British Rail Class 207
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox EMU
| name = British Rail Class 207 (3D)
| image = 207202 at Hurst Green.jpg
| imagesize = 300px
| caption = South Central 207202 at {{stnlnk|Hurst Green}} in 2002
| manufacturer = BR Eastleigh
| operator = {{ubl|Southern Region of British Railways|Network South East|Connex South Central|Southern}}
| successor = {{brc|170}}
| formation = 3 cars per trainset
| numberbuilt = 19 trainsets
| service = 1962-2004
| weight = {{convert|56|LT|t ST|1|abbr=on}}
| carlength =
| width =
| height =
| capacity =
| maxspeed = {{convert|75|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}
| poweroutput = {{convert|600|shp|kW|abbr=on|lk=on}} at 850 rpm
| engine = English Electric 4SRKT Mark II (4-cylinder diesel)
| gauge = {{RailGauge|sg|allk=on}}
| electricsystem =
}}
The British Rail Class 207 (3D) diesel-electric multiple units were built by BR at Eastleigh in 1962. The fleet had a lifespan of 42 years. The Southern Region class 201 to 207 DEMUs are nicknamed 'Thumpers' due to the distinctive sound of their engines.{{cite web|url=http://www.preservedthumpers.com/|title=Preserved Thumpers|website=Preservedthumpers.com|access-date=11 October 2017|archive-date=19 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819083721/http://www.preservedthumpers.com/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://eorailway.co.uk/departments/rolling-stock/demus/|title=Epping Ongar Railway - Rolling Stock Department - Diesel-Electric Multiple Units|first=Paul|last=Skinner|website=Eorailway.co.uk|access-date=11 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217032221/http://eorailway.co.uk/departments/rolling-stock/demus/|archive-date=17 February 2015|url-status=dead}}
Operational history
File:207013 3D East Sussex DMU.jpg
When new the class were used on the Oxted Line, and were mostly concentrated on services between {{stnlnk|London Victoria}} and Uckfield and Eridge to Tonbridge via {{stnlnk|Tunbridge Wells}}.{{cite book|last=Welch|first=Michael|title=Southern DEMUs|publisher=Capital Transport|date=October 2004|pages=19–22|isbn=1-85414-287-9}} 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 {{stnlnk|Reading}}. Most units were withdrawn in 1987 following the electrification of the Oxted Line's {{stnlnk|East Grinstead}} branch.[http://www.hsups.org/history_207.htm Hampshire & Sussex Units Preservation Society: Sussex Units History] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100702024436/http://www.hsups.org/history_207.htm |date=2 July 2010 }} 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 {{stnlnk|Ashford International}} to {{stnlnk|Brighton}}. After this the class operated on the Marshlink Line between Ashford and {{stnlnk|Hastings}} and the Oxted Line between London Victoria and {{stnlnk|Uckfield}} for privatised companies Connex South Central and Southern. The final three units were withdrawn in August 2004.[http://www.daveh.org.uk/demu/207info.html Class 207 Overview] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303013356/http://www.daveh.org.uk/demu/207info.html |date=3 March 2012 }} daveh.org.uk
Technical details
;Power car (one per set):
- Introduced: 1962
- Weight: {{convert|56|LT|t ST|abbr=on}}
- Engine: English Electric 4-cylinder type 4SRKT Mark II of {{convert|600|bhp|abbr=on}} at 850 rpm
- Transmission: Electric, two English Electric type EE507 traction motors rated at {{convert|250|hp|abbr=on}} each.
- Maximum tractive effort: {{convert|12,500|lbf|abbr=on}}
- Driving wheel diameter: {{convert|3|ft|6|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
- Coupling code: Standard 'Buck eye' compatible with contemporary Class 20x and 4xx units.
- Train heating: Electric
Preservation
File:Class207DEMU1305.jpg, Bury.]]
