View source for British Rail Class 419

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2014}}
{{Infobox DMU
| name = <span style="color:white;">British Rail Class 419</span>
| image = The East Kent Railway EMU Gala 10.jpg
| imagesize = 300px
| caption = 9001 at {{stnlnk|Shepherdswell|EKLR}}, [[East Kent Railway (heritage)|East Kent Railway]]
| background = #B1004D
| manufacturer = BR Eastleigh<ref name="Marsden90">{{harvnb|Marsden|1982|p=90}}</ref>
| ordernumber = 30458 (68001-2)<br />30623 (68003-10)<ref name="FoxKnight103">{{harvnb|Fox|Knight|1988|p=103}}</ref>
| yearconstruction = 1959 (68001-2)<br />1960-61 (68003-10)<ref name="FoxKnight103" /><ref name="Longworth366">{{harvnb|Longworth|2015|p=366}}</ref>
| yearservice = 1959<ref name="Marsden90" />
| numberbuilt = 10
| formation = Single car
| diagram = EX560<ref name="FoxKnight103" /><ref name="BRBEMU210">{{cite book| title = Vehicle Diagram Book No. 210 for Electric Multiple Units (Including A.P.T.) | publisher = British Railways Board | location = Derby | date = 1981 | page = EX560 (pp. 422–3) | via=Barrowmore MRG |url=http://www.barrowmoremrg.co.uk/BRBDocuments/Diagram_Book_210_for_Issue.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121172506/http://www.barrowmoremrg.co.uk/BRBDocuments/Diagram_Book_210_for_Issue.pdf|archivedate=21 January 2015}}</ref>
| fleetnumbers = {{ubl|68001-68010 (car nos.)<ref name="Longworth148">{{harvnb|Longworth|2015|p=148}}</ref>|419001-419010 ([[TOPS]] unit nos.)<ref name="Marsden90" />}}
| operator = [[British Rail]]
| depots = [[Ramsgate EMU Depot|Ramsgate]]<ref name="FoxKnight103" />
| carlength = {{convert|19.64|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="FoxKnight103" />
| width = {{convert|9|ft|3|in|abbr=on}}<ref name="Marsden90" />
| height = {{convert|12|ft|9+1/2|in|abbr=on}}<ref name="Marsden90" />
| service = 1959 - 2004
| weight = {{convert|45.5|LT|t ST}}<ref name="Fox92">{{harvnb|Fox|1987|p=92}}</ref>
| maxspeed = {{convert|90|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}<ref name="FoxKnight103" />
| traction motors = 2 × {{convert|250|hp|abbr=on}} [[English Electric]] 507<ref name="Marsden90" /><ref name="Anon171">{{harvnb|Anon.|1980|p=171}}</ref><br /> total {{convert|500|hp|abbr=on}}
| collectionmethod = [[Third rail]]<ref name="Marsden90" />
| bogies = Mk 3B<ref name="Marsden90" />
| brakes = [[Railway airbrake|Air]] ([[Railway brake#Electropneumatic_brakes|EP]]/Auto), also fitted with [[vacuum exhauster]]<ref name="Marsden90" /> for hauling [[vacuum brake]] fitted van stock
| coupling = [[Janney coupler|Buckeye]]<ref name="Marsden90" />
| multipleworking = Within [[Southern Region of British Railways|Southern Region]] units and [[vacuum brake|vacuum]] stock<ref name="Marsden90" />
| gauge = {{Track gauge|1435mm|allk=on}}|
}}

The [[British Rail]] '''Class 419''' Motor Luggage Vans (or [[Southern Railway multiple unit numbering and classification#DC EMUs|MLV]]) were [[battery electric multiple unit]] cars built from 1959-61 by BR at [[Eastleigh railway works|Eastleigh]] Works.

