British Rail Class 419
Encyclopedia
The British Rail
Class 419 Motor Luggage Vans (or MLV) were built from 1951-61 by BR at Eastleigh Works.
s from London Victoria to Dover
and Folkestone
. Units were originally numbered in the range 68001-68010, but were classified Class 419 under the TOPS system and were then renumbered 419001-419010, the numbers actually carried on the units in service reduced to 9001-9010, omitting the first two digits.
The units were also fitted with batteries to allow them to operate over the short-distance of non-electrified line at the quayside. The batteries allowed the units to be used at low-speed for 20-30 minutes, and could be recharged when the unit was taking power from 750 V DC third-rail.
They were withdrawn from traffic in 1991/92, with the closure of Dover Western Docks railway station and the end of the boat train services.
tractor units. One unit, no. 9006, was damaged in an accident at Ramsgate
in 1994, resulting in it being withdrawn and subsequently scrapped. Two other units, nos. 9003 and 9009, were specially repainted in old liveries (BR Blue and LSE "Jaffa Cake") by staff at depot, to commemorate its closure in 1995.
The majority of units were withdrawn for a second time in 1997, and were dumped at Bournemouth
depot, pending disposal. However, two units, nos. 9001 and 9002, remained in use at the depot as shunters. The first was retired in 1998, and subsequently preserved. Unit 9002 was retained by South West Trains
until 2004, when it was replaced by former 4Cep
unit 1512.
The first unit to be preserved was first-built no. 9001, which was saved in 1998 after a high-profile campaign by the EPB Preservation Group. It was bought to power the group's preserved 2EPB
unit, no. 5759.
The units dumped at Bournemouth
were put out to tender in 1999, and were bought mainly for use as storage vehicles. Their ability to move under battery-power has also allowed limited passenger use.
The final unit to be saved was no. 9002, which has now joined its former Bournemouth shed mate at the East Kent Railway
. The table below gives details of the current locations and fates of the Class 419 units. The East Kent Railway has taken delivery of 68008 ex the Coventry Railway Centre
.
British Rail
British Railways , which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was the operator of most of the rail transport in Great Britain between 1948 and 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the "Big Four" British railway companies and lasted until the gradual privatisation of British Rail, in stages...
Class 419 Motor Luggage Vans (or MLV) were built from 1951-61 by BR at Eastleigh Works.
Description
Ten of these units were built for the boat trainBoat train
A boat train is a passenger train which connects with a passenger ship, such as a ferry or ocean liner. Through ticketing is normally available. -Notable named boat trains:*The Flèche d'Or Paris Gare du Nord to Calais...
s from London Victoria to Dover
Dover
Dover is a town and major ferry port in the home county of Kent, in South East England. It faces France across the narrowest part of the English Channel, and lies south-east of Canterbury; east of Kent's administrative capital Maidstone; and north-east along the coastline from Dungeness and Hastings...
and Folkestone
Folkestone
Folkestone is the principal town in the Shepway District of Kent, England. Its original site was in a valley in the sea cliffs and it developed through fishing and its closeness to the Continent as a landing place and trading port. The coming of the railways, the building of a ferry port, and its...
. Units were originally numbered in the range 68001-68010, but were classified Class 419 under the TOPS system and were then renumbered 419001-419010, the numbers actually carried on the units in service reduced to 9001-9010, omitting the first two digits.
The units were also fitted with batteries to allow them to operate over the short-distance of non-electrified line at the quayside. The batteries allowed the units to be used at low-speed for 20-30 minutes, and could be recharged when the unit was taking power from 750 V DC third-rail.
They were withdrawn from traffic in 1991/92, with the closure of Dover Western Docks railway station and the end of the boat train services.
Prototype
The design of these units was based on an earlier vehicle, numbered 68000, which was used as a parcels van on the Tyneside DC electrified network. This unit was withdrawn when that network was de-electrified in 1967.Departmental service
After withdrawal from normal service, the entire fleet was transferred to departmental service as Class 931British Rail Class 931
The British Rail Class 931 was reserved for former Southern Region electrical multiple units converted for departmental use. Originally the series was reserved for Route Learning and Stores units. In recent years, however, other types have also been given numbers in this series.The Southern Region...
tractor units. One unit, no. 9006, was damaged in an accident at Ramsgate
Ramsgate
Ramsgate is a seaside town in the district of Thanet in east Kent, England. It was one of the great English seaside towns of the 19th century and is a member of the ancient confederation of Cinque Ports. It has a population of around 40,000. Ramsgate's main attraction is its coastline and its main...
in 1994, resulting in it being withdrawn and subsequently scrapped. Two other units, nos. 9003 and 9009, were specially repainted in old liveries (BR Blue and LSE "Jaffa Cake") by staff at depot, to commemorate its closure in 1995.