Three complete units have been preserved:
- 207017 – Spa Valley Railway (3-car unit)
- 207202 – Formerly owned by Coulsdon Old Vehicle & Engineering Society, Bicester (2-car unit numbered 1305);{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Roger |title=Plans to restore Oxted Line 2-car "Thumper" DEMU |url=https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2022/11/plans-to-restore-oxted-line-2-car-thumper-demu.html |access-date=12 November 2022 |publisher=RailAdvent |date=12 November 2022 |location=Leyland}} purchased by and moved to the Bluebell Railway in January 2023.{{cite news |title=The Bluebell Railway Acquires Heritage Southern Region DEMU |url=https://www.bluebell-railway.com/bluebell-railway-press-releases/ |access-date=17 January 2023 |publisher=Bluebell Railway |date=16 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117113444/https://www.bluebell-railway.com/bluebell-railway-press-releases/ |archive-date=17 January 2023 |location=Uckfield |url-status=live}}
- 207203 – Swindon and Cricklade Railway (2-car unit) – DMBSO 60127 damaged by fire on 20 May 2016.{{cite news |last1=Robins |first1=Tina |title=Blaze destroys vintage train |url=https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/14507832.blaze-destroys-vintage-train/ |access-date=11 October 2017 |work=Swindon Advertiser |publisher=Newsquest Media Group |date=20 May 2016 |location=High Wycombe}} Class 205 DTCsoL 60822 will be added to replace DTSO destroyed by fire. This vehicle had been stored at Pershore (ex unit 1123) and arrived at the Swindon & Cricklade Railway on 17 June 2016. TS 60669 (ex unit 1124) also stored at Pershore arrived at the same time and will be stripped of usable spares to restore 60822.{{cite news |last1=Robins |first1=Tina |title=Replacement carriage arrives at Swindon and Cricklade Railway as arson investigation continues |url=https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/14566407.replacement-carriage-arrives-at-swindon-and-cricklade-railway-as-arson-investigation-continues/#comments-anchor |access-date=11 October 2017 |work=Swindon Advertiser |publisher=Newsquest Media Group |date=19 June 2016 |location=High Wycombe}}
In addition, driving motor vehicle from unit 207013 has also been preserved:
- 207013 – DMBSO 60138 (cab only) – Reduced to just a cab in May 2016 and remaining section at the South Wales Cab Preservation Group.{{cite web |url=http://www.traincabs.co.uk/?page_id=615 |title=News – Update time |publisher=South Wales Loco Cab Preservation Group |access-date=11 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012000017/http://www.traincabs.co.uk/?page_id=615 |archive-date=12 October 2017 |url-status=dead}}
The centre trailer from unit 207203 has been at a private location:
- 207203 – TSOL 70547 – Private site, Hungerford
DTSO 60901 from 207203 was preserved until it was damaged beyond repair in an arson attack on 20 May 2016; it was scrapped on 22 June that year.{{cite web |url=http://www.cs.rhrp.org.uk/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=4899 |title=BR 60901 Class 207 DEMU: Driving Trailer Standard (scrapped) built 1954 |website=Carriage Survey Project |publisher=Railway Heritage Register Partnership |access-date=11 October 2017}}
Fleet details
class="wikitable"
!Key: |style="background-color:#eaf3ff"|Preserved |style="background-color:#d5fdf4"|Rebuilt |style="background-color:#fee7e6"|Departmental Use |style="background-color:#CECECE"|Scrapped |
Unrefurbished Class 207/0
class="wikitable"
!colspan=2|Unit No. !width=150 rowspan=2 align=left|Name !width=75 rowspan=2 align=left|Final livery !width=50 rowspan=2 colspan=2|DMBSO !width=50 rowspan=2 colspan=2|TCsoL !width=50 rowspan=2 colspan=2|DTSO !rowspan=2 align=left|WithdrawnWithdrawal dates from H. Longworth, British Railways First Generation DMUs, Oxford Publishing Company, 2011, {{ISBN|9780860936121}} !width=150 rowspan=2 align=left|Status |
width=50|New
!width=50|Old |
---|
style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|207001
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|1301 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=left |
style="background-color:#CECECE"|NSE
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60126 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60600 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60900 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|04/1994 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=left|Scrapped |
style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center|207002
|style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center|1302 |style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=left |
style="background-color:#d5fdf4"|NSE
|style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center colspan=2|60127 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60601 |style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center colspan=2|60901 |style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center|1992 |style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=left|Converted to 207103 |
style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|207003
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|1303 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=left |
style="background-color:#CECECE"|Blue/Grey
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60128 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60602 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60902 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|09/1987 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=left|Scrapped |
style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center|207004
|style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center|1304 |style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=left |
style="background-color:#d5fdf4"|NSE
|style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center colspan=2|60129 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60603 |style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center colspan=2|60903 |style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center|07/1991 |style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=left|Converted to 207101 |
style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center|207005
|style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center|1305 |style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=left |
style="background-color:#d5fdf4"|NSE
|style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center colspan=2|60130 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60604 |style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center colspan=2|60904 |style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center|07/1991 |style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=left|Converted to 207102 |
