Class 118 BRC&W 3-car DMUs
Liveries
Green with Whiskers
The sets were delivered in Loco (Dark Brunswick) Green with and whiskers. Most were lined although there are some indications[1] that the second set may have been delivered without lining. The roof domes were white and buffer beams red. The first image shows a set in this condition led by W51304 at Saltash circa 1960. 53A Models of Hull Collection.
The shape of the whiskers differed from the Pressed Steel sets, and can aid identification of the two types in the whisker era, particularly for the first few sets where both types had the curved top headcode boxes and no marker lights. The BRC&W whiskers had a flat top section, shaped to go around marker lights regardless of whether they had marker lights or not (as in the image). The Pressed Steel version of the whiskers were more diagonal.
Green with yellow panel
In the early 1960s yellow panels replaced the whiskers. The image shows a set at Dawlish on 6th July 1968. David Mant.
Rail blue with yellow panel
In the late 1960s corporate plain blue appeared. Initially this was just with a yellow panel. The image shows a twin set hauling three milk tanks at Stuart Road, Plymouth. Bernard Mills.
Rail blue with full yellow ends
In the late 1960s corporate plain blue appeared. This view shows W51329 leading set all-blue set P471 near Eggesford on the 14th August 1976, David Mant.
Refurbished
In 1978 the three centre cars that were running in Class 117 sets (59478-80 in L433-5) were refurbished with the power cars, and were the only members of the Class to receive the white/blue stripe "refurbished livery".
Blue / Grey
As none carried the refurbished livery the next change was into blue and grey in the early 1980s. This view shows headlight fitted 51330 at Merthyr Tydfil in this livery. The set - C472 - is working with Class 108 power car 51416 in the center when seen with the 17:30 to Cardiff Central on 13/10/89. Gazza Prescott.
Blue / Grey with Valleys branding
Cardiff sets at one point acquired Welsh Dragon & red line on cab, and side brandings. The example shows 51307 as part of C465 at Cardiff Central on 19/12/87. Mac Winfield.
Blue / Grey with Midline branding
In 1989 Tyseley allocated set T316 had "MIDLINE" and the Tyseley bear emblem added to the cab front in black. It is seen in the image (51306 closest) at Stourbridge Junction on 15 March 1989. On Tour With The Class 13 Army.
British Telecom
One set, P460, was painted in a promotional British Telecom livery in 1985. It is seen at Exeter St. Davids, 5th February 1985, the day before the press launch of the colours. Neil Cannon.
In 1988 the set would be transferred to Bristol then Cardiff, still in yellow. The power cars were withdrawn in July 1988, the yellow centre car survived until November running between blue/grey power cars in set C468.
Network South East
Only vehicle appeared in Network South East colours: DMS 51319. It is seen on the 9th November 1991 as part of L745 presumably with 53820, waiting at Reading with the 20:35 to Henley. Gazza Prescott.
References
- ⋏ July 1960, p232 Railway Observer (Railway Correspondence and Travel Society)