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British Rail Class 421 facts for kids

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British Rail Class 421
1498 at Lymington Pier.JPG
Class 421/7 no. 1498 "Farringford" at Lymington Pier on 26 May 2005. This unit has been restored to 1960s-era British Railways green livery for use on the Lymington Branch Line.
In service 1964 - Current
Manufacturer BREL York
Number built Unknown
Formation driving trailer + trailer + power car + driving trailer
Operator(s) British Rail, South West Trains
Specifications
Car length 265ft 8 1/2in
Width ft 9 in (2.81m)
Height 12ft 9 1/4in (3.89m)
Maximum speed 90mph (145 km/h)
Weight 150 Tons
Power output 4 x 250 hp traction motors
total 1,000 hp (746 kW)
Electric system(s) 750V dc third rail
Track gauge standard gauge
1717 at Clapham Junction
Class 421/3, no. 1717, at Clapham Junction on 20 August 2004. This was one of the final few 'Phase 1' 4Cig units in service with Southern.
1313 at London Waterloo
Class 421/5, no. 1313, at London Waterloo on 19 July 2003. This is one of 22 "Greyhound" units that were operated by South West Trains. This unit has since been withdrawn and scrapped.

The British Rail Class 421 (or 4Cig) electrical multiple units were built at BR York Works from 1964-1972. Units were built in two batches, and were initially introduced on services on the Brighton Main Line. Later units were introduced on services to Portsmouth. These units replaced older Southern Railway-designed units, such as the 5Bel "Brighton Belle" units, and 4Cor units. These trains were known commonly as "slam-doors".


Images for kids

  • British Rail CIG Class 421 First Class Interior

    The interior of a First Class compartment aboard a Class 421

  • 1908 at London Victoria

    Class 421/6 no. 1908 at London Victoria on 15 August 2004. This unit was one of eight modified 'Phase 1' unit fitted with Mk.6 motor bogies. It was also one of only four 'Phase 1' units to be repainted in South Central livery. It was withdrawn in October 2004 and has since been scrapped.

  • 1879 at London Charing Cross

    Class 421/4, no. 1879, at Charing Cross on 18 March 2003, with a service to Hastings. This unit was operated by South Eastern Trains, and is painted in Network SouthEast livery. This unit has since been withdrawn from traffic and scrapped.

  • 1396 at Clapham Junction

    Class 421/8, no. 1396, at Clapham Junction on 19 July 2003. This unit is one of eight "Greyhound" units converted from redundant 4Big units for use by South West Trains. The buffet coach was replaced with a spare 4Cep trailer vehicle, which is identifiable by its different windows as the second vehicle in the unit.

  • Guildford Station - geograph.org.uk - 571204

    4Cig in 1980 in Guildford.

  • Brockenhurst Lymington Flyer Farewell 1497

    The last day of operation on the Lymington Branch Line

  • 4CIG unit Britsh Railwys Sthn Region 76620 1974

    Phase 2 4CIG 7346 after running away at Wimbledon in 1974

  • Class 421 South West Trains Diagram

    centre

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