The Hampshire / Berkshire Units The first batch of these units were numbered 1101–1118 and were built in 1957 at Eastleigh as two carriage units and designated 2h. They were built for the non electrified lines around Hampshire, particularly those around Portsmouth and Southampton, to replace the steam trains that had dominated up to this point. As Southern Railway had been pioneering electric traction since the 1930's, these units were intended as a "short term" measure until the whole of the Southern network was electrified. However, with the uneconomic nature of some of the lines, the electrification was not always forthcoming and some of these units were in regular service until 2004 !!!The units were a diesel based version of the electric BR designed 2HAP units (HAlf lavatory with Electro Pneumatic Brakes) that were being produced at the time and the first one hit the streets as part of the new winter timetable on Monday 16th September 1957.
At the time the concept of having most of the engine carriage (DMBSO) taken up with an engine, as opposed to an underslung engine that was common on other diesel units working elsewhere in the country at the time, was highly questionable. This was not least because the design considerably reduced passanger seats in that carriage, passengers would feel the vibration of the engine and the increase in noise, as well as the considerable extra cost of the unit its self. However, the Southern region management made their case and the units were built. It was also unusual for the unit to have a diesel engine powering two electric motors. The rationale appears to have been based around the proven reliability of the electric motors supplied by English electric. The same motors had long been used by Southern Region and their reliability and potential for exchange with their other electric stock appears to have won the arguement. This and the fact that the entire thing could be accommodated in a unit that required no radical design changes as it was based on existing electric stock, appears to explain the logic behind the design.
In 1958, due to popularity and increased passenger numbers (around a 30% increase in passengers) an additional centre trailer was fitted. The designation was then changed to 3h. The units were particularly popular with the management of the time as the units did not require a fireman,were far more cost effective on fuel than a steam train and had quicker turn arounds at destination points. The units were maintained at Eastleigh and were refuelled here and at Fratton (Portsmouth). However the inclusion of a third carriage was not entirely successful. On the mid Hants / Alton route the extra weight proved problematic on the steep inclines. The radical solution was to reduce the units on this line to Two car units and this was maintained until the line closed in 1973.
The second batch of 2H units, delivered on the 14/06/1958, were numbered 1119–1122 and were built as 2 carriage units for services on the non electrified lines around Hastings and Ashford in Kent. The third batch of units, delivered on the 26/12/1958, were built as three-car sets and numbered 1123–1126 for use in Hampshire, following the popularity of the first batch. The final batch of units, known as Berkshires, were delivered on the 14/07/1962 and were 3 carriage sets and numbered 1127–1133. They were intended for non electrified routes around Reading.
These units had some subtle differences such as a smaller route number board between the front windows; different internal layout and differences in the guttering arrangement.Units moved around the Southern area in the years from the early 60's through to the 70's as first steam was withdrawn and lines closed. DEMU operated lines that were closed included Crowhurst to Bexhill West (June 1964), Romsey to Andover Junction (September 1964), Eridge to Hailsham (June 1965), Southampton to Fawley (February 1966), the Steyning line (March 1966), Three Bridges to Tunbridge Wells via East Grinstead (January 1967), the New Romney branch (March 1967), Polegate to Hailsham (September 1968) and Uckfield to Lewes (February 1969).With the introduction by BR of an American system called TOPS in 1986, the class was redesignated as a class 205, with unit 1118 for example, changing to 205018. A number of the units continued on until 2004 when the class were replaced by class 171.
Between 42 and 47 years of service for a "temporary" solution is an extraordinary record and a testament to the staff at Eastleigh. The fact that some are still going today within the preserved / heritage railway environment is nothing short of extraordinary.For the record, the first unit to be sold to a private company, was on the 18th may 2004, when unit 1125 (205025) was sold to the Mid Hants railway (Watercress line).The units stats are as follows.
Weight: The car with the engine weighs 56 tons
Engine: English Electric 4-cylinder type 4SRKT Mark II of 1,000 bhp (750 kW) at 850 rpm (600 shaft hp).
Transmission: Two English Electric type EE507 traction motors rated at 186 kW (250 hp) each.
Driving wheel diameter: 3 ft 6 in (1.07 m).
Coupling code: Standard 'Buck eye' compatible with Class 20x and 4xx units of the time.
Train heating: Electric.Width 9ft 3 inches.
Fuel Consumption - 0.4 gallons per mile.
Fuel tanks - Two tanks, 340 gallon capacity.
Lubricating oil sump - 40 gallons
Cooling water system - ( Header tank, radiator and engine) 75 gallons
Max Speed - 75mph
Brakes - Westinghouse automatic and self lapping electro- pneumatic air brakeExpected average daily mileage - 360-400 miles per set
Engine room piping : Fuel oil - Blue -- Engine lubrication - Green -- Compressed air - white -- Electrics - Orange -- Exhaust - Aluminium
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Internal layout of the 2H taken from the 1966 Appendix to the Carriage Working Notice.
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Internal layout of the first batch of type 3H taken from the 1966 Appendix to the Carriage Working Notice.
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Internal layout of the last batch of type 3H taken from the 1966 Appendix to the Carriage Working Notice.
