The Class 117 suburban units were effectively a Class 116 but licence-built by Pressed Steel as Derby Works were already at capacity. Used on BR Western Region for suburban work out of London Paddington, they were mostly based at Reading and Southall depots.

As newer traction was introduced in the capital, the 117s were relocated to the Midlands and Scotland with some later going on to be used by Network South-East. Many of the Class which were relocated to Regional Railways In the late 1980s were treated to refurbishments, performed at Tyseley.

Although in dwindling numbers, the 117s were still in use into 2000 but were later replaced by Class 150 Sprinters on the Silverlink work they had been covering. The class is well represented in Preservation with more than 20 Motor vehicles and 15 Trailer Cars still surviving.

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