View source for British Rail Class 442

{{short description|British Electric passenger trains}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox train
| name = British Rail Class 442<br />''Wessex Electrics''
| image = 48141767263 d56509e0e2 o (442403 near Shawford) (XAM-E1).jpg
| imagealt = 
| imagesize = 300px
| caption = [[South Western Railway (2017-2025)|South Western Railway]] Class 442 train near {{stnlnk|Shawford}} {{avoid wrap|in 2019}}
| interiorimage = SWR 442 Standard 2.jpg
| interiorimagealt = Interior of train
| interiorcaption = Standard-class saloon of an SWR-refurbished unit
| stocktype = 
| service = 1988{{snd}}March 2020
| manufacturer = [[British Rail Engineering Limited]]
| ordernumber = {{unbulleted list|31030 ({{abbr|DTF|Driver's cab, Trailer car, First class}} vehicles)|31031 ({{abbr|DTS|Driver's cab, Trailer car, Standard class}} vehicles)|31032 ({{abbr|TS(A)|Trailer car, Standard class, variant A}} vehicles)|31033 ({{abbr|TS(B)|Trailer car, Standard class, variant B}} vehicles)|31034 ({{abbr|MBLS|Motor car, Buffet, Luggage compartment, Standard class}} vehicles)<ref name=BRB210 />}}
| factory = [[Derby Litchurch Lane Works]]
| family = [[British Rail Mark 3|Mark 3]]
| replaced = {{unbulleted list|{{brc|432}}|{{brc|438}}|{{brc|460}}}}
| yearconstruction = 1987–1989
| yearservice = 
| refurbishment = {{ubl|2008–2009 (Gatwick Express)|2017–2018 (SWR)}}
| yearscrapped = 2020{{snd}}2021
| numberconstruction = 
| numberbuilt = 24
| numberpreserved = <!--THE PRESERVED VEHICLE IS COVERED IN THE FOLLOWING FIELD-->
| numberscrapped = 24<br />(except 1 preserved DTS vehicle)<ref name="secured">{{cite news |title=Future of Class 442 driving coach secured |url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/railways-illustrated/20210831/282011855449765 |access-date=23 January 2022 |work=Railways Illustrated  |publisher=Mortons Media Group |place=Horncastle |date=31 August 2021}}</ref>
| successor = {{unbulleted list|{{brc|387}}|{{brc|444}}}}
| formation = {{ubli|indent=1em|5 cars per unit;|As built:|{{abbr|DTF|Driver's cab, Trailer car, First class}}-{{abbr|TS(A)|Trailer car, Standard class, variant A}}-{{abbr|MBLS|Motor car, Buffet, Luggage compartment, Standard class}}-{{abbr|TS(B)|Trailer car, Standard class, variant B}}-{{abbr|DTS|Driver's cab, Trailer car, Standard class}}|As refurbished by SWR:<ref name=Marsden2011-240>{{cite book |title=Traction Recognition |first=Colin J. |last=Marsden |publisher=Ian Allan Publishing |publication-place=Hersham |edition=2nd |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-71103-494-5 |page=240}}</ref>|{{abbr|DTSO(A)|Driver's cab, Trailer car, Standard class, Open saloon, variant A}}-{{abbr|TSO|Trailer car, Standard class, Open saloon}}-{{abbr|MBC|Motor car, Buffet, Composite (first- and standard-class sections)}}-{{abbr|TSOW|Trailer car, Standard class, Open saloon, Wheelchair accommodation}}-{{abbr|DTSO(B)|Driver's cab, Trailer car, Standard class, Open saloon, variant B}}}}
| diagram = {{unbulleted list|DTF vehicles: EE160|TS(A) vehicles: EH288|MBLS vehicles: ED265|TS(B) vehicles: EH289|DTS vehicles: EE273<ref name=Fox94-4950>{{cite book |title=British Railways Pocket Book No. 4: Electric Multiple Units |first=Peter |last=Fox |publisher=Platform 5 Publishing |publication-place=Sheffield |edition=7th |year=1994 |isbn=978-1-87252-460-3 |pages=49–50}}</ref><ref name="BRB210">{{cite book |url= http://www.barrowmoremrg.co.uk/BRBDocuments/Diagram_Book_210_for_Issue.pdf |title=Vehicle Diagram Book No. 210 for Electric Multiple Units (including A.P.T.) |at=ED265, EE160, EE273, EH288, EH289 (in work pp. 126–129, 196–197, 364–367) |via=Barrowmore MRG |publisher=Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Department, British Railways Board |place=Derby |access-date=23 January 2022 |archive-date=21 January 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150121172506/http://www.barrowmoremrg.co.uk/BRBDocuments/Diagram_Book_210_for_Issue.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref>}}
| code = [[Southern Railway multiple unit numbering and classification|5-WES]]
| fleetnumbers = 442401–442424
| capacity = {{ubli|indent=1em|As built: 300 seats<ref name=BRB210 /> {{nowrap|(50 first class, 250 standard)}}|[[South West Trains|SWT]]: 316 seats {{nowrap|(50 first class, 266 standard)}}|[[Gatwick Express|GX]]: 346 seats {{nowrap|(24 first class, 322 standard)}}|[[South Western Railway (2017-2025)|SWR]]: 336 seats {{nowrap|(32 first class, 304 standard)}}}}
| owner = [[Angel Trains]]
| operator = {{ubl|[[Network SouthEast]]|[[South West Trains]]|[[Gatwick Express]]|[[South Western Railway (2017-2025)|South Western Railway]]}}
| depots = {{ubl|[[Bournemouth Train & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot|Bournemouth]]<ref name=Marsden2011-240 />|[[Stewarts Lane]] ([[London]])}}
| lines = {{unbulleted list|[[Brighton Main Line]]|[[Portsmouth Direct Line]]|[[South West Main Line]]}}
| carbody = [[Steel]]<ref name=BRB210 />
| trainlength = 
| carlength = {{convert|22.570|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name=BRB210 />
| width = {{convert|2.740|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name=BRB210 />
| height = {{convert|3.810|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name=BRB210 />
| floorheight = 
| platformheight = 
| entrylevelorstep = 
| doors = Single-leaf sliding [[Plug door|plug]] {{avoid wrap|(2 per side per car)<ref name=TRC1>{{cite web|url=http://www.therailwaycentre.com/Recognition%20Tech%20Data%20EMU/EMU_442.html|title=Class 442|work=The Railway Centre|access-date=26 February 2016|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014062204/http://www.therailwaycentre.com/Recognition%20Tech%20Data%20EMU/EMU_442.html|archive-date=14 October 2007}}</ref>}}
| wheeldiameter = 
| wheelbase = Over bogie centres: {{avoid wrap|{{convert|16.000|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name=BRB210 />}}

