British Rail Classes 445 and 446

British Rail Class 445 and 446
4PEP unit No.4002 in the sidings at Wimbledon depot
In service1971-1980
ManufacturerBREL
Order no.
  • 30818 (DMSO, 445, 446)
  • 30819 (MSO, 445)[1]
Built atBREL York
Family name1972 design (PEP)[2]
Constructed1971
Entered service1973[1]
Number built
  • 2 × 4-car (445)
  • 1 × 2-car (446)
Number scrappedAll
Formation2/4 cars per trainset:
  • DMSO+MSO+MSO+DMSO (445)
  • DMSO+DMSO (446)
Diagram
  • 861 (DMSO, 445, 446)
  • 862 (MSO, 445)[1]
Design code
  • PEP
Fleet numbers
  • 4001-4002 (445, set)
  • 2001 (446, set)
  • 64300-64305 (DMSO, 445, 446)
  • 62426-62429 (MSO, 445)
Capacity
  • 280 (445)
  • 136 (446)
  • 68S (DMSO)
  • 72S (MSO)[1]
OperatorsBritish Rail
Specifications
Train length
  • 264 ft 10 in (80.72 m) (445)
  • 132 ft 5 in (40.36 m) (446)
Car length
  • 64 ft 11+1⁄2 in (19.799 m) (DMSO)
  • 65 ft 4+1⁄4 in (19.920 m) (MSO)[1]
Width9 ft 3 in (2.82 m)[1]
Height11 ft 6+1⁄2 in (3.518 m)
DoorsBi-parting sliding
Maximum speed75 mph (121 km/h)
Weight
  • 31 long tons 6 cwt (31.8 t) (DMSO, 64305)
  • 35 long tons 7 cwt (35.9 t) (DMSO, others)
  • 34 long tons 6 cwt (34.9 t) (MSO)[1]
Traction motors4 × GEC[1] (per car)
Power output4 x 100 hp (75 kW) (per car)
  • 1,600 hp (1,200 kW) (445, total)
  • 800 hp (600 kW) (446, total)
Electric system(s)750 V DC third rail
Current collector(s)Contact shoe
Bogies
  • BREL BP8 (2001)[3]
  • BREL BT5 (4001)
  • Mk6 (4002, 446)
  • F-type (64305)[1]
Braking system(s)
Coupling system
Multiple workingWithin type only
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The PEP (Prototype Electro Pneumatic Train) Stock were prototype electric multiple units used on British Rail's Southern and Scottish Regions during the 1970s and early 1980s. They were forerunners of the British Rail Second Generation electric multiple unit fleet. Three units were built, one two-car unit (2001), and two four-car units (4001/4002). Under TOPS, the driving cars were originally classified as Class 461 with the non-driving motor cars as Class 462.[1] They were later reclassified as Class 445 (4PEP) and Class 446 (2PEP).

Internal layout was for commuter services; low-backed, bus-style 2+2 seating in open saloons, wide gangways with hanging straps, and no lavatory facilities. They were the first electric multiple units designed by British Rail with electric sliding doors,[4] outside the Scottish Region. They were unable to operate with any other stock due to their new coupling system.[5] Externally, 2001 was finished in unpainted aluminium, while 4001/4002 were painted in all-over Rail Blue.[6] In passenger use, they normally operated together as a ten-car formation.

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Longworth 2015, pp. 40, 45, 142, 144
  2. ^ "PROTOTYPE ELECTRO PNEUMATIC TRAIN: HC Deb 23 October 1973 vol 861 cc1217-24". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 23 October 1973. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  3. ^ Bull, J. T.; Cronin, J. E. (1978). "Introducing GN Electrics". Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. 192 (1): 72. doi:10.1243/PIME_PROC_1978_192_008_02. ISSN 0020-3483.
  4. ^ "High Density PEP stock on Southern Region". Testing Times. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  5. ^ "2-Pep and 4-Pep". Southern Railway E-mail Group. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  6. ^ "PEP: The commuter train of the future". Testing Times. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2016.