Does anyone know when the LEV1 prototype was withdrawn ?

[Justin Smith]

I think I'd go with Alistair Gilchrist who was Head of Mechanical Engineering Research second in command to the Director of Research.

Good answer I think......

The RWM of Aug 1978 (p407) does state the length of the unpowered LEV to be 20ft which is only 10cm shorter than the quoted figure for the powered LEV. One assumes the additional coupling complication could easily account for that anyway.

One other significant comment in that same RWM article, and I quote :

BR states that a lightweight vehicle of this kind is unlikely to replace the present development of electric and diesel powered multiple-unit vehicles to which the Board is comitted.

Unless one accepts that the Class 140 is not "of the same kind" then one senses a pig based pastry covered snack......

 

[Wyvern]

Umm yes. The Research and the CM&EE were not the most comfortable bedfellows.

According to Gilchrist BREL were developing the 140 at the same time.

The Class 141 incorporated what had been learntf rom the R3 and was more successful

 

[Justin Smith]

Umm yes. The Research and the CM&EE were not the most comfortable bedfellows.

According to Gilchrist BREL were developing the 140 at the same time.

The Class 141 incorporated what had been learnt from the R3 and was more successful

......."more" being a relative word of course......

 

[WillPS]

At least they've got rid of the 141s. The 142s, which weren't that much better, are all still in service with no indication of when they will finally be scrapped.