British Rail Class 460
| British Rail Class 460 Juniper | |
|---|---|
Gatwick Express Alstom Class 460 Juniper 460002 passes through East Croydon non stop with a service bound for Gatwick Airport
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The interior of Standard Class aboard a Gatwick Express Class 460 EMU
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| In service | 2000 - 2012 |
| Manufacturer | Alstom |
| Family name | Juniper |
| Replaced |
Class 488 Class 489 Class 73 |
| Constructed | 1999 - 2001 |
| Number built | 8 trainsets |
| Formation | 8 carriages per trainset |
| Fleet numbers | 460001 - 460008 |
| Operator(s) |
Southern (Gatwick Express) |
| Specifications | |
| Maximum speed | 100 mph (161 km/h) |
| Power output | 2,700 kW (3,600 hp) |
| Electric system(s) | 750 V DC (third rail) |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
Class 460 (or 8Gat) was the designation of a fleet of 8-car British electric multiple-unit trains built by Alstom at Washwood Heath in 1999-01. They were part of Alstom's "Juniper" family, which also includes the 334 and 458 classes.
From their introduction until the final units were withdrawn in September 2012, they operated Gatwick Express services between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport. All have since been converted to class 458/5 units (other than four surplus driving vehicles used as spares donors) for operation by South West Trains.
When National Express won the Gatwick Express franchise, part of the agreement was to replace the ageing Class 73/2 locomotives, British Rail Class 488 coaching stock, and Class 489 motor luggage vans. Therefore, an order was placed with Alstom for the construction of eight Class 460 units.
Deliveries of the new units began in 2000. The units featured sloping cab-ends, which earned them the nickname "Darth Vaders" among rail enthusiasts. A Juniper coupler is located under the removable nose cone although only intended for emergency use.
Each 8-car unit was formed of a driving motor luggage van, two intermediate 1st-class/composite trailers, two intermediate 2nd-class motor carriages, an intermediate 2nd-class trailer, another 2nd-class motor carriage, and a 2nd-class driving motor (DMLFO+TFO+TCO+MSO+MSO+TSO+MSO+DMSO).
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