Class 423/1, no. 3810 arriving at London Waterloo on 15th August 2003. This unit was one of the last to carry Network SouthEast livery. It was nick-named the "Great Escape" after it was exported to Germany for a while for testing.

The British Rail Class 423 (or 4Vep) electrical multiple units were built by BR at York Works from 1967-74. Like many Mark 1-based EMUs of the period, these are often nicknamed "slam-door" trains, since the hinged doors are opened and closed manually by passengers joining and alighting. They are mostly found working suburban services in South London, and rural services in Kent and Sussex. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 584 KB)BR Class 423/1, no. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 584 KB)BR Class 423/1, no. ... Facade of Waterloo Station, London Waterloo is a major train station and transport interchange located in the Waterloo district of London, which was itself named after the Battle of Waterloo in which Napoleon was defeated near Brussels. ... A train in NSE livery Network SouthEast (NSE) was a sector of British Rail that principally operated commuter trains in the London area, and was formed in 1986 when BR was sectorised. ... Logo of British Rail British Railways (BR), later rebranded as British Rail, ran the British railway system from the nationalisation of the Big Four British railway companies in 1948 until its privatisation in stages between 1994 and 1997. ... The Southern Railway created numbering and classification systems for its large fleet of Electric multiple units that were perpetuated by the Southern Region of British Rail until the early 1980s, when the impact of TOPS was felt. ... A multiple unit is a passenger train whose carriages have their own motors, either diesel (DMUs) or electric (EMUs), and do not need to be hauled by a locomotive. ... York is a city in northern England, at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss. ... The Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster, which contains Big Ben London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and of England. ... Kent is a county in England, south-east of London. ... Sussex is a traditional county in southern England, divided for administrative purposes into West Sussex and East Sussex and the city of Brighton and Hove. ...

Description

Standard units

194 standard four-car units were built between 1967 and 1974, numbered 7701-7894.

8Vab unit

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 from three standard sets, nos. 7739/41/42, plus a conventional locomotive-hauled buffet carriage. The unit was later reclassified as Class 480 following the introduction of TOPS. Bournemouth is a seaside resort in the county of Dorset on the south coast of England. ... The Southern Railway created numbering and classification systems for its large fleet of Electric multiple units that were perpetuated by the Southern Region of British Rail until the early 1980s, when the impact of TOPS was felt. ... This article is about the railroad stock management system TOPS. For the DEC PDP-10 operating systems, see TOPS-10 and TOPS-20 The Total Operations Processing System, better known by its initials TOPS, is a computer system for managing the locomotives and rolling stock (railroad cars) owned by a...

The unit was disbanded in 1974, following deliveries of 4Rep stock, with the three units regaining their original formation and numbers.

4Veg units

In 1978, twelve units, nos. 7788-7799, were fitted with extra luggage racks, and reclassified as Class 427 4Veg units. The units were renumbered into the range 7901-7912. These units were dedicated to the Gatwick Express services from London Victoria to Gatwick Airport. The Southern Railway created numbering and classification systems for its large fleet of Electric multiple units that were perpetuated by the Southern Region of British Rail until the early 1980s, when the impact of TOPS was felt. ... Victoria station may refer to: London Victoria station Manchester Victoria station Victoria tube station Victoria Station, a restaurant chain which uses real train boxcars as dining rooms. ... Gatwick Airport (IATA Airport Code: LGW, ICAO Airport Code: EGKK) is Londons second airport and the second largest airport in the UK after Heathrow. ...

In 1984, they were replaced on these services by Class 73 electro-diesel locomotives operating in push-pull with Class 488 coaching sets and Class 489 luggage vans. The twelve units were then converted back to standard set, and regained their original unit numbers. The second batch of 43 locomotives were built later by Vulcan Foundry from 1965-1967, and were classified as Class JB. They were numbered in the range E6007-E6049. ... Push-Pull train in Austria Push-pull is a mode of operation for locomotive-hauled trains. ... Class 488/3, no. ... Class 489, no. ...

Vehicle Numbering

The numbering of individual vehicles and details of when units were built are shown in the table below.

Current operations

Following the privatisation of British Rail, the three southern train operators all inherited large fleets of Vep units. The fleet of each franchise is described below.

Class 423/1, no. 3445 at Waterloo East on 8th February 2003, with a service to Charing Cross. This unit is painted in Connex livery.

Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 615 KB)BR Class 423, no. ... Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 615 KB)BR Class 423, no. ... The main entrance of Waterloo Station. ... London Charing Cross railway station. ... Connex is Europes largest private public transport company. ...

