British Rail Class 444

British Rail Class 444 Desiro
A pair of South Western Railway Class 444s near Southampton Airport Parkway in 2021
Refurbished standard-class saloon
In service21 April 2004 – present
ManufacturerSiemens Transportation Systems
AssemblySiemens SGP Verkehrstechnik[1]
Built atVienna, Austria
Family nameDesiro
Replaced
Constructed2002–2004[2]
Refurbished2017–2020[3]
Number built45[4]
Formation
  • 5 cars per unit:
  • DMOS-TOSL-TOSL-(P)TOSLW-DMOC[5]
Fleet numbers444001–444045
Capacity
  • As built: 334 seats[5]
    (35 first-class, 299 standard)
  • As refurbished: 359 seats
    (32 first-class, 327 standard)[2]
OwnersAngel Trains[6]
OperatorsSouth Western Railway
DepotsNortham[4]
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium
Train lengthapprox. 119 m (390 ft 5 in)[5]
Car length23.57 m (77 ft 4 in)[6]
Width2.796 m (9 ft 2.1 in)[7]
Floor height1.157 m (3 ft 9.6 in)[7]
DoorsSingle-leaf sliding plug
(2 per side per car)
Wheel diameter850–786 mm (33.46–30.94 in) (new–worn)[7]
WheelbaseBogies: 2.600 m (8 ft 6.4 in)[8]
Maximum speed100 mph (160 km/h)[4]
Weight
  • Total: 227 tonnes (223 long tons; 250 short tons)[4]
Traction systemSiemens SIBAS IGBT[7]
Traction motors8 × Siemens 1TB2016-0GB02
asynchronous three-phase AC[6]
Power output1,500 kW (2,000 hp) (at wheel)[7]
Tractive effortStarting: 200 kN (45,000 lbf)[5]
Accelerationapprox. 1 m/s2 (3.3 ft/s2)[7]
Electric system(s)750 V DC third rail
Current collector(s)Contact shoe
UIC classificationBo′Bo′+2′2′+2′2′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′[7]
BogiesSiemens SGP SF5000[7]
Minimum turning radius120 m (393 ft 8 in)[8]
Braking system(s)Electro-pneumatic (disc) and regenerative
Safety system(s)
Coupling systemDellner 12[9]
Multiple workingWithin class, and with Class 450[2]
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The British Rail Class 444 Desiro is an electric multiple-unit passenger train built by Siemens Transportation Systems in Austria between 2002 and 2004. The Class 444 currently operate on express passenger services for South Western Railway.

The class first entered service with South West Trains in 2004.

  1. ^ Background information: Siemens plant at Simmering in Vienna (PDF). München: Siemens AG. 23 February 2016. p. 4. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "Our Trains - Class 444 'Desiro'". South Western Railway. London: First MTR South Western Trains. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  3. ^ Holden, Michael (9 January 2020). "South Western Railway completes £70m refurbishment of Class 444s". RailAdvent. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d Trains - Reference List (PDF). Erlangen: Siemens Transportation Systems. 8 September 2006. p. 38. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d Technical Information: Class 444 (PDF). London: Siemens Transportation Systems. April 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 November 2007. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  6. ^ a b c "Our Fleet - Class 444". London: Angel Trains. Archived from the original on 4 September 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Technical Information: Desiro UK Electrical Multiple Unit Family. Erlangen: Siemens Transportation Systems. 2005. Order No. A19100-V800-B251-V2-7600.
  8. ^ a b First Class Bogies (PDF) (08/08 ed.). Graz: Siemens Transportation Systems. pp. 60–61, 67. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 June 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  9. ^ 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 22 November 2022.