| maxspeed = {{convert|100|mph|abbr=on}}<ref name=BRB210 />
| weight = {{ubli|indent=1em|MBLS: {{convert|51|t}}|Trailers: {{convert|34|t}}<ref name=BRB210 />}}
| axleload = 
| traction = 
| traction motors = 4 × [[English Electric]] EE546,<br />each of {{convert|300|kW|abbr=on}}<ref name=TRC1 />
| poweroutput = {{convert|1200|kW|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}<ref name=TRC1 />
| tractiveeffort = 
| transmission = 
| acceleration = 
| deceleration = 
| aux = 
| powersupply = 
| hvac = Air conditioning<ref name=BRB210 />
| electricsystem = 750 [[Volt|V]] [[Direct current|DC]] [[third rail]]<ref name=BRB210 />
| collectionmethod = [[Current collector#Contact shoe|Contact shoe]]
| uicclass = 2′2′+2′2′+Bo′Bo′+2′2′+2′2′
| bogies = {{unbulleted list|Powered: BREL P7-3|Unpowered: BREL T3-7<ref name=BRB210 />}}
| minimum curve = {{cvt|90|m|ftin}}<ref name=BRB210 />
| brakes = [[Electro-pneumatic brake system on British railway trains|Electro-pneumatic]]<ref name=BRB210 />
| safety = {{ubl|[[Automatic Warning System#British Rail AWS|AWS]]|[[Train Protection & Warning System|TPWS]]}}
| coupling = Drop-head [[Janney coupler|Buckeye]]<ref name="sd001">{{cite book |title=System Data for Mechanical and Electrical Coupling of Rail Vehicles in support of GM/RT2190 |date=22 June 2011 |id=SD001 |publisher=Rail Safety and Standards Board |publication-place =London |page=4 |url=http://www.rssb.co.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/rv_coupling_system_data/SD001.pdf |access-date=22 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401203135/http://www.rssb.co.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/rv_coupling_system_data/SD001.pdf |archive-date=1 April 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| multipleworking = Within class, and with locomotives of Classes [[British Rail Class 33|33/1]] and [[British Rail Class 73|73/1]]<ref name=Marsden2011-240 /><ref name=Fox94-4950 />
| light = 
| gauge = {{Track gauge|sg|allk=on}}
| notes = 
}}

The '''British Rail Class 442''' ([[Southern Railway multiple unit numbering and classification#DC EMUs|5-WES]]) '''''Wessex Electrics''''' were [[electric multiple unit]] passenger trains introduced in 1988 by [[Network SouthEast]] on the [[South West Main Line]] from [[London Waterloo railway station|London Waterloo]] to [[Weymouth railway station|Weymouth]] to coincide with the electrification of the line from [[Bournemouth railway station|Bournemouth]]. Twenty-four five-car units were built by [[British Rail Engineering Limited]]'s [[Derby Litchurch Lane Works]].

Following the [[privatisation of British Rail]], the fleet was sold to [[Angel Trains]] and operated by [[South West Trains]] up until February 2007, when they were replaced by [[British Rail Class 444|Class 444]] and [[British Rail Class 450|Class 450s]]. After a period in storage, they were leased to [[Southern (train operating company)|Southern]] for use on [[Gatwick Express]] services from [[London Victoria station|London Victoria]] to [[Gatwick Airport railway station|Gatwick Airport]] and [[Brighton railway station|Brighton]]. The units were withdrawn from Gatwick Express services in 2016 and from Southern peak-hour [[London Bridge railway station|London Bridge]] to Brighton and [[Eastbourne railway station|Eastbourne]] services in March 2017. 

From 2019, eighteen were leased by [[South Western Railway (2017-2025)|South Western Railway]] and were refurbished for use on London Waterloo to [[Portsmouth Harbour railway station|Portsmouth Harbour]] services. However they were again withdrawn in March 2020 due to services being reduced as a result of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. In March 2021, South Western Railway purchased all 18 from Angel Trains, stripped the fleet of their recently refurbished equipment for parts and scrapped them.

The class holds the [[Land speed record for railed vehicles|world speed record]] for a [[third-rail]] train, having attained {{convert|109|mph|abbr=on}} on a test run prior to entering service.

