Thanks to Mac Winfield, Ian Fleming  and John Thomlinson for much of the information on this Class.

Class 116 Derby 3 - car sets

The Western Region Dieselisation Scheme, issued in 1955, included plans for the use of diesel cars on suburban and local lines in the Birmingham area, which led to this class being ordered, which eventually totalled 320 vehicles.

These were first high density sets to be built. They were formed of a DMBS, TC or TS and a DMS and originally accommodated 262 passengers. Built without gangways, these were added in later years, decreasing the seating capacity.

During May ‘57, Derby was producing six cars per week. Completed sets noted in Derby on the 17th April ‘57 were 50051/2, 59001/2 and 50093/4.

A Class 116 car was the 500th diesel railcar to be built at the Derby C&W Works. It was completed in Jan. '58 and featured in publicity pictures (as above).

While most cars went into service in the West Midlands and Wales, remaining there until withdrawal in the '80s, the Class was allocated to all regions over the years except the Southern.

In the '70s some cars were converted for parcels use, running with GUVs sandwiched between power cars. They were later put back to passenger use. In the '80s cars were again designated for parcels use. When the Class was used for parcels use they were generally referred to as Class 130s.

Of the 1,392 vehicles that were built by Derby, it was these cars that outlasted them all in passenger use, the final cars surviving until the mid-nineties. Eleven vehicles are in preservation.