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British Rail Class 165
The highly successful and enduring Class 165 "Networker Turbo" was ordered in 1989 and built by British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) at York Works between 1990 and 1992. A total of 76 of these wide-bodied, aluminium diesel multiple units (DMUs) were produced, comprising 39 units for the Chiltern lines and 37 for the Thames Valley. Designed to completely modernize London's suburban diesel services under Network SouthEast, they replaced aging, first-generation slam-door trains with a breath of fresh air, featuring automated doors, rapid acceleration, and advanced safety equipment. More than three decades later, their outstanding reliability means that almost the entire original fleet remains in intensive everyday service with Chiltern Railways and Great Western Railway.
This profile pays homage to arguably the most successful, reliable, and revolutionising suburban diesel multiple unit ever built for British rails!
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