Class 404 4-BUF/4-COR/4-GRI/4-RES

The Southern Railway built forty-eight four-car EMUs for the electrified line from London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour via Woking. These were a mixture of 4-COR (Corridor) and 4-RES (Restaurant) sets. They were intended to be used in twelve-car formations with a 4-RES sandwiched between two 4-CORs and providing catering services for the train. The whole train had corridor connections throughout [1] so all passengers had access to the refreshment facilities [2].

Further electrification in mid-Sussex saw SR built a second batch of units, twenty six more CORs and thirteen BUF (Buffet car) sets [3], the buffet cars having modern facilities with an Art Deco interior design by O.V.S. Bulleid [4].

Information
Number built:	348 (87 4-car sets)
Built:	1937-38
Builder:	SR Lancing Works / Eastleigh
Motor:	4 MV/EE 163 traction motors (750v DC third rail)
Power:	900 hp (670 kW)
Formation (4-COR):	Driving Motor Second Open (DMSO)+TCK (Trailer Composite Corridor)+TSK (Trailer Standard Corridor)+DMSO

In the Nationalisation era a number of changes were made to the stock, including converting the restaurant sets to buffet (4-BUF) or griddle (4-GRI). The final 4-RES were withdrawn in 1964 but the other sets continued in service until 1972, the 4-CORs becoming Class 404 under TOPS. In later years surplus trailers from other classes were used to augment sets creating 6-CORs and 6-TCs.

4-COR 3131 (DMBTO only) preserved at NRM Shildon

[1] Colin J. Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition Guide (Ian Allan, 2013) p. 306
[2] David Brown, Southern Electric Vol. 2 (Capital Transport, 2010) p. 143
[3] Alan Williams, Southern Electric Album (Ian Allan, 1977) p. 45
[4] Brian Haresnape & Alec Swain, Third Rail DC Electric Multiple-Units (Ian Allan, 1989) p. 19