==Description==
Each MLV unit is essentially a motorised [[Brake Gangwayed|BG carriage]], with a driver's position at each end. Each vehicle has two luggage compartments and a guard's compartment.<ref name="BRBEMU210" /><ref name="Marsden113" />

Ten of these units were built for the [[boat train]]s from [[London Victoria]] to [[Dover]]<ref name="Marsden90" /> and [[Folkestone]]. Units were originally numbered in the range 68001-68010, but were classified Class 419 under the TOPS system and were then renumbered 419001-419010, the numbers actually carried on the units in service reduced to 9001-9010, omitting the first two digits.

The units were able to work alone, hauling a limited load,{{refn|group="nb"|The vehicles were able to haul up to two trailer vans, if necessary.<ref name="Longworth64">{{harvnb|Longworth|2015|p=64}}</ref>}} or work in multiple with other [[Railway brake#Electropneumatic brakes|EP-type]] rolling stock,<ref name="Anon171" /> usually in conjunction with [[British Rail Class 410|Class 410]] and [[British Rail Class 411|Class 411]].<ref name="FoxKnight103" /><ref name="Fox92" /> The units were also fitted with batteries to allow them to operate over the short-distance of non-electrified quayside lines at Dover and Folkestone.<ref name="Anon171" /> The batteries allowed the units to be used at low-speed for 20–30 minutes, and could be recharged when the unit was taking power from 750&nbsp;V DC third-rail.

By 1963, it was discovered that one luggage carriage was insufficient for the boat train service.<ref name="Marsden113" /> Some trains were operated with paired MLVs, which resulted in a shortage of the vehicles.<ref name="Marsden113" /> To overcome the problem, six Trailer Luggage Vans (TLV) were introduced in 1968 and kept in use alongside the MLVs until 1975.<ref name="Marsden113" /> These were numbered 68201-68206 as [[British Rail Class 499 (Luggage Van)|Class 499]] and were conventional BG carriages, except for having their gangway ends sealed from use.<ref name="Marsden113" />

The MLVs were withdrawn from traffic in 1991-92, with the closure of [[Dover Western Docks railway station]] and the end of the boat train services.<ref name="Marsden113">{{harvnb|Marsden|2008|pp=113–4}}</ref>

==Prototype==
The design of the units was based on an earlier vehicle, numbered 68000, which was used as a parcels van on the [[Tyneside Electric|Tyneside DC electrified network]]. When the South Tyneside network was de-electrified in 1967, the unit was initially transferred for use on the Southport to Liverpool electric line before being withdrawn.

==Departmental service==
After withdrawal from normal service, the entire fleet was transferred to departmental service as [[British Rail Class 931|Class 931]] tractor units.<ref name="Longworth148" /><ref name="Marsden113" /> Unit 9006 was damaged in an accident at [[Ramsgate]] in 1994,{{contradictory inline|reason=Marsden 2008 is the given reference, however Longworth 2015 contradicts the date of 1994, instead giving a date of December 1991 for the accident.|date=March 2021}} resulting in it being withdrawn and subsequently scrapped.<ref name="Marsden113" /> Units 9003 and 9009 were specially repainted in BR Blue and [[Network SouthEast|LSE]] "Jaffa Cake" liveries, by staff at {{Stnlnk|Strawberry Hill}} depot, to commemorate the closure of the depot in 1995.<ref name="Marsden113" />

Most of the units were withdrawn again in 1997.<ref name="Marsden113" /> They were kept at [[Bournemouth]] depot, while they were waiting for disposal.<ref name="Marsden113" /> While there, units 9001 and 9002 stayed in use as depot shunters.<ref name="Marsden113" /> Unit 9001 was retired in 1998, and subsequently preserved.<ref name="Marsden113" /> Unit 9002 was kept by [[South West Trains]] until 2004, when former [[British Rail Class 411|4CEP]] unit 1512 replaced it.<ref name="Marsden113" />

==Preservation==
All but two of the units have been preserved.<ref name="Marsden113" /> One unit was scrapped after an accident whilst in service, and the other was scrapped in preservation.<ref name="Marsden113" />