style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|207006
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|1306 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=left |
style="background-color:#CECECE"|Blue/Grey
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60131 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60605 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60905 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|09/1987 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=left|Scrapped |
style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|207007
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|1307 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=left |
style="background-color:#CECECE"|Blue/Grey
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60132 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60606 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60906 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|09/1987 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=left|Scrapped |
style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|207008
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|1308 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=left |
style="background-color:#CECECE"|Blue/Grey
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60133 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60607 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60907 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|05/1988 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=left|Scrapped |
style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|207009
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|1309 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=left |
style="background-color:#CECECE"|Blue/Grey
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60134 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60608 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60908 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|09/1987 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=left|Scrapped |
style="background-color:#fee7e6" align=center|207010
|style="background-color:#fee7e6" align=center|1310 |style="background-color:#fee7e6" align=left |
style="background-color:#fee7e6"|NSE
|style="background-color:#fee7e6" align=center colspan=2|60135 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60609 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60909 |style="background-color:#fee7e6" align=center|09/1993 |style="background-color:#fee7e6" align=left|Tractor unit 951070 |
style="background-color:#fee7e6" align=center|207011
|style="background-color:#fee7e6" align=center|1311 |style="background-color:#fee7e6" align=left |
style="background-color:#fee7e6"|NSE
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60136 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60610 |style="background-color:#fee7e6" align=center colspan=2|60910 |style="background-color:#fee7e6" align=center|05/1990 |style="background-color:#fee7e6" align=left|Sandite unit 1068 |
style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|207012
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|1312 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=left |
style="background-color:#CECECE"|Blue/Grey
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60137 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60611 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60911 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|09/1987 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=left|Scrapped |
style="background-color:#fee7e6" align=center|207013
|style="background-color:#fee7e6" align=center|1313 |style="background-color:#fee7e6" align=left |
style="background-color:#fee7e6"|NSE
|style="background-color:#fee7e6" align=center colspan=2|60138 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60612 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60912 |style="background-color:#fee7e6" align=center|03/1994 |style="background-color:#fee7e6" align=left|Tractor unit 951070 |
style="background-color:#fee7e6" align=center|207014
|style="background-color:#fee7e6" align=center|1314 |style="background-color:#fee7e6" align=left |
style="background-color:#fee7e6"|NSE
|style="background-color:#fee7e6" align=center colspan=2|60139 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60613 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60913 |style="background-color:#fee7e6" align=center|05/1990 |style="background-color:#fee7e6" align=left|Sandite unit 1068 |
style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|207015
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|1315 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=left |
style="background-color:#CECECE"|Blue/Grey
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60140 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60614 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60914 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|9/1987 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=left|Scrapped |
style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|207016
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|1316 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=left |
style="background-color:#CECECE"|Blue/Grey
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60141 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60615 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60915 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|10/1987 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=left|Scrapped |
style="background-color:#eaf3ff" align=center|207017
|style="background-color:#eaf3ff" align=center|1317 |style="background-color:#eaf3ff" align=left |
style="background-color:#eaf3ff"|Blue/Grey
|style="background-color:#eaf3ff" align=center colspan=2|60142 |style="background-color:#eaf3ff" align=center colspan=2|60616 |style="background-color:#eaf3ff" align=center colspan=2|60916 |style="background-color:#eaf3ff" align=center|03/2004 |style="background-color:#eaf3ff" align=left|Preserved |
style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|207018
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|1318 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=left |
style="background-color:#CECECE"|Blue/Grey
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60143 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60617 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60917 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|09/1987 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=left|Scrapped |
