Class 108

Developed from the original series of BR Railcars, the Class 108 was designed with a more rugged steel body, rather than aluminium. They retained the twin 150hp Leyland engines and gained a prominent ‘headcode’ display, which indicated the identity and destination of the train.

The vehicles in this set were produced late in the Class 108’s development in 1960, and worked primarily on the London Midland Region from Newton Heath Depot. The ‘Driving Motor Brake Second’ (51933) and ‘Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory’ (54504) were only paired after their withdrawal from mainline service in February 1993. The set was then acquired for preservation and spent some time at the Peak Rail yard and the Swanage Railway in Dorset, before moving to Llangollen in 2019 following an extensive programme of repairs at Eastleigh Works.

Since moving to the Llangollen Railway, this DMU has seen frequent use and diligent repairs. Its resilient design and reliable engine make it ideal for our mid-week running, which allows us to provide services throughout the year without inflating ticket prices.