British Rail Class 108 - Definition and Overview

Class 108 DMU, nos. 50980 and 52054, at Bodmin on 28th August 2003. This unit is preserved on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway in Cornwall.

Class 108 DMU, nos. 56208 and 51935, at Bewdley on 15th October 2004. This unit is preserved on the Severn Valley Railway.

Description

The British Rail Class 108 DMU was built at BR Derby from 1958 to 1961, with a final production quantity of 333 vehicles.

These units stayed in regular service until 1990, when they began to be withdrawn from traffic.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 "Turbostar" 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 and lack of asbestos has ensured that many of this class have been saved for preservation.