==Description==
[[File:442410 First Class Interior.jpg|thumb|left|The interior of refurbished First Class section]]
The Class 442 is based on the [[British Rail Mark 3]] carriage bodyshell, and has a number of features which distinguish it from the slam-door units it replaced:
*Vehicle length is {{convert|23|m|ft|abbr=on}}, as opposed to {{convert|20|m|ft|abbr=on}}.
*All vehicles are air-conditioned, and have powered internal doors and external [[plug door]]s.
*Units consist of five vehicles, and operate as 5 or 10-car trains, replacing 4-car units which operated as 4, 8 or 12-car trains.
*Maximum permitted speed is {{convert|100|mph|abbr=on}}.

As was common on the [[Southern Region of British Railways|British Rail Southern Region]], many electrical components – including traction motors and electrical control gear – were salvaged from the [[British Rail Class 432|Class 432]] units they replaced. For this reason, the older [[British Rail Class 432|4REP]] and [[British Rail Class 438|4TC]] units had to be withdrawn before their replacements were built.

The 442 units are unique among all of the various Mark 3-based multiple-unit classes in that they use the full-length 23-metre version of the Mark 3 bodyshell with sealed, non-opening windows - hence they bear a very close resemblance to the coaching stock used in both HST sets and loco-hauled expresses.

The Class 442 was one of the first types to make extensive use of plastics in construction hence the nickname "Plastic Pig".<ref>{{cite web |title=Class 442 Wessex Electric EMU |url=http://www.traintesting.com/class_442.htm |access-date=6 April 2021 |website=Testing Times |last1=Coxon |first1=Dave}}</ref>

Dot matrix destination signs were originally provided on the top of the nose end gangway. They were removed in the early 1990s, due to legibility issues, and reinstalled at a different position in 2008, in preparation for service on the [[Gatwick Express]].

==Operations==
===Network SouthEast===
[[File:Weymouth station (September 1992).JPG|thumb|[[Network SouthEast]] Class 442 at {{stnlnk|Weymouth}} in September 1992]]
[[File:BR 442 410.jpg|thumb|[[Network SouthEast]] Class 442 approaching Mount Pleasant crossing, 1988]]
The first unit was handed over to [[Network SouthEast]] on 18 December 1987.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Network rolls out Wessex Electrics |magazine=Railway Gazette International |page=113 }}</ref>{{Full citation needed|date=February 2023}}<ref>{{cite magazine |title=First Wessex Electric handed-over |magazine=The Railway Magazine |issue=1043 |date=March 1988 |page=143 }}</ref> Prior to entering service, one set a [[Land speed record for railed vehicles|world speed record]] for a [[third-rail]] train of {{convert|109|mph|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Baker |first1=Michael |title=The Waterloo to Weymouth Line |date=1987 |publisher=Patrick Stephens |location=Wellingborough |isbn=0-85059-835-4 |page=187}}</ref> The units were initially used solely on the Weymouth line, but through the 1990s began to be used on the London Waterloo to [[Portsmouth Direct Line]]. The increased top speed of the Class 442, combined with timetable changes, resulted in some minor journey time improvements, for example a non-stop service reaching [[Southampton Airport Parkway railway station|Southampton Airport Parkway]] from [[London Waterloo railway station|London Waterloo]] in 58 minutes, over a journey of around {{convert|74|mi}}.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Network's flagship: The Class 442 (Wessex Electric) EMUs |magazine=[[Rail Magazine]] |issue=89 |date=February 1989 |pages=26–33 }}</ref>

===South West Trains===
[[File:2402 County of Hampshire.jpg|thumb|442402 in transitional SWT livery in 1996]]
[[File:2407 at Moreton, Dorset.JPG|thumb|Class 442 at {{stnlnk|Moreton|Dorset}} in April 2006]]
As part of the [[privatisation of British Rail]], the Class 442s were sold to [[Angel Trains]] and leased to [[South West Trains]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heavy-rail-fleet-angel-trains-class-442 |title=Heavy rail fleet accessibility compliance: Angel Trains Class 442 |author=Department for Transport |date=6 June 2013 }}</ref> Unit 442402 soon had an orange stripe added to its [[Network SouthEast]] livery, which looked very similar to [[Stagecoach Group|Stagecoach's]] corporate image. From 1998, the units began to receive the new South West Trains livery of white, red and blue as they underwent overhaul at [[Crewe Works]]. Unit 442404 was the first to be so treated.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=First new-look 'Wessex Electric' completed by Adtranz |magazine=Rail Magazine|issue=328 |date=8 April 1998 |page=12 }}</ref>

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, the fleet continued to operate express services from London to both Weymouth and Portsmouth. However, in 2004, when the [[British Rail Class 444|Class 444s]] entered service, the 442s were again used solely on the Weymouth line. In early 2006, the fleet began to receive overhauls, with units emerging in a slightly revised livery which conformed with the [[Disability Discrimination Act 1995|Disability Discrimination Act]]. By January 2007 14 of the 24 units had received overhauls.

Despite their recent overhauls, South West Trains withdrew the entire fleet in 2007. They were replaced by [[British Rail Class 444|Class 444s]], augmented by [[British Rail Class 450|Class 450s]], spare from the re-introduction of [[British Rail Class 458|Class 458s]].

