Description
These units are a modification of the Class 165 design. They have a top speed of 90 mph (145 km/h) (suitable for mainline use), are carpeted throughout and have air-conditioning. Externally, the class 166 can be distinguished from a Class 165 by having a first class section at each end of the train, and opening hoppers on every other window.
Other differences over a 165 are as follows:
- Air conditioning
- Two toilets (a 165 only has one toilet per unit)
- Tables in first class and in one third of the middle carriage
- Dedicated cycle/luggage storage in the middle carriage
- Different interior panelling between the door and seating areas
Twenty-one 3-car units were built, numbered 166201-221. Each unit was formed of two outer driving motors, and an intermediate motor. The technical description of the formation is DMCL+MS+DMCL. Individual carriages are numbered as follows:
- 58101-58121 - DMCO
- 58601-58621 - MSO
- 58122-58142 - DMCO
The units were built to replace elderly Class 117, Class 119 and Class 121 "Heritage" DMUs, and locomotive-hauled trains on services from London Paddington along the Great Western Main Line.
Six cars were added to the original order in 1991 after Network SouthEast acquired some of the Cotswold Line line services from Regional Railways to allow Class 158 units to be converted to Class 159s for the West of England services.
Class 166 units were some of the first trains in Britain to be designed for Driver Only Operation, in cases where a Guard is required they must carry out their door operation duties via a bell system to signal the Drivers to close doors and start the train. This requires the Guard to return to a vacant cab at each station to carry out these duties, examples of this First Great Western services on the Cotswold Line.
Read more about this topic: British Rail Class 166
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