style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|207019
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|1319 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=left |
style="background-color:#CECECE"|Blue/Grey
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60144 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60618 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60918 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|05/1988 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=left|Scrapped |
Refurbished Class 207/1
class="wikitable"
!colspan=2|Unit No. !width=150 align=left|Name !width=75 align=left|Final livery !width=75 colspan=3|DMBSO !width=75 colspan=3|DTSO !align=left|Withdrawn !width=150 align=left|Status |
width=50 style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center|207101
|width=50 style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center|207004 |style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=left|Ashford Fayre |style="background-color:#d5fdf4"|NSE |style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center colspan=3|60129 |style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center colspan=3|60903 |style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center|1995 |style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=left|Converted to 207201 |
style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center|207102
|style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center|207005 |style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=left|Brighton Royal Pavilion |style="background-color:#d5fdf4"|NSE |style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center colspan=3|60130 |style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center colspan=3|60904 |style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center|1995 |style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=left|Converted to 207202 |
style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center|207103
|style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center|207002 |style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=left |
style="background-color:#d5fdf4"|NSE
|style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center colspan=3|60127 |style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center colspan=3|60901 |style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=center|1995 |style="background-color:#d5fdf4" align=left|Converted to 207203 |
Refurbished Class 207/2
class="wikitable"
!colspan=2|Unit No. !width=150 align=left|Name !width=75 align=left|Final livery !width=50 colspan=2|DMBSO !width=50 colspan=2|TSOL !width=50 colspan=2|DTSO !align=left|Withdrawn !width=150 align=left|Status |
width=50 style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|207201
|width=50 style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|207101 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=left|Ashford Fayre |style="background-color:#CECECE"|Connex |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60129 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|70286 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60903 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|2003 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=left|Scrapped |
style="background-color:#eaf3ff" align=center|207202
|style="background-color:#eaf3ff" align=center|207102 |style="background-color:#eaf3ff" align=left|Brighton Royal Pavilion |style="background-color:#eaf3ff"|Connex |style="background-color:#eaf3ff" align=center colspan=2|60130 |style="background-color:#eaf3ff" align=center colspan=2|70549 |style="background-color:#eaf3ff" align=center colspan=2|60904 |style="background-color:#eaf3ff" align=center|08/2004 |style="background-color:#eaf3ff" align=left|Preserved |
style="background-color:#eaf3ff" align=center|207203
|style="background-color:#eaf3ff" align=center|207103 |style="background-color:#eaf3ff" align=left |
style="background-color:#eaf3ff"|Connex
|style="background-color:#eaf3ff" align=center colspan=2|60127 |style="background-color:#eaf3ff" align=center colspan=2|70547 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center colspan=2|60901 |style="background-color:#eaf3ff" align=center|08/2004 |style="background-color:#eaf3ff" align=left|Preserved, 60901 destroyed by fire. |
Departmental Units
class="wikitable"
!colspan=2|Unit No. !width=75 align=left|Final livery !colspan=2 width=100|DMB !colspan=2 width=100|T !colspan=2 width=100|DMB (DT*) !align=left|Withdrawn !width=150 align=left|Status |
width=50 style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center |
width=50 style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|1068
|style="background-color:#CECECE"|NSE |style="background-color:#CECECE" colspan=2 align=center|977700 (ex-60139) |bgcolor=cecece colspan=2 align=center|977696 (ex-60522) |style="background-color:#CECECE" colspan=2 align=center|977701* (ex-60910) |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|1992 |style="background-color:#CECECE" align=left|Scrapped |
width=50 style="background-color:#eaf3ff" align=center|951070
|width=50 style="background-color:#eaf3ff" align=center|1070 |style="background-color:#eaf3ff"|NSE |style="background-color:#CECECE" colspan=2 align=center|977906 (ex-60135) |style="background-color:#CECECE" colspan=2 align=center |
style="background-color:#eaf3ff" colspan=2 align=center|977907 (ex-60138)
|style="background-color:#eaf3ff" align=center|1998 |style="background-color:#eaf3ff" align=left|Preserved |
References
{{Reflist}}
Further reading
{{commons category|British Rail Class 207}}
- {{cite book|title=Multiple Unit Pocket Book|series=British Rail Pocket Book No.2|edition=Summer/Autumn 1987|year=1987|first=Peter|last=Fox|publisher=Platform 5 Publishing Ltd.|page=47|isbn=0906579740|oclc=613347580}}
- {{cite book|title=Multiple Unit Pocket Book|series=British Rail Pocket Book No.2|edition=Summer 1988|year=1988|first1=Peter|last1=Fox|first2=Steven|last2=Knight|publisher=Platform 5 Publishing Ltd.|page=56|isbn= 0906579856|oclc=655236737}}
- {{cite book|title=DMUs|first=Colin J.|last=Marsden|series=Motive Power Recognition|volume=3|publisher=Ian Allan|year=1982|pages=110–3|isbn=0711012016|oclc=16599282}}
- {{cite book|url=http://www.barrowmoremrg.co.uk/BRBDocuments/CS/Book_No_230_EK_web.pdf|title=Vehicle Diagram Book No. 230 for Diesel Electric Multiple Unit Trains (including H.S.T.)|via=Barrowmore MRG|publisher=British Railways Board|date=September 1987|at=DB205, DE201, DH301}}
{{British Rail DMU}}