The last Class 442 Weymouth to London Waterloo operation was on 24 January 2007 with the final service on 3 February 2007. The units were moved from [[Bournemouth Traction and Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot|Bournemouth Traincare Depot]] to [[Eastleigh Works]] for warm storage.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Class 442s bow out with SWT |magazine=[[Today's Railways UK]] |issue=64 |date=April 2007 |page=66 }}</ref>

===Southern/Gatwick Express===
[[File:Hugh llewelyn 442 442 (6620468847).jpg|thumb|Class 442 in Gatwick Express livery at {{stnlnk|Battersea Park}} in 2009]]
[[Southern (train operating company)|Southern]] leased 17 to operate the extended [[Gatwick Express]] service which began in December 2008. Originally, some units were kept out of service for spare parts.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/passenger/franchises/moretrains |title=More trains arriving on busy rail routes |publisher=[[Department for Transport]] |date=4 April 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070705181007/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/passenger/franchises/moretrains |archive-date=5 July 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Southern confirms plans to refresh Class 442 EMUs |magazine=Rail Magazine|issue=575 |date=26 September 2007 |page=70 }}</ref> In October 2008, unit 442414 became the first unit to be fully refurbished inside and out.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Class 442s receive an extensive internal refit before joining Gatwick Express |magazine=Rail Magazine|location= Peterborough |issue=606 |date=3 December 2008 |page=14 }}</ref>

The new extended Gatwick Express service was introduced on 15 December 2008.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/7782606.stm |title=Gatwick service benefits Brighton |work=BBC News |date=14 December 2008 }}</ref> The new service, operating Monday to Friday, comprised six services in the morning from Brighton and six services to Brighton in the evening with an additional service terminating at [[Haywards Heath railway station|Haywards Heath]].

In addition, some peak-hour services to/from [[London Bridge railway station|London Bridge]] to Brighton and [[Eastbourne railway station|Eastbourne]] were operated by pairs of Class 442s. In April 2009. Southern took an extra two units from Eastleigh Works to make up for the shortfall in units caused by their use on other services.

When [[Govia]] retained the Southern franchise, it was announced that the remaining off-lease 442s would return to service after an overhaul to replace [[British Rail Class 460|Class 460s]]. In 2012, the branding on the units was modified to read simply 'Express' rather than 'Gatwick Express' to avoid passenger confusion when used on fast [[Brighton Main Line]] services that do not call at Gatwick.

Govia ordered [[British Rail Class 387|Class 387/2]] EMUs for the Brighton and Gatwick Express routes. The 387s began to enter service on 29 February 2016, with the Class 442s phased out by the end of 2016, with the exception of the Brighton and Eastbourne peak-time commuter services that continued to be operated by a pair of 442s until March 2017.<ref>{{cite press release |title= New rail franchising deal set to transform passenger services across London and south east |url= https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-rail-franchising-deal-set-to-transform-passenger-services-across-london-and-south-east |access-date=9 June 2014 |publisher= Department for Transport (DfT)|date=23 May 2014}}</ref><ref name="railfebdebut">{{cite magazine |title=Late-February debut for Gatwick Express Class 387/2s |url= http://www.railmagazine.com/news/fleet/2016/02/03/late-february-debut-for-gatwick-express-class-387/2s |magazine=Rail Magazine|location= Peterborough }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Southern to retain six 442s |magazine=Today's Railways UK |location= Sheffield |issue=171 |date=March 2016 |page=69 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=First GatEx 442 sent off lease |magazine=Rail Magazine|issue=798 |date=13 April 2016 |page=30 }}</ref>

The last passenger service was on 10 March 2017 which was the 17:57 London Bridge to Brighton formed of units 442410 and 442413.<ref>{{cite news |title=The final 442 scheduled service |url=http://www.southernelectric.org.uk/2017/03/10/the-final-442-scheduled-service/ |access-date=12 March 2017 |work=SEG |date=10 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313043653/http://www.southernelectric.org.uk/2017/03/10/the-final-442-scheduled-service/ |archive-date=13 March 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> A railtour ran on 12 March 2017 by units 442402 and 442408 commemorated the final send off to the entire fleet from services on the Brighton Main Line.<ref>{{cite web |title=Society Tours, Trips and Visits |url=http://www.branchline.org.uk/events.php |access-date=12 March 2017 |work=Branch Line society |date=12 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226093952/http://www.branchline.org.uk/events.php |archive-date=26 February 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> All were taken to [[Ely, Cambridgeshire|Ely]] for storage.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Nine GTR Class 442s now removed from traffic |magazine=Rail Magazine|issue=804 |date=6 July 2016 |page=31 }}</ref>

===South Western Railway===
[[File:48039408277 59c2254217 o (442420 at Winchester) (XAM-E1).jpg|thumb|Class 442 in South Western Railway livery at {{stnlnk|Winchester}} in 2019]]
In March 2017, [[South Western Railway (2017-2025)|South Western Railway]] (SWR) was awarded the [[South Western franchise]], announcing plans to refurbish 18 Class 442s for use on London Waterloo to Portsmouth services.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Statement re South Western rail franchise award |url= http://otp.investis.com/generic/regulatory-story.aspx?newsid=857157&cid=858 |publisher= [[FirstGroup]] |date=27 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-03-27|title=First MTR joint venture wins South Western franchise|url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/europe/first-mtr-joint-venture-wins-south-western-franchise/44226.article|access-date=2022-03-23|website=Railway Gazette International|language=en}}</ref>

SWR awarded [[Kiepe Electric]] a contract to undertake the £45m refurbishment. Work was to include replacing the life-expired [[Direct current|DC]] traction equipment (salvaged from older trains built during the 1960s) with an [[AC power|AC]] package incorporating [[Insulated-gate bipolar transistor|IGBT]] technology from Kiepe Electric Düsseldorf. New brake controls from [[Knorr-Bremse]] Rail Vehicle Systems would have permitted [[Regenerative brake|regenerative braking]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |url= http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/traction-rolling-stock/single-view/view/south-western-railway-awards-class-442-refurbishment-contract.html |title= South Western Railway awards Class 442 refurbishment contract |magazine= Railway Gazette International |location= London |access-date= 26 October 2017 |date= 25 October 2017 |archive-date= 30 November 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171130012213/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/traction-rolling-stock/single-view/view/south-western-railway-awards-class-442-refurbishment-contract.html |url-status= dead }}</ref>

