Driving Van Trailer
A Driving Van Trailer is a purpose-built control car railway vehicle that allows the driver to operate with a locomotive in push-pull formation from the opposite end of a train. Trains operating with a DVT consequently do not need the locomotive to be moved around to the other end of the train at terminal stations. Unlike many other control cars, DVTs resemble locomotives and thus when the train is operating in push mode, it does not appear to be travelling backwards. The vehicles do not have any passenger accommodation due to health and safety rules in place at the time of building that prohibited passengers in the leading carriages of trains that run faster than. Historically, it was believed that a train would be unstable at high speeds unless pulled from the front but extensive testing, and the experience of high speed trains with central power cars such as the British Rail APT and the Eurostar, have altered this view.
Development
The DVT concept is similar to the Mark 2 DBSO but unlike its predecessor, which was rebuilt from existing stock, it was a new build vehicle manufactured specifically for this purpose. The first design of DVT was designed to match Mark 2 and Mark 3 coaches. The second design has a narrower profile, similar to Mark 4 coaches, which would enable it to be converted to tilting operation if required in the future.On the original Mark 3 DVTs, which operated on the West Coast Main Line, they used the RCH jumpers to carry the signals therefore allowing the same cables to be used for lighting and the public address system, as well as driver-guard signalling. The and locomotives had to be retrofitted with RCH cables, replacing the older in-class only multiple working jumpers.
On the InterCity 225 sets operating on the East Coast Main Line, the Mark 4 DVTs and locomotives operate in push-pull formation utilising a time-division multiplexer to send control signals along specially screened cables which run the length of the train. The locomotives usually face away from London, only being changed occasionally in rare circumstances.
When a train is operated by a DVT, the control signals are encoded and multiplexed onto the cables by the TDM equipment in the DVT. At the locomotive, these signals are demultiplexed by the TDM equipment, and the signals are used to control the locomotive. The air braking system is operated directly from whichever cab the driver is driving from. If the TDM fails and cannot be reconfigured, the train may still operate, but if the DVT is leading, it will be necessary to uncouple the locomotive and attach it to the front of the train.
In addition to the driver's cab, some DVTs have luggage and cycle storage space and a guard's office. One DVT was fitted with a traction gel applicator. A number of Mark 3 DVTs have been fitted with generators to provide power to on-train equipment. One has been fitted with traction equipment, becoming the experimental Class 19 locomotive.
Mark 3 DVT
InterCity West Coast
's Derby Litchurch Lane Works built 52 Mark 3 DVTs to operate with Mark 2 and Mark 3 sets in push-pull mode with 86, 87 and 90 class locomotives on InterCity West Coast Main Line services from London Euston to Wolverhampton, Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow allowing the retirement of the 81, 82, 83, 84 and 85 class locomotives. The standard practice was for the DVT to be marshaled at the southern end, adjacent to the first class carriages. The first was delivered in March 1989.They also operated between Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury, and between Crewe and Holyhead hauled by Class 47 diesel locomotives. Because these locomotives were not fitted with push-pull equipment, the 47s always operated leading.
As part of the privatisation of British Rail, all 52 were sold to Porterbrook in 1994 and were operated by InterCity West Coast franchise holder Virgin Trains West Coast from 1997 until the Mark 2 and Mark 3 sets were replaced by Class 390s between 2003 and 2005. In 2002, Mark 3 DVTs operated beyond the West Coast Main Line on a summer Saturday service from Manchester to Paignton with a Class 47 hauled Mark 3 set that was hired to Virgin CrossCountry.
Greater Anglia
Mark 3 DVTs were introduced along with Mark 3 and Class 90s to the Greater Anglia franchise by National Express East Anglia operating on the Great Eastern Main Line from London Liverpool Street to Norwich in 2004. They also were hauled by Class 47s fron Norwich to Great Yarmouth on summer Saturday services. It was proposed that kitchens be fitted to the DVTs, but this did not proceed. All passed with the franchise to Abellio Greater Anglia in 2012 and remained in service until replaced by Class 745s in 2019. The standard practice was for the DVT to be marshaled at the eastern end, adjacent to the economy class carriages.Silverlink
From September 2004 until July 2005, Silverlink operated two DVTs in conjunction with Mark 3 and EWS Class 90s on peak hour London Euston to Northampton.DB Cargo UK
purchased DVT 82146 to operate as part of its DB Cargo Company Train that was launched in December 2004.Hull Trains
In January 2008, DVT 82115 was hired to Hull Trains to operate services on the East Coast Main Line from London King's Cross to Doncaster with a set of Cargo-D Mark 3s while it was short of rolling stock.Wrexham & Shropshire
started operating push-pull services with DVTs in October 2008 between London Marylebone and Wrexham General with Mark 3s and Class 67 diesel locomotives following the start of the service in April 2008 with Class 67s operating in top and tail formation. The DVTs required modification to work with the Class 67, involving adding a notched power controller as is used in the locomotive and a 27 wire jumper cable as used on the locomotives which is known as the AAR Multiple Working system. They were renumbered 82301 to 82305.With the reduction in service levels from December 2010, a Mark 3 set was hired to Chiltern Railways to operate a Birmingham Moor Street to London Marylebone peak-hour service. The standard practice was for the DVT to be marshaled at the southern end.
