| Southern Railway 5-BEL British Rail Class 403 | |
|---|---|
.jpg) 3052 passing through Purley Oaks in 1964 | |
| 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) |
| Operators | Southern Railway (1933–1941, 1946–1947); British Railways (1948–1972) |
| Lines served | Brighton Main Line |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | All steel |
| Maximum speed | 75 mph (121 km/h) |
| Weight | Set: 249 long tons (253 t; 279 short tons) |
| Traction motors | Eight EE163[1] traction motors |
| Power output | 8 x 225 hp (168 kW) 1,800 hp (1,342 kW) (total) |
| Electric system(s) | 660–750 V DC third rail |
| Current collector(s) | contact shoe |
| Braking system(s) | Automatic Air |
| Coupling system | Screw-link |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
The Southern Railway (SR) gave the designation 5-BEL to the five-car all-Pullman electric multiple units which worked 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 5-PUL (the 'PUL' code was then used for the 6-PUL units).