British Rail Class 403 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Southern Railway 5-BELBritish 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
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| In service | 1932–1972 |
| Manufacturer | Metropolitan Cammell Carriage, Wagon and Finance Company |
| Constructed | 1932 |
| Number built | Three sets (15 cars) |
| Number preserved | 14 cars |
| Number scrapped | 1 car |
| Formation | 5 car set: DMBPT-TPFK-TPFK-TPT-DMBPT |
| Fleet numbers | Sets 2051–2053 (later 3051–3053); Cars 279–293 |
| Capacity | 40 First, 132 Third (DMBPT: 48, TPT: 56, TPFK: 20) |
| Operator(s) | Southern Railway (1933–1941, 1946–1947); British Railways (1948–1972) |
| Line(s) served | London to Brighton |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | All steel |
| Maximum speed | 75 miles per hour (121 km/h) |
| Weight | Total - 249 tons |
| Traction system | Eight 225 hp (168 kW) traction motors |
| Power output | 1,800 hp (1.342 MW) |
| Electric system(s) | 660–750 V DC |
| Current collection method | Third rail |
| Braking system(s) | Air |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
The Southern Railway (SR) created a special type of electric train called the 5BEL. These trains had five cars and were very luxurious. They were built to run the famous Brighton Belle service. This service connected London Victoria station to Brighton. Later, when British Rail took over, these trains were renamed Class 403. For a short time between 1933 and 1935, they were also known as 5PUL trains.
Contents
What was the Brighton Belle?
The Brighton Belle was a very famous and fancy train service in England. It ran between London and Brighton. People loved it because it offered a luxurious way to travel. The 5-BEL trains were specially designed for this service. They were all-electric, which was quite modern for their time.
Building These Special Trains
These unique trains were built by a company called Metropolitan Cammell. They started building them in 1932. Only three sets of these trains were made, which means 15 cars in total. Each train set had five cars. These cars were designed to be very comfortable and stylish.
Inside the Pullman Cars
The trains were called "Pullman" trains. This meant they offered a very high level of comfort and service. Pullman cars were known for their fancy interiors. They often had comfortable seats, nice decorations, and even dining services. These trains had space for both first-class and third-class passengers.
How the 5-BEL Trains Worked
The 5-BEL trains were electric multiple units. This means they were powered by electricity and had motors in several cars. They got their power from a third rail system. This system uses an extra rail next to the tracks to supply electricity. Each train had eight powerful motors. They could reach a top speed of about 75 miles per hour (121 km/h).
Life of the Brighton Belle
The Brighton Belle service started in 1933. It quickly became very popular. It was a favorite way for people to travel between London and the seaside town of Brighton. The trains ran for many years. They were operated by the Southern Railway first. Then, they were taken over by British Railways in 1948.
End of an Era
The Brighton Belle trains served passengers for a long time. They ran until 1972. After nearly 40 years of service, they were finally retired. Most of the original cars were saved. Out of the 15 cars built, 14 have been preserved. This means they are kept safe and can sometimes be seen today. One car was scrapped, meaning it was taken apart. Some of these preserved cars are still used for special luxury train trips today.
