British Rail Class 108
The British Rail Class 108 diesel multiple units were built by BR Derby from 1958 to 1961, with a final production quantity of 333 vehicles.
Overview
The 108 was formed as a 2,3 or 4 car unit. Its aluminium body led the type to be classed a lightweight unit. These units stayed in regular service until 1990, when they began to be withdrawn from traffic. They were replaced on regional services by the new "Sprinter" derivative units, or by "Turbo" units on services around London. The final units lasted in traffic until October 1993, although many saw further use in departmental service, as sandite or route-learner units. Good condition on withdrawal and lack of asbestos has ensured that many of this class are now used on preserved railway lines.Orders
| Lot No. | Car type | Qty | Fleet No. | Notes |
| 30406 | Driving Motor Brake Second | 26 | 50599–50624 | ER power-trailer and power-twin sets |
| 30407 | Driving Motor Brake Second | 5 | 50625–50629 | LMR power-trailer sets |
| 30408 | Driving Motor Composite with lavatory | 17 | 50630–50646 | ER power-twin and four-car sets |
| 30409 | Driving Trailer Composite with lavatory | 21 | 56190–56210 | ER power-trailer sets |
| 30410 | Driving Trailer Composite with lavatory | 5 | 56211–56215 | LMR power-trailer sets |
| 30411 | Trailer Second with lavatory | 6 | 59380–59385 | ER four-car sets |
| 30412 | Trailer Brake Second with lavatory | 6 | 59245–59250 | ER four-car sets |
| 30460 | Driving Motor Brake Second | 12 | 50924–50935 | LMR power-twin sets |
| 30461 | Driving Motor Composite with lavatory | 12 | 51561–51572 | LMR power-twin sets |
| 30465 | Driving Motor Brake Second | 50 | 50938–50987 | LMR power-trailer sets |
| 30466 | Driving Trailer Composite with lavatory | 50 | 56221–56270 | LMR power-trailer sets |
| 30493 | Trailer Second with lavatory | 5 | 59386–59390 | ER three-car sets |
| 30498 | Driving Motor Brake Second | 9 | 51416–51424 | LMR power-trailer sets |
| 30499 | Driving Trailer Composite with lavatory | 9 | 56271–56279 | LMR power-trailer sets |
| 30601 | Driving Motor Brake Second | 50 | 51901–51950 | LMR power-trailer and power-twin sets |
| 30602 | Driving Trailer Composite with lavatory | 21 | 56484–56504 | LMR power-trailer sets |
| 30660 | Driving Motor Composite with lavatory | 29 | 52037–52065 | LMR power-twin sets |
Accidents and incidents
- On 19 October 1987, the Glanrhyd Bridge over the River Towy at Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire collapsed as a passenger train operated by a Class 108 unit crossed it. Four people were killed.
- On 22 August 1990, a three-car Class 108 unit overran a signal and was in a head-on collision with a two-car Class 108 unit at Hyde Junction, Cheshire. Twenty-eight people were injured.
Preservation