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Preserved LocomotivesClass 141 Diesel Multiple Units

Class 141 BREL/Leyland Bus twin railbus - diesel multiple units four-wheeled diesel railbuses.

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A history of Class 141 diesel multiple units

Class 141 units were built in 1983-1984,unreliable until modified by Hunslet-Barclay in 1988-1989.

Class 141 units are powered by Leyland TL11 engines of 152 kW (205 h.p.). Class 141 trains have a maximum of 75 m.p.h.

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The British Rail Class 141 DMUs were the first production model of the Pacer diesel multiple units built by Leyland Bus. Class 141 rail bus trains were mainly used in West Yorkshire and some were later sold to Iran.  Class 141 DMUs have a top speed of 75 mph.

Class 141 141113 2-car set at Butterley station on the 'Midland Railway' heritage line, consisting of Class 141 carriages 55533 and 55513

Four-wheeled railbus Class 141 113 2-car set, looking towards Butterley Station

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A history of Class 141 diesel multiple units

The Class 141 was the first production “Pacer” DMU, built in 1984 as a low‑cost railbus based heavily on the Leyland National bus, and it served mainly in West Yorkshire before most units were exported to Iran after withdrawal.

Why the Class 141 DMUs were created

British Rail in the early 1980s faced severe financial pressure and a large fleet of ageing 1950s DMUs. The Serpell Report (1982) intensified the push for ultra‑cheap solutions to keep rural lines open. BR and Leyland therefore developed a railbus concept, using bus components to reduce cost.

  • Development began with prototypes such as LEV1 and Class 140.
  • The Class 141 became the first full production Pacer, ordered in 1984.

Construction and Technical Design of the Class 141 DMUs

  • Built: 1984 at BREL Derby (frames) and Leyland (bodies).
  • Number built: 20 two‑car sets (141001–141020; later renumbered 141101–141120).
  • Carbody: Steel with bus‑derived modular construction.
  • Wheel arrangement: Four‑wheel underframes (no bogies), the defining Pacer feature.
  • Engines: One Leyland TL11 per car, 11.1 L, ~200 hp.
  • Transmission: SCG epicyclic 4‑speed.
  • Top speed: 75 mph (121 km/h).
  • Capacity: 94 seats per set.

Ride Quality of the Class 141 DMUs

The rigid 4‑wheel chassis caused:

  • Harsh, bouncy ride, especially over points.
  • High noise levels.
  • Poor passenger reputation.
    These issues became a defining characteristic of the Pacer family.

Modifications and Reliability Improvements of the Class 141 DMUs (1988–1989)

Early service exposed engine and transmission reliability problems.
Between 1988–89, Hunslet‑Barclay carried out upgrades including:

  • Electrical rewiring
  • Improved couplers
  • Interior improvements
  • Renumbering to 141101–141120
    These changes made the fleet more reliable but did not solve the fundamental ride‑quality limitations.

Operational History of the Class 141 DMUs

West Yorkshire (Primary Area)

The Class 141s were sponsored by West Yorkshire PTE, entering service on routes around Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield, and Wakefield.

  • Initial livery: Verona green & buttermilk
  • Later: Red & cream “MetroTrain” branding

Wider BR Use of the Class 141 DMUs

Although mainly Yorkshire‑based, they also appeared on:

  • Northern England branch lines
  • Some services in Wales and the South West (short‑term allocations)

Withdrawal of the Class 141 DMUs

Replaced by Class 142s and Sprinters, the Class 141s were withdrawn from BR service by 1997–1998.

Overseas Service of the Class 141 DMUs

After withdrawal:

  • 12 units exported to Iran, operating suburban services for around eight more years.
  • 1 unit trialled in Thailand/Malaysia/Indonesia (meter‑gauge conversion) but not adopted.
  • 2 units exported to the Netherlands.

This gave the class a total lifespan of 21 years (1984–2005).

Preservation of the Class 141 DMUs

Only a handful survive in the UK:

  • 141108 – Colne Valley Railway
  • 141113 – Midland Railway Butterley
  • 141103 – Weardale Railway

These units are historically significant as the first production Pacers, representing BR’s most radical cost‑cutting era.

