British Rail Class 117 And 121 Diesel Mechanical Multiple Unit

Discussion in 'Suggestions' started by elarthur, Nov 13, 2021.

  1. elarthur

    elarthur Well-Known Member

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    The British Rail Class 117 diesel multiple units were built by Pressed Steel from 1959 to 1961. It was a licence-built variant of the British Rail Class 116. A total of 123 Class 117's were built by Pressed Steel between 1959 and 1961. The Class 116 was ordered in large numbers which Derby Works could not fulfil, so the work was sub contracted. When first introduced in 1960, these three-car units were all based with the similar Class 121 single carriage (railcar) units on British Railways Western Region for suburban work out of London Paddington. The units were largely based at Reading and Southall depots. The units remained here for many years working these services. These and the Class 121 were replaced in the London area from 1992 by Class 165 Networker Turbos.

    The British Rail Class 121 is a single-car double-ended diesel multiple unit. 16 driving motor vehicles were built from 1960, numbered 55020–55035. These were supplemented by ten single-ended trailer vehicles, numbered 56280–56289 (later renumbered 54280–54289). They have a top speed of 70 mph, with slam-doors, and vacuum brakes. The driving motor vehicles were nicknamed "Bubble Cars" by some enthusiasts (a nickname endorsed and made official by final passenger service operator Chiltern Railways).
    These units would make superb dlc for Diesel Legends of the GW as they were much more frequently seen than the Class 101. Potentially they could be the springboard for introduction of many more similar looking dmu classes.
    Screenshot_20211112-205130_Samsung Internet.jpg
    Class 117 unit in BR Blue/Grey livery.
    Screenshot_20211112-205214_Samsung Internet.jpg
    Class 121 railcar in earlier BR Blue livery.
     
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  2. finntd#7891

    finntd#7891 Well-Known Member

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    If these came together in a pack it could be called like “Western Lightweights”, they could also Layer to other routes like the Obvious, NTP TVL And WSR and WCL, gives the routes more Diversity, and yes I Agree these can be the Catalyst to bringing more First Gen DMUs to this Game,
     
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  3. Woroszyl The NS 2000

    Woroszyl The NS 2000 Well-Known Member

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    Petition to add these bad boys for TSW2.
    And please don't ask why i called these bad boys, This is beause they are awesome!
     
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  4. elarthur

    elarthur Well-Known Member

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    These types were WR based with other similar classes in other parts of the country so NTP and TVL would require different types.
     
  5. dhekelian

    dhekelian Well-Known Member

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    I travelled on both these in my teens and later. I once had to get a 117 to Paddington from Didcot as I missed the HST and it stopped at every bleeding station, I think it is still running for the return journey, haha.

    Looking back these two trains are iconic of the times and fulfilled a valuable service and would certainly be a much welcome addition to TSW2. I would buy them and if they had RD support I wouldn't even have to think about it. It's just a shame the GWE were not longer to get a more variety of station.
     
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  6. finntd#7891

    finntd#7891 Well-Known Member

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    I Dont think they would hurt to be layered on NTP, and TVL, but i do see why you think that, a Similar looking class the Class 108s would be very suitable for NTP and TVL however
     
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  7. andrewandjane66

    andrewandjane66 Well-Known Member

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    In 1992 I had a trip on a 117 from Cardiff to Birmingham in the front seat and with the drivers blinds open. It stopped at Bromsgrove meaning it tackled the Lickey Incline from a standing start. It crawled up at walking pace.
     
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