The first unit to be preserved was first-built no. 9001, which was saved in 1998 after a campaign by the EPB Preservation Group. It was bought to power the group's preserved [[British Rail Class 416|2EPB]] unit, no. 5759.
The units dumped at [[Bournemouth]] were put out to tender in 1999, and were bought mainly for use as storage vehicles. Their ability to move under battery-power has also allowed limited passenger use.
The final unit to be saved was no. 9002, which has now been stored at Southall. After extensive overhaul at Southall 9002 ventured back onto the main line on 28 August 2015 when it was hauled by Battle Of Britain Class 34067 ''Tangmere'' to Ramsgate Depot for an open day, it returned a day later but has not been out since. The table below gives details of the current ({{As of|2016|lc=on}}) locations and fates of the Class 419 units.

==Fleet details==

{| class="wikitable"
!Key:
|style="background-color:#87CEFA"|Preserved
|style="background-color:#CECECE"|Scrapped
|}
<br>
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan=2|Unit Number
!rowspan=2 align=left|Final Livery
!rowspan=2|DMLV<ref name="Anon171" />
!rowspan=2|Introduced<ref name="Longworth148" />
!rowspan=2|Withdrawn
!rowspan=2 align=left|Status
|-
!Original<ref name="FoxKnight103" />
!Departmental<ref name="Longworth148" />
|-
|style="background-color:#87CEFA" align=center|9001
|style="background-color:#87CEFA" align=center|931091
|style="background-color:#87CEFA"|BR Green
|style="background-color:#87CEFA" align=center|68001
|style="background-color:#87CEFA" align=center|April 1959
|style="background-color:#87CEFA" align=center|1998
| rowspan="2" style="background-color:#87CEFA" |Stored at Southall
|-
|style="background-color:#87CEFA" align=center|9002
|style="background-color:#87CEFA" align=center|931092
|style="background-color:#87CEFA"|NSE
|style="background-color:#87CEFA" align=center|68002
|style="background-color:#87CEFA" align=center|May 1959
|style="background-color:#87CEFA" align=center|2004
|-
|style="background-color:#87CEFA" align=center|9003
|style="background-color:#87CEFA" align=center|931093
| rowspan="2" style="background-color:#87CEFA" |BR Green
|style="background-color:#87CEFA" align=center|68003
| rowspan="2" style="background-color:#87CEFA" align="center" |December 1960
| rowspan="3" style="background-color:#87CEFA" align="center" |1997
|style="background-color:#87CEFA"|Preserved at the [[Eden Valley Railway (heritage railway)|Eden Valley Railway]]
|-
|style="background-color:#87CEFA" align=center|9004
|style="background-color:#87CEFA" align=center|931094
|style="background-color:#87CEFA" align=center|68004
|style="background-color:#87CEFA"|Preserved at the [[Mid-Norfolk Railway]]
|-
|style="background-color:#87CEFA" align=center|9005
|style="background-color:#87CEFA" align=center|931095
|style="background-color:#87CEFA"|LSE "Jaffa Cake"
|style="background-color:#87CEFA" align=center|68005
|style="background-color:#87CEFA" align=center|January 1961
|style="background-color:#87CEFA"|Preserved at the [[Eden Valley Railway (heritage railway)|Eden Valley Railway]]
|-
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|9006
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|-
|style="background-color:#CECECE" |-
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|68006
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|January 1961
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|December 1991<ref name="Longworth148" />
|style="background-color:#CECECE" |Scrapped March 1994 following a collision.<ref name="Longworth148" />{{citation needed|date=May 2022|reason=[[WP:UGC]]/[[WP:SPS]] unreliable reference removed}}
|-
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|9007
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|931097
|style="background-color:#CECECE" |-
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|68007
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|February 1961
|style="background-color:#CECECE" align=center|1997
|style="background-color:#CECECE" |Scrapped 2006 for spares.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cs.rhrp.org.uk/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=3652|title=BR 68007 Class 419 Motor Luggage van (Scrapped) built 1959}}{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
|-
|style="background-color:#87CEFA" align=center|9008
|style="background-color:#87CEFA" align=center|931098
| rowspan="2" style="background-color:#87CEFA" |BR Green
|style="background-color:#87CEFA" align=center|68008
| rowspan="3" style="background-color:#87CEFA" align="center" |March 1961
| rowspan="3" style="background-color:#87CEFA" align="center" |1997
| rowspan="2" style="background-color:#87CEFA" |Stored at Southall
|-
|style="background-color:#87CEFA" align=center|9009
|style="background-color:#87CEFA" align=center|931099
|style="background-color:#87CEFA" align=center|68009
|-
|style="background-color:#87CEFA" align=center|9010
|style="background-color:#87CEFA" align=center|931090
|style="background-color:#87CEFA"|In house colours
|style="background-color:#87CEFA" align=center|68010
|style="background-color:#87CEFA"|Preserved at the [[Eden Valley Railway (heritage railway)|Eden Valley Railway]]
|}

