British Rail Class 115
These 41 high density sets operated the outer-suburban services from Marylebone usually to destinations such as High Wycombe, Aylesbury and Banbury which are on the Chiltern Main Line and Great Central Main Line (now the London to Aylesbury Line). Sometimes, these sets used to operate 8-12 car long expresses to Nottingham Victoria in the final years of the GCML. Coincidentally, the 115 were under Table 115 in the British Rail timetable.
| British Rail Class 115 | |
|---|---|
| In service | 1960-1998 |
| Manufacturer | BR Derby |
| Number built | 41 |
| Formation | 4 cars per trainset |
| Operator | British Rail |
| Line(s) served | Chiltern Main Line, London to Aylesbury Line |
| Specifications | |
| Maximum speed | 70 mph |
| Weight | 38 tonnes |
| Engine(s) | BUT (Leyland Albion) of 230hp |
| Gauge | 1435 mm (4 ft 8½ in) |
Based on the basic Derby high density design, the sets are similar to Class 127 but were internally superior as the class had larger windows, better furnishings, lighting and wall surfaces.
Some sets were also built for the CLC line between Liverpool and Manchester. These were later transferred to Marylebone. They also worked from Tyseley in the later years.
The Marylebone sets, which were later transferred to Bletchley but remained on Chiltern Line duties, were declared surplus after the introduction of Class 165s, from 1991 onwards. While at Bletchley depot the class was also used on the Gospel Oak to Barking Line, units being formed as power twins. They were in turn replaced on this line by class 117 power twins.
The final Class 115 working out of Marylebone was in July 1992. The Tyseley sets survived a bit longer, until February 1994.
British Rail Class 115 Media
A Class 115 at Aylesbury in 1984.
A set preserved on the West Somerset Railway
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