The UTA 70 Class was a class of diesel multiple units built by the Ulster Transport Authority at its York Road works in Belfast, Northern Ireland, between 1966 and 1968 for inter-city passenger services on the provincial rail networkhttps://gb.readly.com/magazines/traction/2021-11-26/619b5a7fb8e1428f7a32b5e9. The MED’s and MPD’s, which made use of readily available power and transmission units, were cheap to operate but noisier and not as comfortable as locomotive-hauled rolling stock, a fact which made them unsuitable for Inter-City journeys. The decision was made to develop a new generation of multiple unit and in July 1966 the first of the new DEMU sets entered service.

History

Investment was needed on the "Inter City" routes and it was a straight choice between new locomotives and coaching stock or a new generation of multiple unit. The decision was made in favour of new multiple units and in 1966 the first of these entered service, designated 70 Class.

Unlike the MEDs and MPDs with their low - powered underfloor engines and mechanical transmissions spread through the train, the new units had a single English Electric engine of , fitted in a compartment between the driving cab and the passenger saloon, and electric transmission. Whilst construction was carried out at the UTA's York Road works in Belfast they imported underframes and body parts. This order comprised parts for the construction of eight power cars and the modification of existing coaches. The 70 Class were first introduced on the former Northern Counties Committee section but were later also worked cross-border trains.https://www.translink.co.uk/using-translink/cross-border/enterprise/enterprise75/19401960

Like the MPDs these units were also suitable for working freight services and regularly appeared on the CIÉ freight services to and from Derry~Londonderry.

The 70s were numbered as follows: Power Cars 71 to 78

The original trailer cars were as follows: 548 Buffet car (dual cables for MPD+70) 550 Buffet car (converted from MPD car) 701-703 Brake cars 711-712 Driving Brake cars 721-725 Standard trailers

In 1968 and 1969, more trailers were added.

554 Buffet car 713-714 Driving Brake cars 726-727 Standard trailers

The power cars' interiors were rebuilt between 1976 and 1979. During the same period 711 to 714 and 726 were rebuilt from side corridor to open layout. Trailer 728 (brake Standard) was rebuilt in 1976 from MPD driving trailer 534. In 1977, 701 and 703 were rebuilt as Driving Brake Standard open.

It was decided in 1983 that the 70 Class railcars would be replaced, No. 78 had already been withdrawn in 1978 after just 10 years of service after being bombed by the IRA. No. 76 was withdrawn in 1984 and the remaining units followed in 1985–1986. The last set in service was a five-car set operated by power cars No. 75 and 77. Both were withdrawn on Tuesday 1 April 1986. For the new units, and after heavy refurbishment, engines, generators and traction motors were recovered as the 70s were withdrawn for re-use in the new 450 class. After withdrawal, it was discovered that the power cars contained blue asbestos, so they were sent to Crosshill Quarry, Crumlin, along with other NIR stock and even some CIÉ stock for disposal. They were put into a flooded part of the quarry, since water dampens asbestos, meaning that no loose fibers could escape from their structures. Most of the under frames were kept for use as flatbeds.

Preservation Buffet Car 550 entered preservation in 1978 with the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland, whereupon it regained its original UTA number, 87, and was painted in LMS NCC livery. Intermediate trailer no. 728 lay at York Road until 1991, and is now at the Downpatrick and County Down Railway. Driving trailer no. 713 was also preserved at Downpatrick but was destroyed by a malicious fire in 2002. Its underframe remains in use as a flat wagon.

Status

Key:ScrappedPreserved

NumberPower Car NameStatusNotesPower cars71River BushScrappedEngines, generators and traction motorsrefurbished for use in 450 Class72River Foyle73River Roe74River Lagan75River Main76River Inver77River Braid78River BannBuffet cars548ScrappedEx MPD buffet550Preserved byRPSIEx MPD buffet554ScrappedEx AEC buffetTrailer cars701ScrappedBrake FirstRebuilt as DBSO 1977702ScrappedBrake Composite703ScrappedBrake StandardRebuilt as DBSO 1977711ScrappedDriving Brake Composite712ScrappedDriving Brake Composite713ScrappedDriving Brake StandardPreserved by DCDRBody destroyed by arson 2002 Underframe in use as a flat wagon714ScrappedDriving Brake Standard721ScrappedTrailer Standard722Scrapped723Scrapped724Scrapped725Scrapped726Scrapped727Scrapped728Preserved byDCDRTrailer StandardEx MPD driving trailer

References