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.
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.
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.
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.
Current Operations
South Eastern Trains
South Central / Southern
South West Trains
Preservation
So far, only one vehicle has been preserved. However, it is expected that the National Railway Museum will claim a complete unit, possible BR Blue unit 3417. There was also an attempt to preserved unit 3810, but unfortunately this failed.
Unit Number
(current in bold)
| Type
| DTCsoL
| MBSO
| TSO
| DTCsoL
| Livery
| Location
| Notes
|
| 7717
| 3017
| 3417
| 4Vep
| 76262
| 62236
| 70797
| 76263
| BR Blue
| Still in traffic
| Repainted in original livery for final months in traffic.
|
| 7729
| 3029
| 3436
| 4Vep
| 76350
| -
| -
| -
| Connex
| Bideford & Instow Railway
| -
|
Fleet Details
Original-condition Units
| Class
| Type
| No. Built
(Converted*)
| Year Built
(Converted*)
| No. Range
| Withdrawn
| Notes
|
| Class 423
| 4Vep
| 194
| 1967-74
| 7701-7894
(later 3001-3194)
| 1995
| Most units facelifted and renumbered into 3401-3591 range.
|
| Class 427
| 4Veg
| 12*
| 1978*
| 7901-7912
| 1984
| Previously units 7788-7799.
Converted back to standard 4Vep units.
|
| Class 480
| 8Vab
| 1*
| 1968*
| 8001
| 1974
| Formed from vehicles from units 7739/41/42.
Converted back to standard 4Vep units.
|
Facelifted Units
| Class
| Type
| No.
Converted
| Year
Converted
| No. Range
| Operator
| Units Nos.
| In Traffic
(2005)
| Current Units
| Withdrawn
|
| Class 423/1
| 4Vep
| 191
| 1988-95
| 3401-3591
| SET
| 3412/16/21-24/45-54/71-75/87/91-99,
3500/11/21/43-45/47/48/53/54/60,
3562/64-66/68/70-75/77/79/82-91
| 50
| 3412/16/24/45-50/53/54/71/72/74/75/87/91/92,
3494-3499, 3500/11/21/44/45/47/48/53/60/62,
3564/65/68/72-74/77/79/83-87/89-91
| -
|
| Southern
| 3403/35-37/79/82-86/88-90,
3501/03-05/12/13/15/17/18/23/24,
3529-31/35/46/49/51
| 15
| 3479/82/84-86/88-90, 3505/14/23/24/30/31/35
| -
|
| SWT
| 3401/02/04-11/13-15/17-20/25-34/55-59/66-70,
3480/81, 3508-10/16/19/20/36/39/40/42,
3552/55/57-59/61/63/67/69/76/78/80/81
| 7
| 3401/17/81, 3509/20/36/76
| -
|
| Class 423/1
| 4Vep
| 12
| 1995
| 3801-3812
| SET
| 3801-08
| 0
| -
| 2004
|
| SWT
| 3809-12
| 1
| 3811
| -
|
| Class 423/8
| 4Vip
| 8
| 2003
| 3813-3844
| Southern
| 3813/14/21/22/41-44
| 4
| 3822/42-44
| -
|
| Class 423/9
| 4Vop
| 19
| 1998-99
| 3901-3919
| Southern
| 3901-19
| 11
| 3901-05/08/11/12/16/18/19
| -
|