Delays led to the first services of refurbished units due to begin in May 2019. However, problems with the door locks<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-48295838 |title=SWR refurbished trains launch delayed over door safety |access-date=16 May 2019 |work=BBC News |date=16 May 2019}}</ref> caused the trains to be temporarily removed from service again until June 2019 for the fault to be rectified.<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-48580518 |title=SWR refurbished trains running after safety concerns delay |work=BBC News |date=10 June 2019 |access-date=10 June 2019}}</ref>

The same limited service continued until 2 September 2019, when they were withdrawn from service due to fears that the units were wrongly turning signals to danger as the train approached them. It was thought to be around the [[Earlsfield railway station|Earlsfield]] area that they were doing this which caused delays on the busy section of track they operated on.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Southworth |first=Phoebe |date=2 September 2019 |title=Newly-refurbished trains pulled from service over fears they are accidentally turning signals red or yellow |location= London |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/09/02/newly-refurbished-trains-pulled-service-fears-accidentally-turning/ |access-date=3 September 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-49555437 |title=Refurbished South Western Railway trains withdrawn |work=BBC News |date= 2 September 2019 |access-date=2 September 2019}}</ref> The withdrawal of the trains continued until the issue was resolved and testing of the units was undertaken, allowing the class to re-enter service on 6 January 2020 beginning on the London Waterloo to Portsmouth route this time.<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.globalrailwayreview.com/news/95443/refurbished-class-442-trains-swr/ |title=Refurbished Class 442 trains reintroduced into operation by SWR |website=Global Railway Review |date=20 January 2020 |access-date=27 January 2020}}</ref>

Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], on 18 March 2020, all were again taken out of service following the subsequent reduction of service levels. This became the last time that the units would see service as, in March 2021, South Western Railway purchased all 18 from Angel Trains to scrap them.<ref name="RMMay2021">{{cite magazine |title= SWR abandons £45m Class 442 refurb and favours Class 458s |magazine= The Railway Magazine |issue= 1442 | date= May 2021 | pages=96 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title= Surprise move as SWR drops Class 442s |magazine= [[Railways Illustrated]] |issue= June 2021 | page=6 }}</ref> SWR replaced them with rebuilt [[British Rail Class 458|Class 458s]].<ref name="RMMay2021" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=31 March 2021 |title=Class 442s to leave South Western Railway |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/uk/class-442s-to-leave-south-western-railway/58835.article |access-date=31 March 2021 |magazine=Railway Gazette International }}</ref> All had received new interiors and 14 of the 18 had been fitted with new traction equipment.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=SWR to scrap Wessex Electrics despite £45m upgrade |magazine= Rail Magazine|issue= 929| date=21 April 2021 |pages=6–7 }}</ref> All were taken to [[Wolverton Works]] for component recovery before being sent by road to [[Sims Metal]], [[Newport, Wales|Newport]] for scrapping.<ref>{{cite magazine |title= Final Plastic Pigs Leave Bournemouth |magazine= Railways Illustrated |issue= October 2021 |pages=18 }}</ref>

===Other proposals===
The [[Department for Transport]] gave bidders for the [[TransPennine Express]] franchise the option of using Class 442s.<ref>{{cite web|date=27 February 2015|title=TransPennine Express Invitation to Tender Clause 5.4.2.24 iv|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/407801/transpennine-express-invitation-to-tender.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201174829/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/407801/transpennine-express-invitation-to-tender.pdf|archive-date=1 February 2016|publisher=Department for Transport|page=93}}</ref> However, the winning bidder did not take up the option.<ref>{{cite news |title=FirstGroup awarded TransPennine Express franchise |url= http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/firstgroup-awarded-transpennine-express-franchise?dorewrite=false |access-date=9 December 2015 |work=Rail Technology Magazine |date=9 December 2015}}</ref>

In November 2016, [[Alliance Rail Holdings]] announced plans to use the 442s on a new intercity express service which would operate on the South West Main Line between London Waterloo and Southampton Central under the Grand Southern brand. The proposal was rejected by the [[Office of Rail & Road]] on 1 August 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-08-01|title=Southampton – London open access proposal rejected|url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/uk/southampton-london-open-access-proposal-rejected/46910.article|access-date=2022-03-23|website=Railway Gazette International|language=en}}</ref> The services would have operated as intercity services with each 5-car train offering around 300 seats.<ref>{{cite web |title= Competition proposed on Southampton – London rail services from December 2017 |url= http://www.alliancerail.co.uk/2016/11/081116-competition-proposed-on-southampton-london-rail-services-from-december-2017/ |publisher=Alliance Rail Holdings |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161117063108/http://www.alliancerail.co.uk/2016/11/081116-competition-proposed-on-southampton-london-rail-services-from-december-2017/ |archive-date=17 November 2016 |date=8 November 2016}}</ref>

In February 2020 the first two sets (442405 and 442424) were scrapped at Eastleigh.<ref>EMUs go for scrap ''Railways Illustrated'' March 2020 page 20</ref>

===Preservation===
In 2016 a driving car from 442401 was nominated for the [[National Collection]].<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Class 442 car claimed for National Collection|magazine=[[Rail Express]]|issue=238|date=March 2016|page=75}}</ref> After the [[National Railway Museum]] declined to take the nominated carriage, 77382, it was placed in the custody of Northumbria Rail, [[Bedlington]].<ref name="secured" />