Chiltern Railways
After Wrexham & Shropshire ceased in January 2011, its fleet of five DVTs were transferred to fellow DB Regio UK company Chiltern Railways and started operating on London Marylebone to Birmingham Snow Hill services with Mark 3s. They were modified to work with the power doors that were fitted to the Mark 3 coaches and to have a generator fitted to enable Electric Train Supply and compressed air to be provided to the coaches when the locomotive is not running, such as when in a terminus station and when stabled. Initially operated with Class 67s, since December 2014 they have operated with Class 68s. Some peak services were extended to Kidderminster. A sixth DVT was leased to operate with a Mark 3 set on a peak hour service from London Marylebone to Banbury. The standard practice is for the DVT to be marshaled at the southern end.Network Rail
In early 2013, several DVTs, including 82111, 82115, 82129 and 82145 were acquired by Network Rail and modified to work with diesel locomotives for use on test trains. Part of the modification work includes the integration of a diesel generator to provide power for on-board systems.Wales & Borders
In March 2012, three DVTs were introduced along with Mark 3s and Class 67s on Arriva Trains Wales' Premier Service from Holyhead to Cardiff. They also operate on services from Crewe and Manchester to Holyhead and Llandudno. All passed with the Wales & Borders franchise to Transport for Wales Rail in October 2018 and are scheduled to be replaced in 2020.Fleet list
| Original Number | New Number | Name | Operator / Owner | Livery | Status | Notes | Picture |
| 82101 | - | 101 Squadron‡ | Direct Rail Services | Virgin Trains West Coast | Stored | Stored at Railway Technical Centre, Derby, no longer Network Rail registered | |
| 82102 | - | - | - | - | Scrapped | Scrapped by Sims, Newport May 2020 | |
| 82103 | - | - | - | - | Scrapped | Fitted with experimental rail adhesion system, scrapped by Sims, Newport May 2020 | |
| 82104 | 82309 | - | Chiltern Railways | Chiltern Railways Mainline | In service | Fitted with ETS Generator | |
| 82105 | - | - | - | - | Scrapped | Scrapped by Sims, Newport May 2020 | |
| 82106 | - | - | - | - | Scrapped | Scrapped by CF Booth, Rotherham February 2019 | |
| 82107 | - | - | - | Greater Anglia | Stored | ||
| 82108 | 82308 | - | Transport for Wales | Arriva Trains Wales | In service | ||
| 82109 | - | - | - | - | Scrapped | ||
| 82110 | - | - | - | Virgin Trains West Coast | Scrapped | Scrapped by CF Booth, Rotherham in 2019 Cab saved | |
| 82111 | - | - | Network Rail | Network Rail yellow | In service | Modified for use on test trains | |
| 82112 | - | - | - | Greater Anglia | Preserved | Owned by the Mid-Norfolk Railway. | |
| 82113 | 19001 | - | - | Blue | Other use | Converted to experimental vehicle at Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway. | |
| 82114 | - | - | Northampton & Lamport Railway | Greater Anglia | Preserved | Preserved at the Northampton & Lamport Railway, will be fitted with an ETS Generator.Owned by the Northampton & Lamport Railway Charitable Incorporated Organisation | |
| 82115 | - | Liverpool John Moores University‡ | - | BR Blue | Stored | Stored at Leicester | |
| 82116 | - | - | - | - | Scrapped | Scrapped by CF Booth, Rotherham after store at Long Marston | |
| 82117 | 82301 | - | Chiltern Railways | Chiltern Railways Mainline | In service | Fitted with ETS Generator | |
| 82118 | - | Britannia‡ | Crewe Heritage Centre | Greater Anglia | Preserved | Donated for static display | |
| 82119 | - | - | - | - | Scrapped | Scrapped at MoD Caerwent, 2005, due to extensive corrosion | |
| 82120 | - | Liverpool Chamber of Commerce‡ | - | - | Scrapped | Scrapped by CF Booth, Rotherham after store at Long Marston | |
| 82121 | - | Carlisle Cathedral‡ | Colne Valley Railway | Greater Anglia | Preserved | Preserved at Colne Valley Railway | |
