British Rail Class 466

Last updated

British Rail Class 466
Networker
466003 at Ashford International.jpg
In service1993–present
Manufacturer Metro-Cammell
Built at Washwood Heath, Birmingham
Family name Networker
Replaced
Constructed1993–1994 [1]
Refurbished2011–2013 at Wabtec Doncaster
Number built43
Number in service31
Successor Class 707 [2]
Formation2 cars per unit: DMSO-DTSO [1]
Fleet numbers466001–466043
Capacity168 seats [1]
Owners Angel Trains [1]
Operators
Specifications
Car body construction Aluminium
Car length20.80 m (68 ft 3 in) [1]
Width2.80 m (9 ft 2 in) [1]
Height3.77 m (12 ft 4 in)
DoorsDouble-leaf sliding plug
(2 per side per car)
Maximum speed75 mph (121 km/h) [1]
Weight
  • DM vehs.: 40.6 t (40.0 long tons; 44.8 short tons)
  • DT vehs.: 31.4 t (30.9 long tons; 34.6 short tons)
Traction system GEC Alsthom GTO-VVVF
Traction motors 4 × 3-phase AC [3]
GEC Alsthom G352AY
Power output1,120 kW (1,500 hp)
Electric system(s) 750 V DC   third rail
Current collector(s) Contact shoe
UIC classification Bo′Bo′+2′2′
Bogies
  • Powered: SRP BP58
  • Unpowered: SRP BT49
Braking system(s) Electro-pneumatic (disc) and rheostatic/regenerative
Safety system(s)
Coupling system Tightlock [4]
Multiple working Within class, and with Class 465 [3]
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge

The British Rail Class 466 Networker is a fleet of 43 electric multiple units that were built by Metro-Cammell in 1993 and 1994. The units are currently operated by Southeastern.

Contents

Description

The Class 466 EMUs were built between 1993 and 1994 by Metro-Cammell in Washwood Heath, for the Network SouthEast sector of British Rail. [5] As part of the privatisation of British Rail, all were sold to Angel Trains. [1] They were operated by Network SouthEast until 1996, and then by Connex South Eastern until 2003, South Eastern Trains until 2006 and Southeastern to the present day.

Each of these units is formed of two coaches that have dimensions of 20.89 m × 2.81 m (68 ft 6 in × 9 ft 3 in) and a top speed of 75 mph (121 km/h). [5]

Class 466 in Southeastern livery at Sheerness-on-Sea in 2011 466022 new Southeastern livery.jpg
Class 466 in Southeastern livery at Sheerness-on-Sea in 2011

Class 466 units operate in multiple with Class 465s. They were historically used as individual units on rural routes, mainly the Sheerness Line between Sittingbourne and Sheerness, displacing the Class 508/2s which operated on this branch line and on the Bromley North branch between Grove Park and Bromley North. However, owing to their non-compliance with accessibility standards, since 1 January 2021 they may only run coupled to a Class 465 unit. [6]

The Class 466s were also used on the Medway Valley line between Strood, Maidstone West and Tonbridge, and in the leaf fall and winter season of 2011, the Class 466s were doubled up to make 4 car units on the Medway Valley line to help stop the poor adhesion along the line when only a single unit runs. They also ran doubled up or coupled with a Class 465 on the Sheerness Line during the winters of 2009/10 and 2010/11. From the May 2012 timetable changes, Class 375s replaced the Class 466s on the Medway Valley line and from December 2019 on the Sheerness Branch Line.

These two-car EMUs are formed of a driving motor carriage (DMSO: Driving Motor Standard Open) and a driving trailer carriage (DTSO, with lavatory); all on-board seating is standard accommodation. [5] A Solid State Traction Converter package controls 3-phase AC Traction motors, which allows for Rheostatic or Regenerative Dynamic braking. Primary braking system is electro-pneumatically actuated disc brakes, which is blended with the Dynamic brakes. Speed Probes on every axle of the unit provide for Wheel Slip/Slide Protection. A solid-state Auxiliary Converter provides 110 V DC and 240 V AC supplies; this is the source of the loud buzzing noise which can be heard when the train is stationary. The Aux Converter is located on the driving trailer, along with the toilet. The units use air-operated sliding plug doors.

