CLASS 501
| The third rail dc electrified network of the London
Division tracks of the London Midland Region's Euston-Watford line, including
the Richmond -Broad Street, North London line, date from 1914. By the late
1950s, the original stock was up for replacement and new stock was sought
for the services culminating in this fleet of 'shoe' pick up 630 volt dc
electrics. For the Euston-Watford, Richmond-Broad Street services, 57 three-car units were required. These were built by the railway's own workshops at Eastleigh on frames supplied by Ashford. Due to tight loading restrictions all vehicles were constructed on short 57ft. frames. The external body appearance was typical of the period and closely resembled the EPB stock of the SR; the three vehicles of each set being screw-coupled together, fitted with electro pneumatic brake equipment and equipped for forth rail operation (this was later altered to three). Set formations were: Driving Motor Brake Second (DMBS), Trailer Second (TS) and Driving Trailer Brake Second (DTBS). Both the DMBS and DTBS vehicles were of similar layout with a full width driving cab followed by a guard's/luggage compartment. Passengers were accommodated in seven (3 + 2) bays. The TS car was laid out in 9 twelve-seat compartments. Total passenger seating capacity for a unit was 256 with a tare weight of 106 tons. Traction equipment being housed in frame-hung boxes under the DMBS vehicle, with traction motors of the 185hp GEC type being mounted one on each axle of the same car. As these units were of 'high density' style, passenger doors were located by each seating bay; drop light windows were 'barred' to prevent passengers hanging out, as only limited clearances prevailed at a number of locations, especially Hampstead Tunnel. Unit ends closely followed the EPB style and incorporated a two character alpha numerical headcode. Control jumpers were housed on the body front while air connections were positioned below buffer height. In common with LMR dc stock, no unit numbers were carried when introduced, but sets were formed of like numbered cars; for example M61133, M75133, M70133. When built in 19575/8, all sets were painted in green livery which subsequently changed to railblue from the late 1960s. In 1980, a start was made on semi modernising the sets by opening out the compartment trailer and applying new upholstery. At the same time, sets were repainted in blue/grey livery and some were given six digit set numbers. All units were allocated to Croxley Green and withdrawn from operation in May 1985. |
| Go to Recognition Pages |
| Number range: | 501135-501189 |
| Former number range: | - |
| Alpha code: | - |
| Introduced: | 1957-58 |
| Built by: | BR Eastleigh |
| Formation: | DMBS+TS+DTBS |
| Vehicle numbers: | DMBS - 61135-61189 |
| TS - 70135-70189 | |
| DTBS - 75135-75189 | |
| Set length: | 181ft 9in |
| Vehicle length: | DMBS, DTBS - 57ft
5in TS - 57ft 1in |
| Height: | 12ft 8in |
| Width: | 9ft 6in |
| Seating: | Total - 256S amended to 242S |
| DMBS - 74S | |
|
TS - 108S, later amended to 94S after opeing out of compartments |
|
| DTBS - 74S | |
| Internal layout: | 2+3 or compartment |
| Gangway: | No |
| Toilets: | Not fitted |
| Weight: | Total - 106 tonnes |
| DMBS - 47 tons | |
| TS - 29 tons | |
| DTBS - 30 tons | |
| Brake type: | Air (EP/Auto) |
| Bogie type: | Mk2 |
| Power collection: | 630V dc third rail |
| Traction motor type: | 4 x GEC |
| Horsepower: | 740hp |
| Max speed: | 60mph |
| Coupling type: | Screw |
| Multiple restriction: | Within class only |
| Door type: | Slam |
| Special features: |
Set numbers not carried, formations usually kept with last two numbers the same.