| 82122 | - | - | - | - | Scrapped | Scrapped by CF Booth, Rotherham in 2019 | |
| 82123 | - | - | - | - | Scrapped | Scrapped by CF Booth, Rotherham in 2019 | |
| 82124 | - | The Girls' Brigade‡ | Network Rail | Network Rail yellow | In service | Modified for use on test trains | |
| 82125 | - | - | Private Owner | Virgin Trains West Coast | Preserved | Used as a hauled carriage since 2019 at the Mid Norfolk Railway | |
| 82126 | - | Wembley Traincare Depot‡ | Direct Rail Services | Virgin Trains West Coast silver | Stored | Stored at Railway Technical Centre, Derby, no longer Network Rail registered | |
| 82127 | - | Abraham Darby‡ | Locomotive Services Limited | Greater Anglia | Stored | ||
| 82128 | - | - | - | - | Scrapped | Scrapped by CF Booth, Rotherham December 2012 | |
| 82129 | - | - | Network Rail | Network Rail yellow | In service | Modified for use on test trains | |
| 82130 | 82304 | - | Chiltern Railways | Chiltern Railways Mainline | In service | Fitted with ETS Generator | |
| 82131 | 82307 | - | Transport for Wales | Arriva Trains Wales | In service | . | |
| 82132 | - | West Midlands Industry '96‡ | - | - | Scrapped | Scrapped by Sims, Newport May 2020 | |
| 82133 | - | - | - | Greater Anglia | Stored | ||
| 82134 | 82305 | - | Chiltern Railways | Chiltern Railways Mainline | In service | Fitted with ETS Generator | |
| 82135 | 82303 | Spirit of Cumbria‡ | Chiltern Railways | Chiltern Railways Mainline | In service | Fitted with ETS Generator | |
| 82136 | - | - | - | Greater Anglia | Preserved | Owned by the Mid-Norfolk Railway | |
| 82137 | - | - | - | - | Scrapped | Scrapped by CF Booth, Rotherham after store at Long Marston | |
| 82138 | - | - | - | Virgin Trains West Coast | Stored | Stored at Long Marston, no longer Network Rail registered | |
| 82139 | - | - | Locomotive Services Limited | Greater Anglia | Stored | ||
| 82140 | - | - | - | - | Scrapped | Scrapped by CF Booth, Rotherham January 2015 | |
| 82141 | - | - | - | - | Scrapped | Scrapped by CF Booth, Rotherham after store at Long Marston | |
| 82142 | - | - | - | - | Scrapped | ||
| 82143 | - | - | Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service | Greater Anglia | Other use | Training vehicle for fire-fighters | |
| 82144 | 82306 | - | Transport for Wales | Arriva Trains Wales | In service | ||
| 82145 | - | - | Network Rail | Network Rail yellow | In service | Modified for use on test trains | |
| 82146 | - | - | DB Cargo UK | DB Cargo UK silver | In service | ||
| 82147 | - | The Red Devils‡ | - | - | Scrapped | ||
| 82148 | - | International Spring Fair‡ | - | - | Scrapped | Scrapped by CF Booth, Rotherham after store at Long Marston | |
| 82149 | - | 101 Squadron‡ | Fire Service College, Moreton-in-Marsh | Virgin Trains West Coast | Other use | Training vehicle for fire-fighters at Fire Service College, Moreton-in-Marsh | |
| 82150 | - | - | - | Virgin Trains West Coast | Stored | Stored at Long Marston, no longer Network Rail registered | |
| 82151 | 82302 | - | Chiltern Railways | Chiltern Railways Mainline | In service | Fitted with ETS Generator. | |
| 82152 | - | - | - | - | Scrapped | Scrapped by Sims, Newport May 2020 |
- ‡ - DVT has been denamed
Mark 4 DVT
InterCity East Coast
All entered service with InterCity. As part of the privatisation of British Rail, all 32 were sold to Eversholt Rail Group in 1994 and were operated by successive InterCity East Coast franchise holders GNER, National Express East Coast, East Coast, Virgin Trains East Coast and LNER. In February 2001, 82221 was damaged in the Great Heck rail crash and subsequently scrapped. The standard practice is for the DVT to be marshaled at the southern end, adjacent to the first class carriages.With the delivery of Class 801s, mass withdrawals commenced in May 2019. Originally it was proposed that all the InterCity 225 sets be withdrawn by the end of 2020, but LNER decided to retain 10 sets until at least December 2021 to allow it to increase services.
