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Class 115 (14 vehicles)

Class 115’s were Derby built 4-car suburban units which ran for much of their lives from London Marylebone.

The sets were formed DMBS-TCL-TS-DMBS, and whilst a reasonable selection have been preserved it is now unlikely that a true Class 115 4-car set will ever be recreated. This is due to the distribution of vehicles and the number that have been converted to static uses losing their original interiors in the process. A full set is still, theoretically, possible as there is still one of each required vehicle type still in complete condition.

Initially there were five complete sets preserved in the 1990's (three of which were 3-car sets with a TCL included) with some extra trailer cars in use with other DMU classes. However as vehicles have required major investment several sets have been sold on and sometimes split up and/or scrapped. Several others fell out of use and went into storage. By 2013 only theWest Somerset Railway had an operational set still in service. TheWSR have always had the largest Class 115 collection having decided in the 1990’s to standardise their fleet, selling other types in favour of 115s, and they are generally regarded as the headquarters of 115 preservation.

Like all suburban DMUs corrosion is now attacking most vehicles, with heavy overhauls required to ensure their long term future. Few 115's have received heavy body overhauls which is a concern for the welfair of the class going forward. Unless new groups form with serious interest in major 115 restoration, it is not an unreasonable prediction that only a handful of vehicles will survive in preservation long term. Hopefully one complete set will survive in running order.

Semi Scrapped

Now Scrapped