South Eastern Trains

Class 423/1, no. 3514 at London Victoria on 29th March 2003. This is the only unit to be painted in Southern's attractive green livery. It is one of the few units still in traffic with Southern, and is to be refurbished with central door locking, and used as a backup vehicle.

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 748 KB)BR Class 423/1, no. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 748 KB)BR Class 423/1, no. ... Victoria Station concourse Victoria station is a London Underground and railway station in London, in the City of Westminster. ... A Southern Class 171 Turbostar on display at the York Railfest exhibition on 3rd June 2004 prior to entering service. ...

South Central / Southern

The South Central division inherited a fleet of 50 standard Class 423/1 units. The franchise was originally won by Connex, who soon applied their yellow and white livery to the fleet. However, following poor levels of service, the franchise was transferred to South Central Trains in 2000, which was later renamed as Southern in 2004. Only one unit, no. 3514 has been repainted in Southern's attractive green livery. Connex is Europes largest private public transport company. ... A Southern Class 171 Turbostar on display at the York Railfest exhibition on 3rd June 2004 prior to entering service. ... This article is about the year 2000. ... A Southern Class 171 Turbostar on display at the York Railfest exhibition on 3rd June 2004 prior to entering service. ... 2004 is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In 1998-1999, whilst still under the control of Connex, 19 units were modified to operate inner suburban South London "Metro" services. The work involved removal of internal compartments and declassification of 1st class seating. The units were reclassified as Class 423/9 (or 4Vop) and renumbered in the range 3901-3919. Due to the lack of first class seating, these units were generally not used on long distance services. 1998 is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ... 1999 is a common year starting on Friday Anno Domini (or the Current Era), and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... The Southern Railway created numbering and classification systems for its large fleet of Electric multiple units that were perpetuated by the Southern Region of British Rail until the early 1980s, when the impact of TOPS was felt. ...

In 2003, with the general run-down of slam-door trains approaching, it was decided to reform some of the 4Vop units by swapping one driving trailer with that from a standard unit. The new hybrid units were reclassified as Class 423/8 (or 4Vip) and renumbered in the range 3813-3844. The logic behind this move was to give all units some 1st-class seating, thus making diagramming of units easier. However, in the event, only eight units were reformed, namely nos. 3813/14/21/22/41-44. 2003 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Southern Railway created numbering and classification systems for its large fleet of Electric multiple units that were perpetuated by the Southern Region of British Rail until the early 1980s, when the impact of TOPS was felt. ...

By 2004, Southern had started to introduce new Class 377 "Electrostar" units into service in large numbers. Although first introduced in 2002, this did not initially affect the Class 423 as the older 'Phase 1' Class 421 units were withdrawn first, due to their age and lower seating capacity. However, as more new units entered traffic, the first Class 423 units were withdrawn. Units selected for withdrawal were usually those with high-mileage or poor condition. By mid-2005, only a handful of units remained in traffic. The final diagrammed passeger service out of London was the 1717 London Victoria to Eastbourne and Seaford on 19 August 2005, formed of units 3486 and 3535, plus 4Cig 1866. Six units are being retained for emergency cover. 2004 is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Class 377/1, no. ... 2002 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Class 421/3, no. ... 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar and is the current year. ... Eastbourne, as seen from Beachy Head Eastbourne is a medium-sized town in East Sussex, on the south coast of the UK, with a population, according to the 2001 census, of around 90,000. ... Seaford is a town in the county of East Sussex, England, on the south coast, east of Newhaven and west of Eastbourne. ... August 19 is the 231st day of the year (232nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar and is the current year. ... Class 421/3, no. ...

Class 423/1, nos. 3414 and 3419 at London Waterloo on 19th July 2003. These units are painted in South West Trains. They have both since been withdrawn and scrapped.

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 662 KB)BR Class 423/1, nos. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 662 KB)BR Class 423/1, nos. ... Facade of Waterloo Station, London Waterloo is a major train station and transport interchange located in the Waterloo district of London, which was itself named after the Battle of Waterloo in which Napoleon was defeated near Brussels. ... A Class 458 unit at Virginia Water station in April 2004. ...

South West Trains

South West Trains (SWT) inherited the second largest number of units, with an initial fleet size of 62 units. The entire fleet was composed of standard Class 423/1 units. Later, a further four units (nos. 3809-3812) were transferred from Connex South Eastern. These were also standard units, but were numbered in the 38xx series to denote they were leased from Porterbrook rather than HSBC. A Class 458 unit at Virginia Water station in April 2004. ... Porterbrook Leasing Company is one of the three major lessors of railway locomotives, multiple units and coaching stock in the UK. It was formed in 1994 by Abbey National on the privatisation of British Rail. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...