Some are scheduled to be replaced by Class 707s, [7] with two hauled to Worksop for store by Harry Needle Railroad Company in June 2021. [8]

Refurbishment

The 466s were repainted by Wabtec Rail at Doncaster Works into a variation of Southeastern livery with lilac doors and midnight blue lower band.[ citation needed ]

Fleet details

Units:
ClassOperatorQty.Year builtCars per unitUnit numbers
466 Southeastern 311993–19942466002–466004, 466006-466008, 466011–466012, 466014-466015, 466018–466023, 466025–466026, 466028–466029, 466031, 466034–466043[ citation needed ]
Stored12466001, 466005, 466009-466010, 466013, 466016-466017, 466024, 466027, 466030, 466032-466033 [9]
Vehicle number ranges: [6]
DMSODTSO
64860–6490278312–78354

Accidents and incidents

On 5 February 2007 a bridge inspection unit working on the M20 motorway was deployed over a railway bridge between Maidstone Barracks and Aylesford stations. The gantry on the bridge inspection unit was struck by 466041 working a Paddock Wood to Gillingham service, causing significant damage to the leading carriage and wrecking the gantry. The train driver and the sole passenger were slightly injured. Nobody was on the gantry at the time. [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Eastern Trains</span> Former British train operator

South Eastern Trains was a publicly owned train operating company that operated the South Eastern Passenger Rail Franchise between November 2003, when it took over from Connex South Eastern, and 1 April 2006, when Southeastern began operating the new Integrated Kent franchise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metro-Cammell</span> British manufacturer of railway locomotives and rolling stock

Metro-Cammell, formally the Metropolitan Cammell Carriage and Wagon Company (MCCW), was an English manufacturer of railway carriages, locomotives and railway wagons, based in Saltley, and subsequently Washwood Heath, in Birmingham. The company was purchased by GEC Alsthom in May 1989; the Washwood Heath factory closed in 2005 and was demolished in early 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 411</span>

The British RailClass 411 (4CEP) electric multiple units were built at Eastleigh works from 1956–63 for the newly electrified main lines in Kent. These units, which used the British Railways Mark 1 bodyshell, were based on the earlier Southern Railway 4 COR design, built in 1937. Variants of the class 411 design included the class 410 and class 412 4 BEP units, which contained a buffet car in place of a standard trailer. They were later used on services in Sussex and Hampshire; following the privatisation of British Rail in 1995, the units were used by the Connex South Central, Connex South Eastern and South West Trains franchises. They were replaced by Juniper, Desiro, and Electrostar units. The fleet's lifespan was 49 years. These units are the longest-lived BR Mark 1 EMUs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 375</span> British electric multiple unit train

The British Rail Class 375 Electrostar is an electric multiple unit train that was built at Derby Litchurch Lane Works, thirty units by Adtranz from 1999 to 2001, and 110 units by Bombardier Transportation from 2001 to 2004. The class form part of the Electrostar family of units, which also includes classes 357, 376, 377, 378, 379 and 387, the most numerous type of EMU introduced since the privatisation of British Rail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 365</span> British electric passenger trains

The British Rail Class 365 Networker Express was a class of dual-voltage electric multiple unit passenger train built by ABB at Holgate Road Carriage Works in 1994 and 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hayes railway station</span> National Rail station in London, England

Hayes railway station is a railway station located in Hayes in the London Borough of Bromley, south east London, England. It is 14 miles 32 chains (23.2 km) from London Charing Cross.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Johns railway station</span> National Rail station in London, England

St Johns railway station is in the London Borough of Lewisham. It lies 5 miles 47 chains (9.0 km) down the South Eastern Main Line from London Charing Cross, and is situated between New Cross and Lewisham.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lower Sydenham railway station</span> National Rail station in London, England

Lower Sydenham railway station is located on the boundary of the London Borough of Bromley and the London Borough of Lewisham in south-east London. It is 9 miles 2 chains (14.5 km) measured from London Charing Cross.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clock House railway station</span> National Rail station in London, England

Clock House railway station is in the London Borough of Bromley in south east London, in Travelcard Zone 4 between Beckenham and Penge. It is 10 miles 23 chains (16.6 km) down the line from London Charing Cross. The station and all trains serving it are operated by Southeastern on the Hayes line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eden Park railway station</span> National Rail station in London, England

Eden Park railway station serves Eden Park in the London Borough of Bromley in south east London, in Travelcard Zone 5. It is therefore possible to use an Oyster card at the station. It is 12 miles 34 chains (20.0 km) down the line from London Charing Cross. The station and all trains serving it is operated by Southeastern on the Hayes line. The trains are electric, powered by a third rail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Wickham railway station</span> National Rail station in London, England

West Wickham railway station serves West Wickham in the London Borough of Bromley. It is located in Southeast London and is in Travelcard Zone 5. It is 13 miles 19 chains (21.3 km) down the line from London Charing Cross.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheerness line</span> Railway line in Kent, England

The Sheerness line is located in Kent, England, and connects Sheerness-on-Sea on the Isle of Sheppey with Sittingbourne on the mainland, and with the Chatham Main Line for trains towards London, Ramsgate or Dover Priory. It opened on 19 July 1860.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 508</span> Class of electric multiple unit train