The majority of units were withdrawn for a second time in 1997, and were dumped at Bournemouth
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
depot, pending disposal. However, two units, nos. 9001 and 9002, remained in use at the depot as shunters. The first was retired in 1998, and subsequently preserved. Unit 9002 was retained by South West Trains
South West Trains
South West Trains is a British train operating company providing, under franchise, passenger rail services, mostly out of Waterloo station, to the southwest of London in the suburbs and in the counties of Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset, Devon, Somerset, Berkshire, and Wiltshire and on the Isle of Wight...
until 2004, when it was replaced by former 4Cep
British Rail Class 411
The British Rail Class 411 electrical multiple units were built at Eastleigh works from 1956-63 for the newly electrified main lines in Kent. These units were based on the earlier Southern Railway 4Cor design, built in 1937. They were replaced by Juniper units.-Description:A total of 133 units...
unit 1512.
Preservation
All except two of these units have been preserved. One unit was scrapped after an accident whilst in service, and the other was scrapped in preservation.The first unit to be preserved was first-built no. 9001, which was saved in 1998 after a high-profile campaign by the EPB Preservation Group. It was bought to power the group's preserved 2EPB
British Rail Class 416
British Rail Class 416 electric multiple units were built between 1953 and 1956. They were intended for inner suburban passenger services on London's Southern Electric network...
unit, no. 5759.
The units dumped at Bournemouth
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
were put out to tender in 1999, and were bought mainly for use as storage vehicles. Their ability to move under battery-power has also allowed limited passenger use.
The final unit to be saved was no. 9002, which has now joined its former Bournemouth shed mate at the East Kent Railway
East Kent Railway (heritage)
The East Kent Railway is a short heritage railway in Kent, England. It is located at Shepherdswell station on the London to Dover Priory direct mainline. The line was constructed from 1911 to 1917 to serve a local colliery at Tilmanstone...
. The table below gives details of the current locations and fates of the Class 419 units. The East Kent Railway has taken delivery of 68008 ex the Coventry Railway Centre
Coventry Railway Centre
The Electric Railway Museum is located in Warwickshire, south of Coventry city, outside Baginton, and near to Coventry Airport. The heritage railway centre was also known as "The Airfield Line" as the railway was built on the site of a greenfield...
.
Fleet details
| Key: | Preserved | Scrapped |
|---|
| Unit Number | Final Livery | DMLV | Withdrawn | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original | Departmental | ||||
| 9001 | 931091 | NSE | 68001 | 1998 | Preserved at the East Kent Railway East Kent Railway (heritage) The East Kent Railway is a short heritage railway in Kent, England. It is located at Shepherdswell station on the London to Dover Priory direct mainline. The line was constructed from 1911 to 1917 to serve a local colliery at Tilmanstone... |
| 9002 | 931092 | NSE | 68002 | 2004 | Preserved at the East Kent Railway East Kent Railway (heritage) The East Kent Railway is a short heritage railway in Kent, England. It is located at Shepherdswell station on the London to Dover Priory direct mainline. The line was constructed from 1911 to 1917 to serve a local colliery at Tilmanstone... |
| 9003 | - | BR Blue when preserved Since repainted anonymous green |
68003 | 1997 | Preserved at the Eden Valley Railway Eden Valley Railway The Eden Valley Railway was a railway in Cumbria, England. It ran between Clifton Junction near Penrith and Kirkby Stephen via Appleby-in-Westmorland.... Has just undergone battery replacement on the Extra Traction Battery! |
| 9004 | 931094 | NSE | 68004 | 1997 | Preserved at the Mid-Norfolk Railway Mid-Norfolk Railway The Mid-Norfolk Railway or MNR is a heritage railway in the English county of Norfolk. Opening as a tourist line in 1997, it is often referred to as a "New Generation" heritage railway.... |
| 9005 | 931095 | LSE "Jaffa Cake" | 68005 | 1997 | Preserved at the Eden Valley Railway Eden Valley Railway The Eden Valley Railway was a railway in Cumbria, England. It ran between Clifton Junction near Penrith and Kirkby Stephen via Appleby-in-Westmorland.... |
| 9006 | 931096 | LSE "Jaffa Cake" | 68006 | 1994 | Scrapped (1994) |
| 9007 | - | LSE "Jaffa Cake" | 68007 | 1997 | Scrapped (2006) |
| 9008 | 931098 | NSE | 68008 | 1997 | Preserved at the East Kent Railway East Kent Railway (heritage) The East Kent Railway is a short heritage railway in Kent, England. It is located at Shepherdswell station on the London to Dover Priory direct mainline. The line was constructed from 1911 to 1917 to serve a local colliery at Tilmanstone... |
| 9009 | 931099 | LSE "Jaffa Cake" | 68009 | 1997 | Preserved at the Colne Valley Railway Colne Valley Railway The Colne Valley Railway is a heritage railway based at Castle Hedingham Station, near Halstead in Essex, England. The railway consists of a mile-long running line, with a fully reconstructed station, signal box and railway yard... |
| 9010 | 931090 | NSE | 68010 | 1997 | Preserved at the Wensleydale Railway Wensleydale Railway The Wensleydale Railway is a railway line in Wensleydale and Lower Swaledale in North Yorkshire, England and the name of the company that operates services on the line.... |