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SR Class CP

LB&SCR Crystal Palace stock
Manufacturer Metropolitan Amalgamated Carriage and Wagon Co. Ltd., LBSC Lancing Carriage Works
Constructed 1911–1913
Number built 34 sets
Formation 3-car sets: DTC-DMBT-DTC
Capacity 3-car-set: 48 First, 170 Third
Specifications
Car length 57 ft 7 12 in (17.56 m)
Width 8 ft (2 m)
Weight DMBT: 51.30 long tons (52.1 t)
DTC: 24 long tons (24.4 t)
Traction motors Four Winter Eichberg of 150 hp (112 kW) each
Power output 600 hp (447 kW)
Electric system(s) 6.7 kV AC overhead line
Current collection method Bow collector
UIC classification 2′2′+B′B′+2′2′
Track gauge 4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge

The Southern Railway (SR) gave the designation CP to the fleet of AC electric multiple units used on the former London, Brighton and South Coast Railway lines in the Crystal Palace area.

The CP (Crystal Palace stock) units were built in 1911-1913 to provide the electric train stock required for the LBSCR AC overhead electrification to Crystal Palace and the surrounding area. This stock comprised some 90 cars, which were used in three-car formations, usually (Driving Trailer Composite+Driving Motor Brake Third+Driving Trailer Composite).

Thirty motor coaches and 30 driving trailers were built by the Metropolitan Amalgamated Carriage and Wagon Co. Ltd. in 1911. Each motor coach had four 150 horsepower (110 kW) Winter Eichberg motors. A further 26 driving trailers were built at the LBSC's Lancing Carriage Works. In 1912, four additional motor and trailer pairs were delivered by MAC&W’s successor, the Metropolitan Carriage, Wagon and Finance Company. Lancing Works built eight more trailers the following year.

After the replacement of the AC overhead equipment by the 660 V DC third rail system adopted as standard by the SR, the carriages that formed these units were rebuilt accordingly.

The LB&SCR originally did not buy sufficient stock for 30 sets, on the grounds that the trailers cars would be quicker to overhaul than the motor cars. Fixed formations were not used, and as the Motor cars had cabs, the CP stock could be used in trains of two to six vehicles.



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