These locomotives were constructed in 1908 for the Lacroze Rural Tramway / Buenos Aires Central Railway in Argentina. They were designed with a central cab as was common at the time for electric locomotives of this size. The locomotives used a trolley pole for current collection (500v DC overhead). They were able to travel at up to 20 mp/h and could maintain maximum output for an hour.
One of the locomotives [1]
Information
Number built:
6
Built:
1908
Builder:
Dick, Kerr
Motor:
4 DK7B electric motors (500v DC OHLE)
Power:
200 hp (149 kW)
Wheel arrangement:
Bo-Bo
The locomotives continued to be operated into the 1920s at least [2].
[1] "Electric locomotives for South America", Railway Times (March 20 1909) p. 289
[2] George S. Brady, Railways of South America: Part I. Argentina (1926) p. 197
The Class 455 electric multiple units were built by BREL York [1] in the early 1980s to replace 4-SUB and EPB stock on Southern Region routes. They are an example of 1982 Standard High Density Stock, 137 sets were built between 1983 and 1985. Currently they are operated by South Western Railway on commuter lines out of LondonWaterloo. They were also operated by Southern but these units have now been withdrawn.
SWR 455 907 at Guildford
Information
Number built:
548* (137 4-car sets)
* including 43 cars from Class 508s
Built:
1983-85
Builder:
BREL York
Motor:
4 EE507-20J traction motors per set (750v DC third rail)
Power:
1, 000 hp (746 kW)
Formation:
Driving Trailer Standard Open (DTSO)+Motor Standard Open (MSO)+Trailer Standard Open (TSO)+DTSO
The units were based on some of the work behind the prototype Class 210 DEMUs and are related to the Class 317 and 318, like those units it was derived from the British Rail Mark 3 coach [2]. There are three sub-classes: 455/7, 455/8 and 455/9, a major visual difference is that the /7 and /9 sub-classes have a more rounded roof than the /8 which despite the numbering was built first. The 455/7s were built as 3-car sets but have included a carriage (TSO) taken from the Class 508 EMUs which they replaced to turn them into 4-car sets. Since privatisation the Southern 455/8s lost their cab gangways in favour of an air conditioning unit giving them a different look to the other sub-classes.
They were set to remain in service into the early 2020s following refurbishment and the fitting of new traction motors to some units [3]. (It is worth noting that the replaced motors are reconditioned English Electric motors from older SR EMUs such as the Class 405 and indeed dated from the early post-war period!)
However, the change in the South West Trains franchise in 2017 to South Western Railway saw a change of plan to replace the units with the Class 701 from 2020 [4] though as of Spring 2023 the SWR Class 455s remain in service. Southern's Class 455s were withdrawn in 2022.
SWR 455 741 at Horsley
Southern 455 802 showing the different front end
SWR 455 712 at Vauxhall
Aboard a SWR 455
A SWR 455 at Guildford, compare the roof to the top photo
[1] Colin J. Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition Guide (Ian Allan, 2013) p. 351
[2] Brian Haresnape & Alec Swain, Third Rail DC Electric Multiple Units (Ian Allan, 1989) p. 77
[3] "Vossloh Kiepe UK to deliver traction upgrade to South West Trains’ Class 455 fleet"
[4] "Class 455 Death Sentence", Modern Railways (May 2017) p. 25
The F Stock was built for the District Railway in the early 1920s to increase capacity and to replace deteriorating B Stock [1], the construction was partly funded by the government to help British industry transition back to civil manufacture. The F Stock was built at a factory that had built armoured vehicles in the war, that and their steel construction may be why they gained the nickname of "tanks"!
F Stock on delivery [3]
Information
Number built:
100
Built:
1920-21
Builder:
Metropolitan Carriage, Wagon & Finance Company
Motor:
British Thomson-Houston electrical equipment (600v DC fourth rail)
The F Stock was more powerful than earlier District Line stock which gave them a superior performance. Despite their high passenger capacity they were unpopular due to their interior appearance. This was improved in service. The F Stock had non-standard control equipment and thus could not work with other District Railway stock.
The F Stock was transferred to the Metropolitan Line in the 1950s. They were fitted with air operated doors and other enhancements including windscreen wipers [2] to the distinctive (though troublesome) oval windows. The F Stock was finally withdrawn in 1963 after replacement by A Stock. None have been preserved.
Interior view [3]
[1] Brian Hardy, Surface Stock 1933-1959 (Underground Train File) (Capital Transport, 2002) p. 38
[2] Ibid. p. 40
[3] "New District Railway rolling stock", Electrical Review Vol. 87 No. 2, 249 (December 31 1920) p. 838
The Class 350, part of the Siemens Desiro family of electric multiple unit, was built in three batches since 2004 and is operated by London Northwestern (LNWR). The Class 350 is the mainstay of LNWR intercity regional services. The Class 350 has also served, in the past, with London Midland, Central Trains, Silverlink, Southern and First TransPennine Express.
LNWR 350 265 arrives at Berkhamsted
Information
Number built:
348 (87 4-car train sets)
Built:
2004-14
Builder:
Siemens
Motor:
4 Siemens 1TB2016-0GB02 traction motors (25kV AC OHLE)
(350/1) 750v DC third rail
Power:
2, 010 hp (1, 500 kW)
Formation:
Driving Motor Standard Open (DMSO)+Trailer Composite
Open (TCO)+Pantograph Trailer Standard Open (PTSO)+DMSO
The Class 350 is capable of up to 110mp/h (except the 350/2) and collects its power from the 25kV AC overhead wires though some (350/1) can use the 750v DC third rail too. However, these days only operate as AC EMUs. They are part of the Desiro family which also includes the very similar Classes 185, 360, 444 and 450. Indeed the original batch of 350s was originally ordered as Class 450s [1].
London Northwestern Railway use the 350/1, 350/2 (which has high density seating), 350/4 and the more recently built 350/3 on services down the West Coast Main Line to London Euston as well as some local services in the West Midlands. Some are to be replaced by Class 730s.
LNWR 350 115 at Stafford
LNWR 350 406 at Tile Hill
LNWR 350 116 at Berkswell
Aboard a refurbished LNWR 350, with passenger information screens
LNWR 350 243 at Rugeley Trent Valley
[1] Colin J. Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition Guide (Ian Allan, 2013) p. 270