The British Rail Class 508 (4PER) was a class of electric multiple unit (EMU) passenger train built by British Rail Engineering Limited, at Holgate Road carriage works, York, in 1979 and 1980. They were a variant of British Rail's standard 1972 design for suburban EMUs, eventually encompassing 755 vehicles and five classes (313/314/315/507/508). They mostly worked on the Merseyrail network from 1982 until withdrawal on 16 January 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 376</span> British electric multiple-unit passenger train manufactured by Bombardier Transportation

The British Rail Class 376 Electrostar is a class of electric multiple unit passenger train that was manufactured by Bombardier Transportation at its Derby Litchurch Lane Works. It is part of the Electrostar family, which are the most common EMUs introduced since the privatisation of British Rail. The units were ordered by Connex South Eastern and introduced in 2004/2005 by South Eastern Trains to replace Class 465 and Class 466, which were transferred to Outer Suburban services to Kent to replace the Class 423 slam-door trains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 465</span> British class of electric multiple unit

The British Rail Class 465 Networker is a class of 147 electric multiple units built by Metro-Cammell, British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) and ABB Rail between 1991 and 1994. Originally operated by Network SouthEast, these units are now run by Southeastern.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bombardier Electrostar</span> Family of British electric passenger trains

The Bombardier Electrostar is a family of electric multiple-unit (EMU) passenger trains manufactured by Bombardier Transportation at their Derby Litchurch Lane Works in England between 1999 and 2017. It has become the most common new EMU type in the United Kingdom since the privatisation of British Rail with a number of variants. Electrostar trains are most common on high-volume suburban commuter routes around London; and on mainline services from London south to Surrey and the south coast, east to Essex, and north to Cambridge and Stansted Airport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Connex South Eastern</span> Former train operating company in Great Britain

Connex South Eastern was a train operating company in the United Kingdom owned by Connex that operated the South Eastern franchise from October 1996 until November 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MTR Metro Cammell EMU (AC)</span> Model of electric multiple unit

The East Rail line Metro Cammell EMU was a model of electric multiple unit built in 1980–1990 by Metro-Cammell for the original Kowloon–Canton Railway in Hong Kong. The 29 sets were owned by and were originally operated by the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC). They were operated by MTR Corporation (MTRC) after it merged with KCRC in 2007. Although another set of EMU trains from the same manufacturer operate on some of MTR's own lines, there are some significant differences between the two models, with the Metro Cammell EMUs of the original MTR being known as the M-Train.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Networker (train)</span> Passenger train family built for British Rail

The Networker is a family of multiple-unit passenger trains which operate on the British railway system. They were built in the late 1980s and early 1990s by British Rail Engineering Limited and Metro Cammell. The trains were built for the Network SouthEast (NSE) sector of British Rail, which is where their name comes from.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southeastern (train operating company)</span> British train operator owned by the Department for Transport

SE Trains Limited, trading as Southeastern, is a British train operating company owned by DfT OLR Holdings for the Department for Transport, that took over operating the South Eastern franchise in South East England from privately owned London & South Eastern Railway on 17 October 2021.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Class 466 - South Eastern". London: Angel Trains. Archived from the original on 18 April 2019.
  2. "Southeastern to bring Class 707s to London from Autumn 2021". RailAdvent. 5 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  3. 1 2 Train Operating Manual: Classes 365, 465, 466. Harrogate: Connex South Eastern. January 1998. p.A.6.
  4. System Data for Mechanical and Electrical Coupling of Rail Vehicles in support of GM/RT2190 (PDF). London: Rail Safety and Standards Board. 22 June 2011. p. 4. SD001. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 "Classes 465 and 466". Southern E-Group. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
  6. 1 2 Hotchkiss, Jeremy (20 November 2019). "The Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011 – Class 466 2020 accessibility deadline" (PDF). Letter to Angel Trains Limited. London: Department for Transport. RFSPEC 16/23/2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 April 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  7. "Southeastern to take Class 707s". Rail Express. No. 289. June 2020. p. 9.
  8. "Class 465 & 466 Networker units put into store". Rail Express. No. 303. August 2021. p. 30.
  9. Russell, David (May 2024). "GTR to lease Class 379s from Porterbrook". Units. Rail Express . No. 336. p. 22.
  10. Rail Accident Report 36/2007: Collision between a train and a road vehicle, M20 overline bridge, Aylesford, 5 February 2007 (PDF). Derby: Rail Accident Investigation Branch, Department for Transport. September 2007. Retrieved 10 January 2023.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to British Rail Class 466 at Wikimedia Commons