Example of a seating layout (DTC of Unit 1121 -rear towards the Toilet)
The following has been reproduced from the Hampshire and Sussex Unit Preservation Society website with their very kind permission. The HSUPS has now closed. The Hampshire units were built over a six year period starting in 1957. This program was broken down into an unusually large number of lots with detail differences between many of these. This page summarises the available build data. Diagram numbers were changed to ‘Design Numbers’ in the early 1970’s. The design numbers are shown in brackets after the diagram number. Delivery dates shown are those officially recorded as when the order was completed. However deliveries were normally spread over a period of months and this is shown in brackets. The date of order completion may be later than the delivery of the last unit. All underframes were built at Ashford works and all bodywork and fitting out at Eastleigh
Units 11010 to 1118
DMBSO Lot: 30332
Vehicles: S60100 to S60117
Diagram: 652 (DB203)
Ordered: 13/12/1956
Delivered: 02/11/1957 (August to October 1957)
Seats: 52 Second in one saloon
Notes: 5 seating bays and original size luggage compartment
TSO Lot: 30542
Vehicles: S60650 to S60667
Diagram: 672 (DH203)
Ordered: 13/10/1958
Delivered: 26/12/1959 (August to October 1959)
Seats: 104 Second in two saloons
Notes: This vehicle was not present when the units were delivered
DTCsoL Lot: 30333
Vehicles: S60800 to S60817
Diagram: 679 (DE301)
Ordered: 16/11/1955
Delivered: 02/11/1957 (August to October 1957)
Seats: 13 First, 62 Second as 50 in one saloon and a compartment of 12 next to driving compartment
Notes: Two lavatories were provided: one available to first class and the other to the second class saloon which lost two seats to make space for the door.
The centre trailer (TSO) was added two years after the units were built and was part of the same lot as other Hampshire units being built at the time.
The second class compartment in the DTCL was converted to a luggage compartment in 1963.
These vehicles became Diagram 683 (DE302). In 1975 it was then converted back on all DTCL vehicles except 60800, 60801, 60804 and 60809 but became a first class compartment. The size was also reduced by the inclusion of a door giving access to the other first class compartments and the lavatory. This gave the DTCL 50 second class and 19 first class seats.
Unit 1111 (60110, 60660 and 60810) was refurbished in 1980 with gangways, flourescent lighting and PA. This unit became the only member of class 205/1
Units 1119 to 1122 DMBSO
Lot: 30398
Vehicles: S60118 to S60121
Diagram: 652 (DB203)
Ordered: 13/12/1956
Delivered: 14/06/1958 (June 1958)
Seats: 52 Second in one saloon
Notes: 5 seating bays and original size luggage compartment
DTCsoL
Lot: 30399
Vehicles: S60818 to S60821
Diagram: 679 (DE301)
Ordered: 16/05/1956
Delivered: 14/06/1958 (June 1958)
Seats: 13 First, 62 Second as 50 in one saloon and a compartment of 12 next to driving compartment
Notes: Two lavatories were provided: one available to first class and the other to the second class saloon which lost two seats to make space for the door. Built as two car sets for Hastings local services
The second class compartment in the DTCL in units 1120 to 1122 was converted to a luggage compartment in 1963. These vehicles became Diagram 683 (DE302). In 1975 it was then converted back on all vehicles except 60819 but became a first class compartment. The size was also reduced by the inclusion of a door giving access to the other first class compartments and the lavatory. This gave the DTCL 50 second class and 19 first class seats.
Units 1123 to 1126
DMBSO Lot: 30540
Vehicles: S60122 to S60125
Diagram: 652 (DB203)
Ordered: 13/10/1958
Delivered: 26/12/1959 (November and December 1959)
Seats: 52 Second in one saloon Notes: 5 seating bays and original size luggage compartment
TSO
Lot: 30542
Vehicles: S60668 to S60671
Diagram: 672 (DH203)
Ordered: 13/10/1958
Delivered: 26/12/1959 (November and December 1959)
Seats: 104 Second in two saloons
Notes:
DTCsoL
Lot: 30541
Vehicles: S60822 to S60825
Diagram: 683 (DE302)
Ordered: 13/10/1958
Delivered: 26/12/1959 (November and December 1959)
Seats: 13 First, 50 Second in one saloon
Notes: Two lavatories were provided: one available to first class and the other to the second class saloon which lost two seats to make space for the door.
These were the first units built with the centre trailer (TSO) from delivery. The lot number for these vehicles included those built to strengthen the first 18 units.
The DTCL had the compartment next to the driver assigned as luggage compartment from delivery. This became a first class compartment in 1975 on all vehicles in this batch. The size was also reduced by the inclusion of a door giving access to the other first class compartments and the lavatory. This gave the DTCL 50 second class and 19 first class seats.
Units 1127 to 1133 - Berkshires
DMBSO Lot: 30671
Vehicles: S60145 to S60151
Diagram: 656 (DB204)
Ordered: 26/04/1960
Delivered: 14/07/1962 (May and June 1962)
Seats: 42 Second in one saloon
Notes: 4 seating bays and extended luggage compartment
TSO
Lot: 30672
Vehicles: S60672 to S60678
Diagram: 672 (DH203)
Ordered: 26/04/1960
Delivered: 14/07/1962 (May and June 1962)
Seats: 104 Second in two saloons
Notes:
DTCsoL
Lot: 30673
Vehicles: S60826 to S60832
Diagram: 680 (DE303)
Ordered: 26/04/1960
Delivered: 14/07/1962 (May and June 1962)
Seats: 13 First, 62 Second as 50 in one saloon and a compartment of 12 next to driving compartment
Notes: Two lavatories were provided: one available to first class and the other to the second class saloon which lost two seats to make space for the doors. The additional luggage space was created by extending that in the DMBS allowing the DTCL compartment to be used for second class seating.This batch had a slight change to the appearance of the ends by using a less high route indicator blind created by raising the bottom edge. The Berkshire units were included in TOPS class 205 because of their very close resemblence to the Hampshire units and remain linked to this day.
Written by Chris Cannon with additional material provided by the HSUPS website.