British Rail Class 442 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids British Rail Class 442 Wessex Electric
442419 "BBC South Today" at London Waterloo on 19 July 2003. This train is painted in South West Trains Express livery
In service	1988–2007, 2008–
Manufacturer	BREL
Built at	Derby Works
Family name	Mark 3-derived
Number built	24 trainsets
Number in service	8/17 trainsets
Formation	5 cars per trainset
Capacity	(SWT) 266 standard class, 50 first class
Operator(s)	Southern
Specifications
Car length	DTS - 23.15 m (75 ft 11.4 in) TSO/TSW/MLC - 23 m (75 ft)
Width	2.74 m (9 ft)
Height	3.81 m (12.5 ft)
Maximum speed	160 km/h (100 mph)
Weight	Trainset total 202.84 t (199.64 long tons; 223.59 short tons)
Traction system	4 x English Electric 546 of 300 kW (402.31 hp) each
Power output	1,200 kW (1,610 hp)
Power supply	Third rail electric
Electric system(s)	750V DC
Braking system(s)	Disc
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)

442402 "County of Hampshire" at Wool on 16 April 2004, with a South West Trains service from London Waterloo to Weymouth.

442407 "Thomas Hardy" at Moreton on 10 April 2006. This unit carries the revised South West Trains livery with differently coloured doors that conforms with the Disability Discrimination Act.

The British Rail Class 442 Wessex Electric (or 5WES) electrical multiple units, were introduced in 1988 on the South Western Main Line from London Waterloo to Southampton Central, Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth. Twenty-four of these 5-car units were built between 1988-89 by BREL at their Derby works. Their introduction coincided with the completion of electrification from Bournemouth to Weymouth. The entire fleet was operated by South West Trains up until February 2007, when the Class 442 services were replaced.

Images for kids

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  The interior of relocated and refurbished First Class section

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  Network SouthEast 442410 approaching Mount Pleasant crossing, 1988