The British Rail Class 204 designation has been used twice for two similar types of diesel-electric multiple units.

History The original units, numbered in the range 1119-1122, were two-car versions of the Class 205 '3H' units, and were classified as 2H under the old system.

In 1979, BR decided to augment the two-car units to three-car formation. Three of the four units were reformed with the addition of centre trailers taken from 3H (Class 205) units, and thus were themselves reclassified as Class 205.

The fourth 2H unit, and the three former 3H units which had given up their trailers, were augmented by reusing the ex-2EPB driving trailers from redundant Class 206 units. The Class 204 designation was re-applied to these four newly formed units (which were also given the classification 3T under the old system). They were renumbered into the range 1401-1404. In 1986, the units were renumbered to 204001-004 to conform with the TOPS numbering system.

Technical details

Power car (one per set)

Introduced: 1957 Weight: Engine: English Electric 4-cylinder type 4SRKT Mark II of at 850 rpm Transmission: Diesel-electric, two English Electric type EE507 traction motors rated at () each. Maximum tractive effort: Driving wheel diameter: Coupling code: Standard 'Buckeye' compatible with contemporary class 20x and 4xx units. Train heating: Electric

Fleet details Key:ReclassifiedReformedScrapped

Original Class 204 (2H) Units Unit NumberDMBSODTCsoLDisbanded Status111960118608183/1980Reclassified as 3H (unit 1119) with addition of TSO 60653112060119608193/1980Reclassified as 3H (unit 1120) with addition of TSO 60652112160120608205/1974Reclassified as 3H (unit 1108) with addition of TSO 60657112260121608212/1980Converted to 3T unit 1402 with addition of DTSso 77508

Reformed Class 204 (3T) Units Unit NumberDMBSODTSsoDTCsoLWithdrawnStatusNewOldOriginal20400114011108 *6010777500608078/1987Scrapped20400214021122   60121775086082111/1987Scrapped20400314031103 *6010277507608029/1987Scrapped20400414041104 *6010377503608038/1987Scrapped * ex-Class 205

Preservation Of the original 2H units, a single driving trailer has been preserved. 205008 (ex-1121) - DTCsoL 60820 - Hastings Diesels, currently at the Lavender Line.

None of the reformed 3T units are preserved.

References

Further reading

External links Hastings Diesels