Automotrices diesel (DMU) - Grande-Bretagne : livres (1/4)

DMU and EMU Recognition Guide

Written by well-respected railway expert, author and enthusiast Colin Marsden, this recognition guidebook provides complete coverage of all types of DMU and EMU fleets.

In 1948 British Railways inherited a number of multiple-units, the vast majority of which were EMUs designed for operation on the electrified networks around London, Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle. However, over the next decade there was a revolution in the provision of motive power with the first-generation DMUs coming into service in large numbers and with further extensions to the Southern's electrified network requiring additional stock.

A colourful companion volume for those who enjoyed the hugely popular Traction Recognition this book will also be perfect for anyone with a keen interest, particularly amongst the modelling fraternity, for comprehensive information about the multiple unit rolling stock operated by BR.

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British Railways First Generation DMUs

First widely introduced from the early 1950s onwards, the diesel multiple-unit represented an attempt to produce a vehicle that would replace steam traction on the country's branch lines and secondary routes at a time when the railway industry was in desperate need of a cheaper alternative to steam in order to improve the finances of these increasingly unremunerative lines. Over 4,000 vehicles were ordered from both BR works and private manufacturers as part of the BR modernisation plan of 1955.

Following refurbishment from the early 1970s onwards, many first generation DMUs were to survive in service until the late 1980s and early 1990s. Although most were scrapped after withdrawal, a significant number of these vehicles have been preserved on the nation's heritage railways.

This updated and expanded edition of Hugh Longworth's classic book on the subject records the great variety of DMU types constructed as part of the programme. Each is covered in detail with information about construction, technical specifications, entry into service, formations, allocations, withdrawal and final fate.
This new edition makes full use of colour throughout with many additional photos included. The diagrams have been redrawn and a new section showing the unit formations has been added.

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First Generation DMUs

In the 1950s, British Railways set upon the Modernisation Plan, which would set out the way British Rail would operate in the future. It was decided to replace steam with diesel, and so the idea of the diesel multiple unit was born.
From the mid-1950s onwards, thousands of power and trailer cars were built at various different places, from BR workshops to private manufacturers. All were given different class numbers, which ranged from the Class 100 to the Class 131.
By far the most numerous class were the 101s, built by Metro-Cammell in Birmingham, with over 600 cars built.

The multiple units helped eradicate steam, and also provided a low-cost operation for lightly loaded branch lines. A large number of the different classes would lead long lives, in particular the Class 101s and Class 108s, which were built at Derby.
Some units gave nearly fifty years' service, and most carried BR green livery, followed by BR blue and finally BR blue and grey. Upon sectorisation, many different liveries started to appear.

The final first generation multiple units were taken out of service in 2003, apart from one or two that came back into use with Chiltern Railways and Arriva Trains Wales, and a large number have entered preservation, being ideal for days that are lightly loaded.

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First Generation Scottish DMUs

From the mid-1950s diesel multiple units began to appear in Scotland, firstly on the main line between Edinburgh and Glasgow Queen Street and later on many secondary lines.
More DMU units began to appear from the early 1960s with the gradual withdrawal of steam locomotives.

Possibly the ultimate in the DMU development was the InterCity DMU, later numbered as Class 126. With the expanding motorway network, many branch lines could not be saved and the Beeching axe fell on many of them.
The first generation of Scottish DMU fleets never established the huge following and interest that the diesel and electric locos did.

Here, Colin J. Howat covers virtually the whole of Scotland and encompasses locations from Arbroath in the north to just south of the border in Carlisle. This book covers diesel multiple units from Metro-Cammell Class 101s up to and including Swindon InterCity Class 126s.

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Heritage DMUs - The Final Years

The Sprinter revolution of the 1980s led to the mass withdrawal of British Rail's vast fleet of first generation Diesel Multiple Units. However, a need was identified for a small number of DMUs of certain classes to be kept on beyond their notional lifespan, under the official title of heritage units. Some of these units later made it through the privatisation process and into the twenty-first century.

In this book, Roger Marks looks at the heritage units used by First North Western, Scotrail, First North Eastern, Silverlink, Chiltern Railways, Arriva Trains Wales, South Central and the units that went into departmental service.
In addition to some superb shots of the heritage units, he also takes his camera inside the cab and saloon interiors, as well as exploring the technical side of the DMUs.

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