Why the Class 141 DMUs Matter

  • First production Pacer → foundation for Classes 142, 143, 144
  • Demonstrates BR’s 1980s low‑cost engineering philosophy
  • Rare surviving examples make it a key preservation target

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Preserved LocomotivesHOMEPAGE for all of Phil and Molly's PicsMy Archive Steam Photos from the 1960s

docspics images photos photographs pictures © Dr Phil Brown * Treyn Railway Holidays to France, Italy and Spain from Class 141 DMU railbus trains Booking tickets for Great Railway Journey luxury Rail Trip holidays Train travel in Europe Rail holidays from Class 141 DMU railbus trains to the USA & Canada luxury train through the Rocky Mountain Canadian rail railway holidays through the Rockies US Cities by train from Class 141 DMU railbus trains  Continental rail holidays to France Germany Italy Austria Switzerland Glacier Express Treyn Holidays from Class 141 DMU railbus trains from Eurostar to Paris Brussels Avignon Turin Turino Rome Roma Florence Firenze TGV fast trains Railway travel holidays special steam excursions from Class 141 DMU railbus trains great steam heritage line and offers luxury Pullman coach dining trains Class 141 DMU railbus trains Travelling by train always seems a pleasure, especially if through wonderful scenery  to Class 141 DMU railbus trains in England, Scotland, Wales or on holiday in the rest of Europe! The railway trip from Class 141 DMU railbus trains involves seeing or travelling behind a 'real' steam locomotive in action and there is nothing like the sight and sounds of a steam train to invoke feelings of nostalgia in some of us to Class 141 DMU railbus trains even more luxury by having a special trip out on a steam dining train! England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland top class hotels in Class 141 DMU railbus trains dining out travel tours top tourist destinations tourist information on Class 141 DMU railbus trains weekend breaks mini-breaks family holidays restaurants touring coach trips from Class 141 DMU railbus trains continental tours cruise ships pleasure cruises summer breaks spring breaks continental winter breaks European winter holidays spring holidays summer holidays European Rail tours Railway travel holidays special steam excursions from Class 141 DMU railbus trains A great steam heritage line and offers luxury Pullman coach dining trains European Rail tours US and Canadian Railway travel holidays special steam excursions to Class 141 DMU railbus trains A great steam heritage line and offers luxury Pullman coach dining trains Travelling by train from Class 141 DMU railbus trains always seems a pleasure, especially if through wonderful scenery either in England, Scotland, Wales or on holiday in the rest of the railways of Europe! The railway trip involves seeing or travelling behind a 'real' steam locomotive or heritage diesel in action on a special trip from Class 141 DMU railbus trains Booking Eurostar Continental Rail Travel Tour Tickets Stuttgart Brussels Eurostar Brussels from Class 141 DMU railbus trains by TGV to Ebbsfleet International, Ashford International Stratford International, St Pancras International Paris Gare du Nord Paris Gare de Lyon Paris Gare de L'est Paris Gare Montparnasse by Eurostar from Class 141 DMU railbus trains London to Paris, Eurostar London - Brussels Eurostar London to Lille deals bargain city breaks Great Railway Journey holidays in Italy, Spain and France by TGV booking from Class 141 DMU railbus trains

Good trainspotting 'TRAINSPOTS' Good trainspotting and photographic locations  Barnetby Station, North Lincolnshire  *  Carlisle Station  *  Clapham Junction Station, London  *  Colton Junction, south of York  *  Crewe Station  *  Doncaster Station, South Yorkshire  * Hellifield station - Carlisle to Settle line * Lancaster station  * Newcastle Station  *  Northallerton Station  *  Nuneaton Station  *  Sheffield Station  *  Stratford Station, East London * Warrington Bank Quay station * Wigan North Western - WCML *  York Station

See Also TOPS classes * Class 01 * Class 02 * Class 03 * Class 04 * Class 08 * Class 09 * Class 10 * Class 11 * Class 14 * Class 20 * Class 24 * Class 25 * Class 26 * Class 27 * Class 31 * Class 33 * Class 37 * Class 40 * Class 43 * Class 44 * Class 45 * Class 47 * Class 50 * Class 52 * Class 55 * Class 56 * Class 57 * Class 60 * Class 66 * Class 67 * Class 68 * Class 70 * Class 71 * Class 73 * Class 76 * Class 77 * Class 86 * Class 87 * Class 90 * Class 91 * Class 92 * Class 101 * Class 108 * Class 114 * Class 117 * Class 121 * Class 127 * Class 141 * Class 142 * Class 144 * Class 150 * Class 153 * Class 155 * Class 156 * Class 158 * Class 159 * Class 165 * Class 166 * Class 170 * Class 175 * Class 180 * Class 185 * Class 220 * Class 221 * Class 222 * Class 252 * Class 313 * Class 315 * Class 317 * Class 319 * Class 320 * Class 321 * Class 322 * Class 323 * Class 325 * Class 332 * Class 333 * Class 334 * Class 350 * Class 357 * Class 360 * Class 365 * Class 373 * Class 375 * Class 376 * Class 377 * Class 378 * Class 379 * Class 380 * Class 387 * Class 390 * Class 395 * Class 414 * Class 423 * Class 442 * Class 444 * Class 450 * Class 455 * Class 458 * Class 460 * Class 465 * Class 466 * Class 507/508 * Class 3000 *

IMAGES OF PRESERVED STEAM LOCOMOTIVES

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