The British Rail Class 127 diesel multiple units were built by BR Derby in 1959.

Thirty 4-car units were built, formed of two outer driving motor vehicles, sandwiching two intermediate trailers which were classified class 186.

The class 127 units should have been withdrawn by 1982, however, delays with the new trains meant they had to struggle on in service until July 1983.

[1] From early 1983, they had commenced operations on the Gospel Oak to Barking line at first running in three-car then finally two-car formations from November 1983 with just the two power cars.

Subsequently, many trailer vehicles saw further use in combination with Class 116 units, based at Tyseley depot in Birmingham.