British Rail Class 442

Electric multiple-unit train

The British Rail Class 442 Wessex Electric (or 5WES) electrical multiple units, were introduced in 1988 on the South Western Main Line from London Waterloo to Southampton Central, Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth. Twenty-four of these 5-car units were built between 1988 and 1989 by BREL at their Derby works. Their introduction coincided with the completion of electrification from Bournemouth to Weymouth. The entire fleet was operated by South West Trains up until February 2007, when the Class 442 services were replaced.

<British Rail Class 442 Wessex Electric
442419 "BBC South Today" at London Waterloo on 19 July 2003. This train is painted in South West Trains Express livery
In service1988– 2020
ManufacturerBREL
Built atDerby Works
Family nameMark 3-derived
Number built24 trainsets
Number in service8/17 trainsets
Formation5 cars per trainset
Capacity(SWT) 266 standard class, 50 first class
Operator(s)South Western Railway
Specifications
Car lengthDTS - 23.15 m (75 ft 11.4 in) TSO/TSW/MLC - 23 m (75 ft)
Width2.74 m (9 ft)
Height3.81 m (12.5 ft)
Maximum speed160 km/h (100 mph)
WeightTrainset total 202.84 t (199.64 long tons; 223.59 short tons)
Traction system4 x English Electric 546 of 300 kW (402.31 hp) each
Power output1,200 kW (1,610 hp)
Power supplyThird rail electric Contact Shoe
Electric system(s)750V DC
Braking system(s)Disc
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in) standard gauge
442402 "County of Hampshire" at Wool on 16 April 2004, with a South West Trains service from London Waterloo to Weymouth.
442407 "Thomas Hardy" at Moreton on 10 April 2006. This unit carries the revised South West Trains livery with differently coloured doors that conforms with the Disability Discrimination Act.