From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| British Rail Class 123 |
| In service |
1963- |
| Manufacturer |
BR Swindon Works |
| Number built |
1963 |
| Formation |
unknown |
| Operator |
British Rail |
| Specifications |
| Car length |
64 ft 11 1/4 in |
| Width |
9 ft 3 in |
| Height |
12 ft 9 1/2 in |
| Maximum speed |
70 mph (112 km/h) |
| Weight |
41 tons 14 cwt |
The Class 123 was a design of Diesel Multiple Unit built for British Rail in 1963. They were built by British Rail at Swindon Works, and designed like all Swindon units as inter-city sets. Ten of the four-car sets were built and introduced in 1963. The units bear a visible similarity to the British Rail Class 309, however there is no 'relation' here as the two types were built by different manufacturers for different markets.
It should be noted that the Class 123's structure and internal construction have much more in common with BR coaching stock (British Rail Mark 1) than they do with other DMU classes. The carriage's underframes are longer and the end gangways are built to a different style. It was also unusual for a first-generation DMU to sport a front end gangway. None of these units survive today.
