UTA MPD
Encyclopedia
The Ulster Transport Authority Multi-Purpose Diesel (UTA MPD) was a diesel powered railcar, used in Northern Ireland
. It was developed by the Ulster Transport Authority
(UTA) as a progression of the earlier Multi-engined Diesel
(MED). The MED concept, while suitable for short commuter links, was not considered so for the Northern Counties Committee
section, with its main line from Belfast
to Derry
where speeds of up to 110 km/h (70 mph). were required. A new railcar development was needed, and the MED was superseded by the MPD).
The "new" trains, just as with the earlier MEDs, were converted from existing locomotive-hauled stock. These became known as Multi-purpose Diesel (MPD) railcars and were built between 1957 and 1962. The first 10 power cars being intended for the Derry line trains, with the others being for the Belfast local services. The power cars were originally fitted with a 275 h.p. Leyland engine, mounted beneath the chassis and driving both axles on the rear bogie through a torque converter. However problems were encountered with these engines and, in the mid - 1960’s, it was decided to re - engine 12 cars with 260 h.p. AEC
engines and a further 17 with 275 h.p. engines from Rolls Royce
.
The Belfast - Derry express services, for which the first 10 MPDs were built, called for a high power / weight ratio and, on occasion, saw the five-coach train formation made up of four power cars with a restaurant car. On local services the power cars operated with trailers.
The loss of one of the power cars came about when No. 58 suffered a collision with a motor vehicle on a level crossing in July 1958, the MPD was written off, after just six weeks in service.
The power cars numbered 46 to 53, inclusive, were originally non-gangwayed but were rebuilt on their works visits between 1968 and 1970. The last of the single-cab power cars was withdrawn in 1981, the double-cab vehicles lasting a little longer, Nos. 63 and 65 withdrawn in 1981, No.64 in 1983.
There were 18 trailer cars numbered between 529 and 550
529-534,540,541,542 gangwayed driving trailers with cab at one end
535-539 and 543 non gangwayed driving trailers with cab at one end
rebuilt as gangwayed non driving trailers 1968-1970
548 549 550 buffet cars
548 could also work with 70 class sets
550 was converted to a 70 class car in 1966
, whereupon it regained its original UTA number, 87, and was pained in LMS NCC
livery.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. It was developed by the Ulster Transport Authority
Ulster Transport Authority
The Ulster Transport Authority ran rail and bus transport in Northern Ireland from 1948 until 1966.-Formation and consolidation:The UTA was formed by the Transport Act 1948, which merged the Northern Ireland Road Transport Board and the Belfast and County Down Railway...
(UTA) as a progression of the earlier Multi-engined Diesel
UTA MED
The Ulster Transport Authority Multi-Engined Diesel was an early diesel powered railcar, used in Northern Ireland. The 12-mile Belfast-Bangor railway line had a well used passenger service and, being devoid of goods traffic, was chosen as the testing ground for the diesel railcar era...
(MED). The MED concept, while suitable for short commuter links, was not considered so for the Northern Counties Committee
Northern Counties Committee
The Northern Counties Committee was a railway that served the north-east of Ireland. It was built to Irish gauge but later acquired a number of narrow gauge lines...
section, with its main line from Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
to Derry
Derry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
where speeds of up to 110 km/h (70 mph). were required. A new railcar development was needed, and the MED was superseded by the MPD).
History
The new railcars were to operate on the former ‘broad gauge’ lines of the NCC which not only covered suburban services in and around Belfast, but also the 152 kilometres (94.4 mi) long main line from that city to Derry.The "new" trains, just as with the earlier MEDs, were converted from existing locomotive-hauled stock. These became known as Multi-purpose Diesel (MPD) railcars and were built between 1957 and 1962. The first 10 power cars being intended for the Derry line trains, with the others being for the Belfast local services. The power cars were originally fitted with a 275 h.p. Leyland engine, mounted beneath the chassis and driving both axles on the rear bogie through a torque converter. However problems were encountered with these engines and, in the mid - 1960’s, it was decided to re - engine 12 cars with 260 h.p. AEC
AEC (Associated Equipment Company)
AEC was a United Kingdom based vehicle manufacturer which built buses, motorcoaches and lorries from 1912 until 1979. The acronym stood for the Associated Equipment Company, but this name was hardly ever used; instead it traded under the AEC and ACLO brands.While famously associated with London's...
engines and a further 17 with 275 h.p. engines from Rolls Royce
Rolls-Royce Limited
Rolls-Royce Limited was a renowned British car and, from 1914 on, aero-engine manufacturing company founded by Charles Stewart Rolls and Henry Royce on 15 March 1906 as the result of a partnership formed in 1904....
.
The Belfast - Derry express services, for which the first 10 MPDs were built, called for a high power / weight ratio and, on occasion, saw the five-coach train formation made up of four power cars with a restaurant car. On local services the power cars operated with trailers.
The loss of one of the power cars came about when No. 58 suffered a collision with a motor vehicle on a level crossing in July 1958, the MPD was written off, after just six weeks in service.
Numbering
The numbering sequence followed on from the MEDs, the single-cab power cars being numbered from 36 to 62 inclusive, (27 cars), those with a cab at both ends from 63 to 65 inclusive (3 cars),The power cars numbered 46 to 53, inclusive, were originally non-gangwayed but were rebuilt on their works visits between 1968 and 1970. The last of the single-cab power cars was withdrawn in 1981, the double-cab vehicles lasting a little longer, Nos. 63 and 65 withdrawn in 1981, No.64 in 1983.
There were 18 trailer cars numbered between 529 and 550
529-534,540,541,542 gangwayed driving trailers with cab at one end
535-539 and 543 non gangwayed driving trailers with cab at one end
rebuilt as gangwayed non driving trailers 1968-1970
548 549 550 buffet cars
548 could also work with 70 class sets
550 was converted to a 70 class car in 1966
Preservation
Buffet Car 550 entered preservation in 1978 with the Railway Preservation Society of IrelandRailway Preservation Society of Ireland
The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland is an Irish railway preservation group operating in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It was founded in 1964. The Society has its headquarters at Whitehead, County Antrim, Northern Ireland and a base at Mullingar, County Westmeath...
, whereupon it regained its original UTA number, 87, and was pained in LMS NCC
Northern Counties Committee
The Northern Counties Committee was a railway that served the north-east of Ireland. It was built to Irish gauge but later acquired a number of narrow gauge lines...
livery.