002 was an inner-suburban version provided with high-density second class seating only. The vehicles were initially given numbers in the DMU series (5xxxx) but quickly renumbered into the DEMU series (6xxxx).
set). From 1983 to 1985 they operated in the London area of the Western Region
: 210001 was based at Reading DMU Depot and operated between , and , while 210002 was based at Southall Depot and operated between Paddington and .
In the end they were judged too complex, and their remit was filled by the Class 150
family of Sprinter units, which, like the Class 210 (and the Class 317, Class 318
and Class 455
EMUs), were based on the Mark 3
coach bodyshell. This is known as the "Mark 3-derived family."
The cars led different lives after BR. The two driving trailers (and the intermediate trailer of the three car set together with one trailer from the four car set) were used in the Class 457
Networker development train. Both the driving cars subsequently passed to the Suburban Electric Railway Association
but one was subsequently transferred to HSBC Rail
(potentially for future use in a Class 455
set). There was a plan for a driving motor to be saved also but, after their storage at Eastleigh for many years (still in blue & grey livery), both driving motors were scrapped in 2003.
One of the TSOs is currently in class 455 set 455912 and the other two have been scrapped.
A Class 210 DEMU appears in the music video of the 1984 hit Smalltown Boy
by Bronski Beat
.
Southern Region of British Railways
The Southern Region was a region of British Railways from 1948. The region ceased to be an operating unit in its own right in the 1980s and was wound up at the end of 1992. The region covered south London, southern England and the south coast, including the busy commuter belt areas of Kent, Sussex...
(classes 201
British Rail Class 201
The British Rail Class 201 six-car diesel-electric multiple units were built in 1957-1958 at Eastleigh and Ashford. They were built for use on the London-Hastings line...
to 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...
) but the prototypes built did not manage to secure production for the class and they were withdrawn in the 1980s.
Design
The class were externally very similar to the first batch of Class 317British Rail Class 317
The British Rail Class 317 alternating current electric multiple units were built by BREL York in two batches, from 1981-82 and 1985-87. They were the first of several classes of British Rail EMU to be based on the all-steel Mark 3 bodyshell, departing from the "PEP"-aluminium design which had...
EMUs, but half of the forward carriage was taken up by the engine room. Power was provided by an above-floor diesel engine driving a generator to power traction motors on the axles. A single engine was fitted at one end of the train, and the trains operated in a push-pull configuration
Push-pull train
Push–pull is a mode of operation for locomotive-hauled trains allowing them to be driven from either end.A push–pull train has a locomotive at one end of the train, connected via some form of remote control, such as multiple-unit train control, to a vehicle equipped with a control cab at the other...
.
A total of seven individual vehicles were built, which were formed into two trains, 210001 (four car set) and 210002 (three car set). Set 210001 was an outer-suburban version, with first and second class seating, toilets and a luggage van. Set 210002 was an inner-suburban version provided with high-density second class seating only. The vehicles were initially given numbers in the DMU series (5xxxx) but quickly renumbered into the DEMU series (6xxxx).
Operation
Sets 210001 and 210002 operated in various parts of the country on trial (as did the prototype railbuses, both the single cars and the Class 140British Rail Class 140
The British Rail Class 140 was the prototype of the Pacer diesel multiple unit. Much of the bodywork was constructed using Leyland National bus components, with the exception of the cabs, in 1980....
set). From 1983 to 1985 they operated in the London area of the Western Region
Western Region of British Railways
The Western Region was a region of British Railways from 1948. The region ceased to be an operating unit in its own right in the 1980s and was wound up at the end of 1992...
: 210001 was based at Reading DMU Depot and operated between , and , while 210002 was based at Southall Depot and operated between Paddington and .
In the end they were judged too complex, and their remit was filled by the Class 150
British Rail Class 150
The British Rail Class 150 "Sprinter" diesel multiple units were built by BREL from 1984-87. A total of 137 units were built in three main subclasses, replacing many of the earlier first-generation "Heritage" DMUs.- Background :...
family of Sprinter units, which, like the Class 210 (and the Class 317, Class 318
British Rail Class 318
The British Rail Class 318 is an electric multiple unit train, which operates exclusively in the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport network in West Central Scotland. The units were introduced fully on 29 September 1986 as part of the electrification of the Ayrshire Coast Line between and...
and Class 455
British Rail Class 455
The British Rail Class 455 is a type of electric multiple unit drawing power from a 750 V DC third rail. Built by BREL at York works in the early and mid-1980s, they were initially categorised as Class 510 as the successor to the Class 508...
EMUs), were based on the Mark 3
British Rail Mark 3
British Rail's third design of standard carriage was designated 'Mark 3' , and was developed primarily for the InterCity 125 High Speed Train...
coach bodyshell. This is known as the "Mark 3-derived family."
The cars led different lives after BR. The two driving trailers (and the intermediate trailer of the three car set together with one trailer from the four car set) were used in the Class 457
British Rail Class 457
Class 316 and Class 457 were TOPS classifications assigned to a single electric multiple unit at different stages of its use as a prototype for the Networker series.-Project:...
Networker development train. Both the driving cars subsequently passed to the Suburban Electric Railway Association
Coventry Railway Centre
The Electric Railway Museum is located in Warwickshire, south of Coventry city, outside Baginton, and near to Coventry Airport. The heritage railway centre was also known as "The Airfield Line" as the railway was built on the site of a greenfield...
but one was subsequently transferred to HSBC Rail
HSBC Rail
Eversholt Rail Group is one of the three major ROSCOs in the United Kingdom...
(potentially for future use in a Class 455
British Rail Class 455
The British Rail Class 455 is a type of electric multiple unit drawing power from a 750 V DC third rail. Built by BREL at York works in the early and mid-1980s, they were initially categorised as Class 510 as the successor to the Class 508...
set). There was a plan for a driving motor to be saved also but, after their storage at Eastleigh for many years (still in blue & grey livery), both driving motors were scrapped in 2003.
One of the TSOs is currently in class 455 set 455912 and the other two have been scrapped.
A Class 210 DEMU appears in the music video of the 1984 hit Smalltown Boy
Smalltown Boy
"Smalltown Boy" is the debut single of the British synthpop group Bronski Beat, released in June 1984. It would also appear on the band's debut album The Age of Consent, released in December 1984....
by Bronski Beat
Bronski Beat
Bronski Beat were a popular British synthpop trio who achieved success in the mid 1980s, particularly with the 1984 chart hit "Smalltown Boy". All members of the group were openly homosexual and their songs reflected this, often containing political commentary on gay-related issues...
.
Technical details
| Unit | Introduced | Weight of Power Car | Engine | Transmission | Max Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 210 001 | 1981 | 63.0t | Paxman Paxman (engines) Paxman is a major British brand of diesel engines. Ownership has changed on a number of occasions since the company's formation in 1865, and now the brand is owned by MAN SE, as part of MAN Diesel & Turbo. At its peak, the Paxman works covered 23 acres and employed over 2,000 people. Engine... 6RP200L of 1,125 bhp (840KW) |
Electric | 90mph |
| 210 002 | 1981 | 64.5t | MTU MTU Friedrichshafen MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH is a manufacturer of commercial internal combustion engines founded by Wilhelm Maybach and his son Karl Maybach in 1909... 12V396 TC 11 of 1,140 bhp (850 KW) |
Electric | 90mph |
| Unit Number | DMBSO | TSO | TCO(L) | DTSO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 210 001 | 60201 | 60401 | 60450 | 60300 |
| 210 002 | 60200 | 60400 | - | 60301 |