British Rail Class 450 Desiro Living in the Lake district in the North west of England I rarely get chance to see any third rail electric stock on the old London South Western main line but showing my Z gauge model railway layout at the Farnborough REC show gave me chance to spend a few hours at West Byfleet station The British Rail Class 450 third rail DCEMU began service during 2003. They are a part of the Siemens Desiro modular train family and are more popularly known as the 'Blue Desiro'. In standing with requirements of all new rolling stock for the South East region, provision has been made for future conversion to 25 kV ACoverhead supply or dual voltage, although at present no trains have been fitted with a pantograph. Used for outer suburban services, the Class 450 was built with standard and first class accommodation. The unit has a maximum speed of 100 mph (160 km/h). . The interior aboard a DMSO vehicle from a high density Class 450/5 DesiroIn service2003 -ManufacturerSiemens AGFamily nameDesiroConstructed2002 - 2006Entered service2003 - 2006Number built127 trainsetsFormation4 cars per trainsetFleet numbers450001–450042 450071–450127 450543–450570Capacity450/0 24 first class, 240 standard class per trainset - 450/5 240 standard class per trainsetOperatorSouth West TrainsSpecificationsCar body constructionAluminiumCar length20.4 m (66.9 ft)Width2.796 m (9.2 ft)DoorsPlug sliding 1/4 and 3/4 positionArticulated sectionsInter-unit and inter-vehicle flexible diaphragmMaximum speed100 mph (160 km/h)WeightTotal: 170 tonnesPower supplyThird railElectric system(s)750V DCBraking system(s)Air, regenerative Thse units kept rattling through regularly and their distinctive twittering noise when starting was quite attention grabbing In April 2001 785 vehicles were ordered by South West Trains in order to complete the replacement of its slam door rolling stock. Introduction to service was delayed by the required power supply upgrades capable of powering the new trains. In the December 2004 timetable change the Class 450 Desiro began serving most intended routes, although introduction was delayed until June 2005 in some areas. The units are leased by Angel Trains to South West Trains. Formation The entire Class 450 series consists of four car multiple units, semi permanently formed as DMSO(A)+TCO+TSO+DMSO(B). Units are numbered in the range 450001-110. 63201-63300 and 63751-63760 - DMSO(A) 64201-64300 and 66851-66860 - TCO 68101-68200 and 66801-66810 - TSO 63601-63700 and 63701-63710 - DMSO(B) On this video you can here the distinctive sound of these units http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBy-JVmZwIg cheers KEV
I could ride on these trains on 2005, from London to Twickenham. I liked them very much! Do you know if these exists in OO scale? Greetings!
