19850223_ZD_AdrianNicols

Prototype DEMU set 210 002 at Acton Mainline. 30/07/84.
Like the ill fated class 151 another class that might have been the answer but was never realised was the class 210., , With the first generation DMU fleet reaching the life expired stage at the start of the 1980's BR were keen to evaluate a modern replacement that could be more versatile and replace loco hauled as well as traditional DMU worked services with a top speed of 90mph. With the class 317 EMU as a starting point using a Mk3 body shell BR Derby Works built a 3-car and 4-car prototype DEMU. 3-car set 002 was fitted with a Paxman 6RP200L engine while 4-car set 001 had an MTU 12V396 TC11 engine. The units were introduced in July 1982 onto the BR Western region for evaluation on commuter and middle distance workings. At the time BR were keen to have units with a commonality of parts so the 210 ticked a lot of boxes but at the end of the day the class 210 was an expensive new train arriving on the scene at the wrong time. The Government of the day wanted BR to use a low cost option for replacing DMU's on socially necessary lines so the railbus prototype class 140 was seen as the solution. The 210 never went into production so a mix of loco hauled and first generation DMU's soldiered on in the London area of Western Region until the advent of the "Networker Turbo" ten year later. Inevitably the railbuses did go into production with class 141 appearing in 1983 and 142 in 1985. Thankfully BR revisited the need for better DMU's and the class 150 and 151 prototypes were the result. The class 210's were withdrawn in 1988 and the trailer vehicles from both sets were reformed to make a class 457 EMU numbered 7001 which was the test bed unit for 3-phase drive technology to be employed in the Networker EMU's (class 465 & 466)., In this image 31 257 recedes into the distance light engine as DEMU set 210 002 arrives at Acton Mainline station with 2F59 the 17.05 London Paddington to Slough. The 3-car set had no first class so was better suited to inner suburban work. The 4-car with first class was often on Paddington to Newbury workings.

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15:00:15 03/09/2016

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