Grand Central
From 2021, Grand Central will begin using Mk4 coaches and DVTs on London Euston to Blackpool North services with Class 90 locomotives hauling six-carriage sets.Transport for Wales
is scheduled to introduce three four-car Mark 4 sets with Mark 4 DVTs on the Premier Service from Holyhead to Cardiff in 2020.Grand Union
has proposed using Class 91 locomotives with Mk4 coaches and DVTs on its services from London Paddington to Cardiff Central and from London Euston to Stirling.Fleet list
| Number | Name | Operator | Livery | Status | Notes | Image |
| 82200 | Grand Central | Grand Central | Stored | Was involved in the Hatfield rail crash. | ||
| 82201 | Grand Central | LNER | Stored | |||
| 82202 | LNER | LNER | Stored | |||
| 82203 | LNER | LNER | Stored | |||
| 82204 | LNER | LNER | Stored | Stored at Harry Needle Railroad Company, Worksop | ||
| 82205 | LNER | LNER/Flying Scotsman | Stored | |||
| 82206 | LNER | LNER | Stored | Stored at Harry Needle Railroad Company, Worksop | ||
| 82207 | LNER | LNER | Stored | Stored at Harry Needle Railroad Company, Worksop | ||
| 82208 | LNER | LNER | In service | |||
| 82209 | LNER | LNER | Stored | |||
| 82210 | LNER | LNER | Stored | |||
| 82211 | LNER | LNER | In service | |||
| 82212 | LNER | LNER | In service | |||
| 82213 | LNER | LNER | In service | |||
| 82214 | LNER | LNER | In service | |||
| 82215 | LNER | LNER | In service | |||
| 82216 | LNER | LNER | Stored | Stored at Harry Needle Railroad Company, Worksop | ||
| 82217 | Off to the Races‡ | LNER | LNER | Scrapped | Scrapped at Sims Metal Management, Hull July 2020 | |
| 82218 | LNER | LNER | Stored | Stored at Harry Needle Railroad Company, Worksop | ||
| 82219 | Duke of Edinburgh‡ | LNER | LNER | Stored | Stored at Harry Needle Railroad Company, Worksop | |
| 82220 | LNER | LNER | Stored | |||
| 82221 | - | - | Scrapped | Scrapped after colliding with a coal train in the Great Heck rail crash on 28 February 2001 | ||
| 82222 | LNER | LNER | Stored | Stored at Harry Needle Railroad Company, Worksop | ||
| 82223 | LNER | LNER | In service | |||
| 82224 | LNER | LNER | Stored | |||
| 82225 | LNER | LNER | In service | |||
| 82226 | Transport for Wales | Transport for Wales | Stored | Stored at Cardiff Canton | ||
| 82227 | Grand Central | Grand Central | Stored | Stored | ||
| 82228 | LNER | LNER | Stored | Stored at Harry Needle Railroad Company, Worksop | ||
| 82229 | Transport for Wales | Transport for Wales | Stored | |||
| 82230 | Grand Central | LNER | Stored | |||
| 82231 | LNER | LNER | Stored | Stored at Harry Needle Railroad Company, Worksop |
- ‡ - DVT has been denamed
Mark 5 DVT
Mark 5A DT
The new Mark 5A coaches are built with a control car, which is classified as a Driving Trailer rather than a Driving Van Trailer. They were tested at the Velim test track in the Czech Republic with the intention to enter service with TransPennine Express, operating with the Driving Trailer at one end and a Class 68 locomotive powering the other end. The first set entered service on 24 August 2019 on the Liverpool Lime Street to Scarborough route, under the brand name Nova 3.Accidents and incidents
DVTs have been involved in very few accidents.- Hatfield rail crash involving DVT 82200.
- Great Heck rail crash, February 2001. 82221 was withdrawn after major damage to the DVT.