A diesel powered class 127 operating under the wires in 1983. The class 127 units operated one of the most intensive passenger services worked by diesel multiple units and, by the late 1970s, it was clear they needed replacing.

The British Rail Class 127 diesel multiple units were built by BR Derby in 1959. Thirty 4-car units were built, formed of two outer driving motor vehicles, sandwiching two intermediate trailers.

The class 127 DMUs were built at Derby in the late 1950s (30 4 car sets) they were designed for intensive use on the midland mainline between Bedford and the London terminus of St Pancras, this service is believed to be the most intensive diesel powered commuter service to ever run on the UK network.

The Class 127 is based on a British Rail (BR) Class 127 diesel–hydraulic multiple unit. Over thirty sets of this class were built in 1959, with six of these units preserved by heritage railways.

Thirty of these sets were built, each formed of two x DMBS, one TS and one TSL. They were high density sets with no gangway connections, with seats for 352 2nd class passengers, later reduced to 348. Rarely venturing from the intensively worked St. Pancras to Bedford line, this earned them the name Bed-Pan units.

The British Rail Class 127 diesel multiple units were built by BR Derby in 1959. Thirty 4-car units were built, formed of two outer driving motor vehicles, sand...

The British Rail Class 127 diesel multiple units were built by BR Derby in 1959. Thirty 4-car units were built, formed of two outer driving motor vehicles, sandwiching two intermediate trailers which were classified class 186.

Now preserved at the Midland Railway Butterley, it is being rebuilt back to a passenger vehicle. The British Rail Class 127 diesel multiple units were built by BR Derby in 1959. Thirty 4-car units were built, formed of two outer driving motor vehicles, sandwiching two intermediate trailers which were classified class 186. [citation needed]

The Class 127s were an interesting mix of standard and non standard components. In appearance they were built to standard Derby designs but were mechanically very different to other DMUs, having unusual hydraulic transmission and larger engines.

It was used to celebrate 50 years of the class in 2009. Comprising of two power cars, DMBS 51622 (nearest the camera) and DMBS 51616, each powered by a Rolls Royce 8 cylinder horizontal engine giving 238 hp, the DMU has been restored to a very high standard by Liam Tinsley and Martin Cooper.