British Rail Class 423
| British Rail Class 423 | |
|---|---|
Class 423/1, no. 3445 at Waterloo East on 8 February 2003, with a service to Charing Cross. This unit is painted in Connex South Eastern livery.
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| In service | 1967-2005 |
| Manufacturer | British Rail |
| Order number |
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| Built at | |
| Number built | 194 |
| Formation | 4 car per trainset: DTCsoL+MBSO+TSO+DTCsoL |
| Diagram |
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| Fleet numbers |
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| Operator(s) |
Connex South Eastern South Eastern Trains Network Southeast InterCity Southern Connex South Central South West Trains |
| Depot(s) | |
| Specifications | |
| Car length | 20.3 m (66 ft 7 in) |
| Width | 9 ft 3 in (2.82 m) |
| Height | 12 ft 9 1⁄4 in (3.893 m) |
| Maximum speed | 90 mph (140 km/h) |
| Weight | Total - 36F/266S (?) |
| Traction motors | (?) |
| Power output | 1,000 hp (750 kW) |
| Electric system(s) | 750 V DC third rail |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
The British Rail Class 423 (or 4Vep (Vestibuled Electro-Pneumatic brake)) electrical multiple units were built by British Rail (BR) at York Works from 1967 to 1974, although the MBSOs and TSOs of the first 20, 7701-7720, were constructed at Derby Works. They feature manually opening doors next to every seating row and were the last coaching stock built in this pattern for BR. They were mostly found working outer suburban services in South London, and rural services in Kent and Sussex, up to 2005 when they were finally replaced by Electrostar and Desiro units. The fleet had a lifespan of 38 years.
194 standard four-car units were built between 1967 and 1974, numbered 7701-7894. They were subsequently renumbered in the 1980s into the 30xx and 31xx series, in order to make numbers TOPS compliant. Between 1988 and 1990 the units were internally facelifted. The work involved fitting fluorescent lighting and public address equipment, and also rebuilding the MBS (motor brake second) vehicles with an additional two bays of seating in space formerly used for luggage. On refurbishment only the first 20 units were renumbered in order, in the 34xx series. All other units were renumbered from 3421 onwards, in the order they were refurbished. All units ended up swapping motor vehicles on refurbishment - the additional work on these cars made the work take longer than that carried out on trailer vehicles.
In 1968, due to a shortage of suitable stock for the Bournemouth electrification scheme, BR formed an eight-carriage 8Vab unit, no. 8001. The unit was formed of carriages from three standard sets, nos. 7739/41/42, plus a conventional locomotive-hauled buffet carriage. Three MBSOs were required within the make-up as the standard 'TRB' was not through-wired for traction power distribution. In view of this the two MBSOs in the five-car portion had collector shoes fitted to one bogie on each. The unit worked on occasions with a 4-TC; this usually had a Class 33 attached to provide ETH and train lighting. in the TC unit as the 8-VAB was not fitted with ETH jumper cables on the unit ends. Its normal running formation was with another 4-VEP to make a 12-car set. The 'TRB' vehicle retained its gas-powered appliances so, unlike 4-REP buffet cars, was able to provide hot food and beverages while on diversions away from third-rail areas. Adjacent MBSO 62203 had most of its doors locked out of use and tables fitted across them for the service of meals on a 2-and-2 basis (across seats intended for five persons normally); this vehicle also had most of its luggage racks removed. The unit was later reclassified as Class 480 following the introduction of TOPS.
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