SWT quickly repainted it fleet of units into a new livery, based on the previous Network SouthEast (NSE) livery, but with the addition of an orange stripe and the absence of the grey band. All but four units, namely nos. 3415 and 3809-3811 were repainted. These four units were deliberately retained in NSE livery, meaning in the waning days of slam-door trains, they attained "celebrity" status by rail enthusiasts. A train in NSE livery Network SouthEast (NSE) was a sector of British Rail that principally operated commuter trains in the London area, and was formed in 1986 when BR was sectorised. ... Railfans practicing their hobby at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. ...

In 2003, SWT ordered placed on order for 785 new carriages with Siemens AG to allow it to replace its fleet of slam-door trains. To assist Siemens in the design of third rail units, 4Vep no. 3810 was tranferred to a test site in Germany to undergo tests. Following its return to Britain, it popularly became known as the "Great Escape". 2003 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Siemens AG NYSE: SI is the worlds largest electronics company. ... Third rail at the West Falls Church Metro stop in the Washington, D.C. area, electrified to 750 volts. ...

South West Trains started to replace its slam-door fleet from early-2004, with the introduction of the first Class 444 and Class 450 Desiro units. Around this time, SWT repainted one unit, no. 3417 into its original BR Blue livery to commemorate the final months in traffic of the slam-door fleet. This unit was chosen because it was one of the last to receive major works attention, and therefore had the longest life-expectancy. It was named Gordon Pettitt after a former manager of the Southern Region of British Railways. 2004 is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Class 444, no. ... Class 450 at Woking The British Rail Class 450 third rail DC EMU began service during 2004. ... Desiro is a brand name of modular trains manufactured by Siemens of Germany. ... Rail Blue was one of British Rails corporate colors. ...

In the final months of traffic, several units, including the first-built no. 3401, were reformed in order to allow the vehicles in the best condition to be retained in service. Withdrawals of units picked up pace, with several large culls of units, the last of which occurred in March 2005. Beyond this date, only a handful of units remained in traffic, namely nos. 3401/17/81 3516/20/36/76 and 3811. The final normal passenger service was operated on 26 May 2005 from London Waterloo to Bournemouth, using 4Vep 3536 sandwiched between 4Cig units 1396 and 1398. Following withdrawal, most units were rapidly towed away for scrap. The "celebrity" blue unit, no. 3417 has been retained until at least June 2006 for use of railtours, and for backup. 2005 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December- → Ongoing events • Iraqi legislative election • Bill C-38 (Canada gay marriage) • Tsunami relief • Cedar Revolution in Lebanon • Tulip Revolution in Kyrgyzstan • German Visa Affair 2005 • Expo 2005 in Nagoya, Japan • Terri Schiavo controversy • Pope John Paul II... May 26 is the 146th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (147th in leap years). ... 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar and is the current year. ... Facade of Waterloo Station, London Waterloo is a major train station and transport interchange located in the Waterloo district of London, which was itself named after the Battle of Waterloo in which Napoleon was defeated near Brussels. ... Bournemouth is a seaside resort in the county of Dorset on the south coast of England. ... Class 421/3, no. ...

Further use

Following withdrawal from normal service, several vehicles have seen further use in departmental service.

• 4Vop units 3905 and 3918 are to be converted into tractor units. They will be used to haul Class 375 units to and from Ashford Works.
• MBSO 62138 (ex-unit 3567) has been renumbered to 977981 and is used as a motor coach in the Hitachi V-Train no. 960201 during third-rail testing.

Class 375/6, no. ... Location within the British Isles Ashford is a town in the borough of Ashford in Kent, England. ... Hitachi (Japanese: 日立製作所) is a manufacturer based in Ochanomizu, Tokyo, Japan. ... The British Rail Class 960 was reserved for former diesel multiple units converted for departmental use, and former electrical multiple units rebuilt as test trains. ... Third rail at the West Falls Church Metro stop in the Washington, D.C. area, electrified to 750 volts. ...

Preservation

So far, only one vehicle has been preserved. However, it is expected that the National Railway Museum will claim a complete unit. There was also an attempt to preserved unit 3810, but unfortunately this failed.
The Great Hall at the NRM with LNER Class A4 4468 Mallard The National Railway Museum (NRM) in York forms part of the British National Museum of Science and Industry. ...

The Bideford & Instow Railway Group in Devon are “committed to the reopening of the Barnstaple to Bideford branch of the old Great Western Railway. ...

Fleet details

Original-condition units

Facelifted units