A cab from 442405 has also been preserved at The Cab Yard at Cynhiedre, Wales.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Cab Yard - A cab ride with a difference |url=https://wearerailfans.com/c/article/locomotive-cab-yard |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=wearerailfans.com}}</ref>

==Accidents and incidents==
*On 3 September 1989, unit 442407 ran away at Bournemouth Depot and overran buffers.<ref name=NSES89>{{cite web |url=https://www.nsers.org/jan-dec-89.html |title=January 1989 to December 1989 |publisher=Network South East Railway Society |first=John P |last=McCrickard |date=6 October 2016 |access-date=26 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626223258/https://www.nsers.org/jan-dec-89.html |archive-date=26 June 2018 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>
*On 7 August 2016, a passenger travelling on unit 442411 was fatally injured when his head struck a signal gantry near Balham, south London. He had been leaning out of the window opposite the guard's compartment in the central carriage. This window could not be locked and there was no bar in place to prevent passengers from leaning out of it.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rail Accident Report - Fatal accident involving a train passenger near Balham |url= https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/59245646ed915d20f80000a9/R092017_170525_Balham.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190725095136/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/59245646ed915d20f80000a9/R092017_170525_Balham.pdf |archive-date=25 July 2019 |access-date=20 May 2020 |website=[[Rail Accident Investigation Branch]] |publisher=Department for Transport}}</ref>
*On 21 January 2020, a locked brake caused smoke to fill one of the carriages on unit 442413.<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/traffic-and-travel/hundreds-evacuated-petersfield-train-over-suspected-fire-1371230 |title=Hundreds evacuated from Petersfield train over suspected fire |work=The News |location= Portsmouth |date=21 January 2020 |first=Tom |last=Cotterill|access-date=7 February 2020}}</ref> Unlike modern stock, the 442s have no driver indication of such a fault.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Passengers report burning and smoke on a train at Petersfield |url= https://petersfieldradio.uk/2020/01/train-fire-in-petersfield/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 February 2020 |website=Petersfield Community Radio|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207122308/https://petersfieldradio.uk/2020/01/train-fire-in-petersfield/ |archive-date=7 February 2020 }}</ref> When the problem was discovered, the train was halted at [[Petersfield railway station|Petersfield]] and passengers were evacuated. The passengers praised the actions of the staff and train crew at the scene.<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/people/miserable-service-south-western-railway-must-improve-mps-demand-after-fire-evacuation-drama-train-1371727 |title='Miserable' SWR service must 'improve' after train fire evacuation – MPs demand |work=The News |location= Portsmouth |date=21 January 2020 |first=Tom |last=Cotterill |access-date=7 February 2020}}</ref>

==Fleet details==
{{more citations needed section|date=December 2018}}
Units were numbered 442401–442424 and were formed of two driving trailers, two intermediate trailers, and an intermediate motor vehicle. In accordance with [[Southern Region of British Railways|Southern Region]] practice, the units only carried the last four digits of their unit numbers when in service with Network SouthEast and South West Trains. Once refurbished for Southern, and subsequently South Western Railway, the units carried the full six digits.

The motor buffet vehicles were all modernised in a works programme at [[Crewe Works]] in 1997/98. At the same time units were repainted from their original [[Network SouthEast]] livery into South West Trains white livery. During 2006 Angel Trains sent some units to [[Bombardier Transportation|Bombardier]] at [[Ilford EMU Depot|Ilford]], where the livery was modified to make it [[Disability Discrimination Act 1995|DDA]] compliant; however, not all trains were modified as it was later announced that the trains were to be withdrawn from service. In 2008, units started to go to [[Wolverton Works]] for refurbishment. The refurbishment included the removal of the buffet from the motor coach, all new seats, and the relocation of first class from the front of the train to the motor coach.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ style="text-align: left;" | Vehicle details:
|-
! Number range !! BR/NSE code<ref name=BRB210 /> !! Description !! SWR designation<ref name=Marsden2011-240 /> !! Description
|-
| 77382–77405 || DTF || Driver's cab, Trailer car, First class || DTSO(A) || Driver's cab, Trailer car, Standard class, Open saloon, variant A
|-
| 71818–71841 || TS(A) || Trailer car, Standard class, variant A || TSO || Trailer car, Standard class, Open saloon
|-
| 62937–62960 || MBLS || Motor car, Buffet, Luggage compartment, Standard class || MBC || Motor car, Buffet, Composite (first- and standard-class sections)
|-
| 71842–71865 || TS(B) || Trailer car, Standard class, variant B || TSOW || Trailer car, Standard class, Open saloon, Wheelchair accommodation
|-
| 77406–77429 || DTS || Driver's cab, Trailer car, Standard class || DTSO(B) || Driver's cab, Trailer car, Standard class, Open saloon, variant B
|}

===List===
<!-- This is covered by the "more citations needed section" above -->
During the years of Network SouthEast and South West Trains, various units have received names. Most of these were towns or places along the routes that they worked, but a few were for publicity purposes. When the South West Trains lease expired all nameplates were removed.

