LO262 (51907 / 54490)

Above: Class 108 unit LO262, formed of vehicles 51907 and 54490, waits at Carrog between trains on a damp October day. (Alan Newble)

The class 108 was unusual amongst the railcars produced in the late 1950s and early 1960s, as it had an almost entirely aluminium structure. The exceptions were the ends, which were fabricated from steel for crash resistance, and the fibreglass cab roof. High-intensity headlights were fitted during the 1980s. Apart from crash damage, the fleet lasted intact until 1990, when mass withdrawals began, the last passenger vehicles being withdrawn in 1993. A scheme to refurbish the class in the early 1990s was abandoned in favour of refurbishing class 101 units for further use instead. More about the class 108 can be found on the railcar website.

Our example, LO262, spent nearly all of its working life based at Longsight depot, and is an original pairing. Delivered new to Longsight in April 1960, its duties included Manchester - Chester services. It moved to Chester in 1986, and when set numbers were introduced in 1989 it received the number CH262. Summer 1990 saw it move back to Longsight for its last years until withdrawal in 1993.

The unit arrived at Llangollen in working order. Some improvements were made, with the ceilings, guard's van, driver's desks and exterior ends painted, with entry into service almost immediately. Since then the interior has received new upholstery, a public address system, and body surgery followed by a repaint in 1999. It retains its blue and grey livery, as in its facelifted state it would be inappropriate for it to appear in green.

General Info

Built

BR Derby, 1960

Lot no.

30601, 30602

Engines

Two Leyland 680/1 of 150hp

Transmission

Mechanical - Cardan shaft / freewheel driving Wilson R14 four-speed epicyclic gearbox, with further cardan shaft to RF28 final drive

Weight

29.5t + 22.5t

Max Speed

70mph

Train Brakes

Vacuum

Coupling Code

Blue Square

Depot Allocations

Longsight

9A

April 1960

Longsight

LO

Chester

CH

1986

Set number CH262

1989

Longsight

LO

Summer 1990

Withdrawn

1993

Llangollen

1993

The unit is maintained by the Railcar Group.

Transferred 11th Sept 2007 by John Rutter- email webmaster