Class 115 Derby 4-car DMUs
Refurbishment
The Class was included in the 1970s refurbishment scheme, with the first set being treated in January 1978. The fitting of gangways was not part of the work.
Of the 164 vehicles built (82 power cars and 82 centre cars), 96 were refurbished — 51 power cars and 45 centre cars. All were treated at Derby Works.
Until the end of June 1979 vehicles were turned out in the white / blue stripe livery — 19 power cars and 19 centre cars. The remainder were released in Blue / Grey.
Refurbishment Album
British Rail produced an internal photograph album recording the refurbishment, the images were taken at Marylebone circa February 1978 using the first set to be treated (51666 + 59727 + 59746 + 51670).
51677 + 59746 + 59727 + 51666 arriving onto Marylebone.
M51666 has 'Special' on the destination blind, suggesting it may have been here for inspection by HQ staff at 222 Marylebone Road, as well as the photos.
As the chalk on the manifold tells us, this is the No.1 engine on 51666. The two rectangular boxes in the centre under the stepboard contain 'EP' valves, the larger box to the right just before the radiator (with the grille) contains the relays that control the EP valves.
This shows one of the Smiths heaters under a power car. The air inlet is the grille to the lower left, the air will pass through another ('Ozonair') filter before entering the heater, it is behind the diagonal strip with the handle above the the inlet.
This is a close up of the door handle and grab handle - perhaps to show they are now chromed?
On the left should be M51666, still un-gangwayed. The dates show the work was completed at the end of January, it looks like it has been in traffic for several weeks before the image was taken.
This is under the drivers seat, possibly to show the heater air outlet.
This shows under the drivers desk, possibly to show the padded areas.
This is the first class interior of the TCL, presumed to be M59746, taken in the smoking compartment looking towards the toilet area.
This is the first class interior of the TCL, presumed to be M59746, taken in the smoking compartment looking towards the rear of the vehicle and into the smaller non-smoking compartment.
This is the first class interior of the TCL, presumed to be M59746, taken in the non-smoking compartment looking towards the centre of the vehicle and into the larger smoking compartment.
This is a power car interior, presumed to be M51670, taken in the front saloon looking towards the cab.
This is a power car interior, presumed to be M51670, taken in the rear saloon looking towards the cab.
This is a power car interior, presumed to be M51670, taken in the front saloon looking towards the rear of the vehicle.
Vehicle Details
The table below shows the Works date and the livery applied for each vehicle. Information supplied by Eddie Knorn extracted from the BR vehicle record cards.