{| class="wikitable"
!rowspan=2|Unit
!rowspan=2 align=left|Former name
!colspan=5|Vehicle numbers
!rowspan=2|Date withdrawn<br/><small>([[South West Trains|SWT]])</small>
!rowspan=2|Date withdrawn<br/><small>([[Gatwick Express|GX]])</small><ref>[http://www.southernelectric.org.uk/news/tsgn/2016-class442-into-store.html Class 442 Units Into Store] - Southern Electric Group. Retrieved 13 August 2016 {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160802172815/http://www.southernelectric.org.uk/news/tsgn/2016-class442-into-store.html |date=2 August 2016 }}</ref>
!rowspan=2|Date withdrawn<br/><small>([[South Western Railway (2017-2025)|SWR]])</small><ref>{{Cite news |date=2 September 2019 |title= Refurbished South Western Railway trains withdrawn |work=BBC News |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-49555437 |access-date=23 June 2021}}</ref>
!rowspan=2|Date back in service<br/><small>([[South Western Railway (2017-2025)|SWR]])</small>
!rowspan=2|Notes
|-
!width=55|DTF
!width=55|TS(A)
!width=55|MBLS
!width=55|TS(B)
!width=55|DTS
|-
!align=center|442401
|''[[Beaulieu, Hampshire|Beaulieu]]''
|align=center|77382
|align=center|71818
|align=center|62937
|align=center|71842
|align=center|77406
|align=center|22 January 2007
|align=center|7 May 2016
|align=center|
|align=center|Stored 
|align=center| Stripped for spares at Eastleigh Works, Jul 2020. 77382 preserved by Northumbrian Rail.<ref name="secured" />
|-
!align=center|442402
|''[[Hampshire|County of Hampshire]]''
|align=center|77383
|align=center|71819
|align=center|62938
|align=center|71843
|align=center|77407
|align=center|16 February 2007
|align=center|13 March 2017
|align=center|
|align=center|Stored 
|align=center|Stripped for spares at [[Wolverton railway works|Wolverton Works]], May 2021.<ref name="RailExpressAugust2021">{{cite magazine|last=Russell|first=David|title= Class 442 '5-WES' | department= Units| magazine= Rail Express |issue= 303 |date=August 2021 |page=31}}</ref>
|-
!align=center|442403
|''[[New Forest|The New Forest]]''
|align=center|77384
|align=center|71820
|align=center|62941
|align=center|71844
|align=center|77408
|align=center|17 January 2007
|align=center|
|align=center|2 September 2019
|align=center|24 June 2019
|align=center|Stripped for spares at [[Wolverton railway works|Wolverton Works]], June 2021.<ref name= RailExpressAugust2021 />
|-
!align=center|442404
|''[[Woking|Borough of Woking]]''
|align=center|77385
|align=center|71821
|align=center|62939
|align=center|71845
|align=center|77409
|align=center|15 January 2007
|align=center|24 May 2016
|align=center|2 September 2019
|align=center|&ndash;
|align=center|Stripped for spares at [[Wolverton railway works|Wolverton Works]], June 2021.<ref name= RailExpressAugust2021 />
|-
!align=center|442405
|''[[Portsmouth|City of Portsmouth]]''
|align=center|77386
|align=center|71822
|align=center|62944 
|align=center|71846
|align=center|77410
|align=center|15 February 2007
|align=center|
|align=center|
|align=center|&ndash;
|align=center|62944 scrapped at Raxstar Eastleigh, May 2020.
|-
!align=center|442406
|''[[HMS Victory|Victory]]''
|align=center|77389
|align=center|71823
|align=center|62942
|align=center|71847
|align=center|77411
|align=center|15 January 2007
|align=center|
|align=center|2 September 2019
|align=center|29 July 2019
|align=center|Stripped for spares at [[Wolverton railway works|Wolverton Works]], Feb 2021. Scrapped at [[Sims Metal Management|Sims Metals]] Newport in 2021.<ref name= RailExpressAugust2021 />
|-
!align=center|442407
|''[[Thomas Hardy]]''
|align=center|77388
|align=center|71824
|align=center|62943
|align=center|71848
|align=center|77412
|align=center|22 January 2007
|align=center|
|align=center|
|align=center|&ndash; 
|align=center|Scrapped
|-
!align=center|442408
|''[[Dorset|County of Dorset]]''
|align=center|77387
|align=center|71825
|align=center|62945
|align=center|71849
|align=center|77413
|align=center|17 January 2007
|align=center|13 March 2017
|align=center|2 September 2019
|align=center|24 June 2019
|align=center|Stripped for spares at [[Wolverton railway works|Wolverton Works]], June 2021.<ref name= RailExpressAugust2021 />
|-
!align=center|442409
|''[[Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra|Bournemouth Orchestras]]''
|align=center|77390
|align=center|71826
|align=center|62946
|align=center|71850
|align=center|77414
|align=center|12 January 2007
|align=center|7 May 2016
|align=center|
|align=center|&ndash; 
|align=center|Stripped for spares at [[Wolverton railway works|Wolverton Works]], June 2021.<ref name= RailExpressAugust2021 />
|-
!align=center|442410
|''[[Meridian Broadcasting|Meridian Tonight]]''
|align=center|77391
|align=center|71827
|align=center|62948
|align=center|71851
|align=center|77415
|align=center|24 January 2007
|align=center|11 March 2017
|align=center|2 September 2019
|align=center|10 June 2019
|align=center|Stripped for spares at [[Wolverton railway works|Wolverton Works]], May 2021
|-
!align=center|442411
|''Railway Children''
|align=center|77392
|align=center|71828
|align=center|62940
|align=center|71858
|align=center|77422
|align=center|29 January 2007
|align=center|
|align=center|2 September 2019
|align=center|&ndash;
|align=center|Stripped for spares at [[Wolverton railway works|Wolverton Works]], June 2021.<ref name= RailExpressAugust2021 />
|-
!align=center|442412
|''[[Special Olympics]]''
|align=center|77393
|align=center|71829
|align=center|62947
