Skip to main content

Rail Coaches

Volume 201: debated on Friday 20 December 1991

The text on this page has been created from Hansard archive content, it may contain typographical errors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will state the longitudinal crushing strength of the pacer, sprinter, type 144, HST and 225 type coaches in use on British Railways; and if he will make a statement.

The longitudinal loads specified for mainline and multiple unit coaches at various heights above rail level are set out in the table. All new design of body shell are tested to verify their performance before entering service.

Load (tonnes)
HeightMainline1 coachesMultiple2 units
Buffer-coupler height200150
Waist height (below windows)3030
Cant height (join between body sides and roof)3030
1 Includes HST (Mark III) and C225 (Mark IV) coaches.
2 Includes Pacers (including Class 144) and Sprinters.