==Models==
A [[OO gauge]] model of the Class 419 MLV has been produced by [[Bachmann Branchline]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://issuu.com/mortons-digital/docs/rmm_25012019-preview|title=The Railway Magazine Guide to Modelling|magazine=The Railway Magazine|page=12|date=February 2019|accessdate=19 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Southern Motor Luggage Van bags top marks!|first=Mike|last=Wild|magazine=Hornby Magazine|pages=84–85|issue=61|date=July 2012|location=Hersham|publisher=Ian Allan Publishing|issn=1753-2469|oclc=226087101}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{reflist|group="nb"}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

===Sources===
*{{cite book|author=Anon.|title=British Rail Motive Power Combined Volume|publisher=Ian Allan|year=1980|isbn=071101020X|oclc=71537558}}
*{{cite book|title=British Railways Pocket Book|volume=2, Multiple Unit Pocket Book|first=Peter|last=Fox|publisher=Platform 5|location=Sheffield|edition=Summer/Autumn 1987, 11|year=1987|isbn=0906579740|oclc=613347580}}
*{{cite book|title=British Railways Pocket Book|volume=2, Multiple Unit Pocket Book|first1=Peter|last1=Fox|first2=Steven|last2=Knight|publisher=Platform 5|location=Sheffield|edition=Summer 1988, 13|year=1988|isbn=0906579856|oclc=655236737}}
*{{cite book|title=British Railways Electric Multiple Units to 1975|first=Hugh|last=Longworth|publisher=Oxford Publishing Co.|year=2015|isbn=9780860936688|oclc=923205678}}
*{{cite book|title=EMUs|first=Colin J.|last=Marsden|series=Motive power recognition|volume=2|publisher=Ian Allan|year=1982|isbn=9780711011656|oclc=16537600}}
*{{cite book|title=The DC Electrics|first=Colin J.|last=Marsden|publisher=Ian Allan|year=2008|isbn=9780860936152|oclc=232131070}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book|title=DC Electric Trains and Locomotives in the British Isles|first=R.L.|last=Vickers|publisher=David and Charles|location=Newton Abbot|year=1986|page=80|isbn=0715386743|oclc=839555538}}
*{{cite magazine|title=The Southern's versatile MLVs|first=Basil|last=Cooper|pages=56–57|date=October 1983|magazine=[[RAIL (magazine)|Rail Enthusiast]]|publisher=EMAP National Publications|issn=0262-561X|oclc=49957965}}

==External links==
{{commons category|British Rail Class 419}}
*[http://www.semgonline.com/gallery/class419_01.html The Southern E-Group page on the Class 419s or MLVs.]
*[http://www.epbpg.co.uk/ EPB Preservation Group - owners of preserved units 9001 and 9002.]
*[http://www.evr-cumbria.org.uk/ Eden Valley Railway - owners of preserved units 9003 and 9005.]
{{British Rail EMU}}

[[Category:British Rail electric multiple units|419]]
[[Category:Non-passenger multiple units]]
[[Category:Train-related introductions in 1959]]
[[Category:750 V DC multiple units]]