Class 170 'Turbostar' Profile and Models
170114 at Derby in January 2001. ©Steve Jones
The British Rail Class 170 Turbostar is a British diesel multiple unit (DMU) passenger train built by Adtranz and later Bombardier Transportation at Derby Litchurch Lane Works. Introduced after privatisation, these trains operate regional as well as long-distance services, and to a lesser extent suburban services. A total of 139 units were built, but some were later converted to Class 168 and Class 171 units. These trains are currently in use with West Midlands Trains (formerly London Midland), CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Transport for Wales Rail, ScotRail and Northern Trains. The class is a development of the design used in the British Rail Class 165 and 166 DMUs known as the Networker Turbos and built by British Rail Engineering Limited and later ABB Transportation Ltd before that company became part of Bombardier. ScotRail is the largest operator of the Class 170. Class 170 units have been categorised into six (originally seven) sub-classes; the basic specifications remain the same (engine, length, transmission, etc.), the differences being the seating arrangements specified by the different operators. Because of the different interior fittings the sub-classes differ in weight from one another by a small amount, up to around 2 tonnes. |
|
Type of Unit |
Diesel Multiple Unit |
Builder |
Adtranz & Bombardier |
Build Dates |
1998 to 2005 |
Total Built |
139 sets |
Coaches Per Unit |
2 or 3-car |
Power Output |
844 to 1,266hp |
Top Speed |
100 mph |
Passenger Capacity |
204 to 272 seats |
Operated By |
Anglia Central Trains Cross Country Trains East Midlands Railway First Scotrail Hull Trains London Midland Midland Mainline Northern Trains ONE ScotRail Southern Rail South West Trains Strathclyde PTE Thameslink Transport for Wales TransPennine Express West Midlands Trains |
Main Duties |
Regional Passenger |
In Service Until |
Present |
Surviving Examples |
119 sets (9 converted to 168, 11 converted to 171) |