Overview
The British Rail Class 109 is the classification given to a tiny group of first-generation diesel multiple units (DMUs) built in 1957 by the independent manufacturer Wickham & Co. Only five two-car sets were completed, making the type one of the smallest production runs among British Rail's early DMU fleet. They were intended for light branch-line passenger work and short-distance services where economy and light axle loads were important.
Design and construction
The sets used lightweight construction techniques for the period and had an unusual external appearance compared with many contemporaries. As with several early DMU designs, the focus was on reduced weight and simple construction to lower fuel consumption and track wear on secondary routes. Bodies and interiors were modest and functional, intended for short workings rather than express services.
Mechanical features
Although detailed mechanical specifications vary among small independent builders, first-generation DMUs of this type typically used underfloor diesel engines and mechanical or hydraulic transmissions. The Class 109 followed the general principle of two-car formations with driving controls at each end, allowing single-set operation or multiple working with compatible units.
Operational history
Because of their small number and a degree of non-standard equipment, the Class 109 sets became operationally inconvenient as British Rail moved towards larger, standardised DMU fleets. Over time the sets were displaced from regular passenger duties. Several examples were taken out of passenger service and disposed of in different ways rather than being retained in large numbers for secondary duties.
Export and departmental use
Two of the built sets were sold back to the manufacturer and subsequently exported to continue service overseas in Trinidad and Tobago. Another set was converted for departmental use within British Rail and remained in that role into the early 1980s, serving as a utility vehicle for engineering or internal movements rather than public timetabled services. The remaining sets were withdrawn and eventually disposed of when upkeep became uneconomic.
Legacy and interest
Although the Class 109 never reached the numbers or prominence of mainstream DMU types, it is of interest to historians and enthusiasts as an example of independent manufacturers supplying niche designs in the 1950s. The class illustrates the difficulties faced by small-production types: bespoke parts, specialised maintenance regimes and eventual replacement by standardised fleets. No complete sets are widely reported as preserved, and the type survives mainly in photographs, records and the accounts of preservation groups.
Further information
For broader context on first-generation DMUs and small independent builders, see general overviews and manufacturer histories. See a concise Class overview, details on the maker at Wickham & Co, aggregated listings at BR DMU classes, and notes on overseas sales and later careers at export and preservation records.
- Formation: two-car sets.
- Manufacturer: Wickham & Co, 1957.
- Use: branch-line passenger services, later exports and departmental service.