|align=center|71853
|align=center|77417
|align=center|12 February 2007
|align=center|
|align=center|
|align=center|&ndash; 
|align=center|Placed in storage at Eastleigh Works in March 2020
|-
!align=center|442413
|&ndash;
|align=center|77394
|align=center|71830
|align=center|62949
|align=center|71854
|align=center|77418<ref group=nb>For a short while the DTS vehicles from units 442413 and 442418 were swapped following problems with these units. The DTS from 442413 had a broken windscreen, and the motor coach in 442418 had suffered a failure. A complete working unit, numbered 442413, was thus created. The four coaches from the original 442413 carried the new livery, having just undergone overhaul, while the DTS (still numbered 2418) carried the old livery.</ref>
|align=center|2 February 2007
|align=center|11 March 2017
|align=center|2 September 2019
|align=center|19 August 2019
|align=center|Stripped for spares at Eastleigh works, June 2021.<ref name="RailExpressSeptember2021">{{cite magazine |last=Russell|first=David|title= Class 442 '5-WES' | department= Units| magazine= Rail Express |issue= 304 |date=September 2021 |page=31}}</ref>
|-
!align=center|442414
|&ndash;
|align=center|77395
|align=center|71831
|align=center|62950
|align=center|71855
|align=center|77419
|align=center|24 January 2007
|align=center|
|align=center|2 September 2019
|align=center|&ndash;
|align=center|Stripped for spares at Eastleigh Works, June 2021.<ref name= RailExpressSeptember2021 />
|-
!align=center|442415
|''[[Mary Rose]]''
|align=center|77396
|align=center|71832
|align=center|62951
|align=center|71856
|align=center|77420
|align=center|10 November 2006
|align=center|5 July 2016
|align=center|
|align=center|&ndash;
|align=center|Stripped for spares at [[Wolverton railway works|Wolverton Works]], July 2021.<ref name="RailExpressOctober2021">{{cite magazine |last=Russell|first=David|title= Class 442 '5-WES' | department= Units| magazine= Rail Express |issue= 305 |date=August 2021 |page=29}}</ref>
|-
!align=center|442416
|''Mum in a Million 1997 Doreen Scanlon''
|align=center|77397
|align=center|71833
|align=center|62952
|align=center|71857
|align=center|77421
|align=center|31 December 2006
|align=center|
|align=center|
|align=center|June 2021
|align=center|Stripped for spares at [[Wolverton railway works|Wolverton Works]] in Jan 2021, scrapped June 2021.
|-
!align=center|442417
|[[Woking|Woking Homes]]
|align=center|77398
|align=center|71834
|align=center|62953
|align=center|71852
|align=center|77416
|align=center|19 January 2007
|align=center|
|align=center|2 September 2019
|align=center|19 August 2019
|align=center|Stripped for spares at [[Wolverton railway works|Wolverton Works]], February 2021.
|-
!align=center|442418
|''Wessex Cancer Trust''
|align=center|77399
|align=center|71835
|align=center|62954
|align=center|71859
|align=center|77423
|align=center|24 January 2007
|align=center|20 May 2016
|align=center|
|align=center|
|align=center|Stripped for spares at [[Wolverton railway works|Wolverton Works]], July 2021.<ref name= RailExpressOctober2021 />
|-
!align=center|442419
|''[[BBC South Today]]''
|align=center|77400
|align=center|71836
|align=center|62955
|align=center|71860
|align=center|77424
|align=center|12 February 2007
|align=center|
|align=center|2 September 2019
|align=center|
|align=center|Stripped for spares at [[Wolverton railway works|Wolverton Works]], May 2021.
|-
!align=center|442420
|''[[Southampton|City of Southampton]]''
|align=center|77401
|align=center|71837
|align=center|62956
|align=center|71861
|align=center|77425
|align=center|12 January 2007
|align=center|
|align=center|2 September 2019
|align=center|10 June 2019
|align=center|Stripped for spares at [[Wolverton railway works|Wolverton Works]], May 2021.
|-
!align=center|442421
|&ndash;
|align=center|77402
|align=center|71838
|align=center|62957
|align=center|71862
|align=center|77426
|align=center|26 January 2007
|align=center|
|align=center|
|align=center|&ndash;
|align=center|Stripped for spares at Eastleigh Works, July 2020.
|-
!align=center|442422
|''[[Operation Overlord]]''
|align=center|77403
|align=center|71839
|align=center|62958
|align=center|71863
|align=center|77427
|align=center|11 January 2007
|align=center|8 April 2016
|align=center|2 September 2019
|align=center|&ndash;
|align=center|Stripped for spares at [[Wolverton railway works|Wolverton Works]], Jul 2021.<ref name= RailExpressSeptember2021 />
|-
!align=center|442423
|''[[Surrey|County of Surrey]]''
|align=center|77404
|align=center|71840
|align=center|62959
|align=center|71864
|align=center|77428
|align=center|18 April 2007
|align=center|7 July 2016
|align=center|2 September 2019
|align=center|&ndash;
|align=center|Stripped for spares at [[Wolverton railway works|Wolverton Works]], June 2021.
|-
!align=center|442424
|''Gerry Newson''
|align=center|77405
|align=center|71841
|align=center|62960
|align=center|71865
|align=center|77429
|align=center|22 January 2007
|align=center|20 May 2016
|align=center|
|align=center|&ndash;
|align=center|62960 scrapped at Raxstar Eastleigh, May 2020.
|}

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

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline|British Rail Class 442}}

{{Mark 3-derived}}
{{British Rail EMU}}

[[Category:British Rail electric multiple units|442]]
[[Category:BREL products|442]]
[[Category:Train-related introductions in 1988]]
[[Category:750 V DC multiple units]]