The Southern Railway (SR) gave the designation 5BEL to the 5-car all-Pullman electric multiple units built to work the prestigious Brighton Belle trains between London Victoria and Brighton. These units survived long enough in British Rail ownership to be allocated TOPS Class 403. Between 1933 and 1935 the units were designated 5PUL (the 'PUL' code was then used for the 6PUL units).
Quick facts Southern Railway 5-BEL, In service ...
Southern Railway 5-BEL
British Rail Class 403 |
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 Former 5BEL car, 284 Vera at London Victoria on 15th August 2003. This car was previously in unit 3052, and is now owned and operated by VSOE |
| In service | 1932–1972 |
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| Manufacturer | Metropolitan Cammell Carriage, Wagon and Finance Company |
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| Constructed | 1932 |
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| Number built | Three sets (15 cars) |
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| Number preserved | 14 cars |
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| Number scrapped | 1 car |
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| Formation | 5 car set: DMBPT-TPFK-TPFK-TPT-DMBPT |
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| Capacity | 40 First, 132 Third
(DMBPT: 48, TPT: 56, TPFK: 20) |
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| Operators | Southern Railway (1933–1941, 1946–1947);
British Railways (1948–1972) |
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| Lines served | London to Brighton |
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| Car body construction | All steel |
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| Maximum speed | 75 miles per hour (121 km/h) |
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| Weight | Total - 249 tons |
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| Traction system | Eight 225 hp (168 kW) traction motors |
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| Current collector(s) | Third rail |
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| Braking system(s) | Air |
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| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
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