British Rail Class 202

Infobox DMU
name = British Rail Class 203


imagesize = 300px
caption =
background = #D5005E
Manufacturer = Eastleigh and Ashford Works
Formation = 4 cars per trainset
Built = unknown
InService = 1957-1986
Weight =
Capacity =
MaxSpeed = 75mph
Brakes =
Engine = 2x EE6K
Operator = British Rail|The British Rail Class 202 (or 6L) 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. Several tunnels along the route had restricted clearance, meaning that these units were built with a narrow body profile.

The last six-car units were withdrawn in 1986, when the Hastings line was electrified. The line through the tunnels was reduced to single track, allowing standard loading gauge Class 411 electrical multiple units to replace the diesel units on passenger services. One unit was subsequently reinstated to provide emergency cover, and was renumbered as 202001 to conform with the TOPS numbering system.

After the mass withdrawals of 1986, several units were reformed as four-car units, and subsequently renumbered into the Class 203 series. In addition, several vehicles saw further use as departmental vehicles.

Technical details

Power car (two per six-car set)

* Introduced: 1957-58
* Weight: 55 tons per unit
* Engine: English Electric 4-cylinder type 4SRKT Mark II of convert|500|bhp|abbr=on at 850 rpm
* Transmission: Electric, two English Electric traction motors
* Maximum tractive effort: Not known
* Driving wheel diameter: Not known
* Coupling code: Within type
* Train heating: Electric

Fleet Details

Departmental Units

Preservation

One complete unit, has been preserved.
*1013 - by Hastings DieselsIn addition, two vehicles from unit 1012 have also been preserved.
*1012 - DMBSO 60016 and TFK 60708 - by Hastings Diesels

Several of the vehicles from 1012 and 1013 now operate in preserved mainline registered unit 201001. To avoid conflict with Class 60 locomotives, vehicles 60016 and 60018 have been renumbered to 60116 and 60118 respectively. These two vehicles have also been named after towns along the routes which they previously worked.
*60116 (ex-60016) - Mountfield
*60118 (ex-60018) - Tunbridge Wells

External links

[http://www.hastingsdiesels.co.uk/ Hastings Diesels]