92.28.157.195: /* Preservation */

2025-09-28T14:21:52Z

Preservation

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{{Short description|Unpowered train carriage class (1966–1989)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2017}}
{{more citations needed|date=November 2013}}
{{Infobox Train
| name = British Rail Class 438 (4-TC)
| background = #012545;color:white
| image = Weymouth Quay railway station 1986.jpg
| imagesize = 300px
| caption = Class 438 unit at [[Weymouth Quay railway station|Weymouth Quay]]
| service = 1966–1989
| manufacturer = [[Holgate Road carriage works]]
| family = BR Mark 1 EMU
| constructed=1966–1967, 1974 (converted)
| formation = 4 car sets - DTSO-TFK-TBSK-DTSO
| numberbuilt = 34 sets, 1 spare DTSO
| fleetnumbers = 401–434, later 8001–8034
| weight = DTSO: {{convert|32.5|t}} TFK: {{convert|35.4|t}} TBSK: {{convert|33.6|t}} Total: {{convert|134|t}}
| capacity = 42 [[First class travel|First]], 160 [[Standard class travel|Standard]]
| operator = [[British Rail]]
| depots = [[Bournemouth Train & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot|Bournemouth TMD]]
| carlength = DTSO: {{convert|19.70|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}} TFK/TBSK: {{convert|19.65|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|2.82|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| maxspeed = {{convert|90|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}
| brakes = [[Railway airbrake|Air]] ([[Railway brake#Electropneumatic_brakes|EP]]/Auto)
| safety=[[Automatic Warning System|AWS]]
| hvac=Electric train heating
| bogies= B5
| gauge={{Track gauge|uksg|allk=on}}
| }}
The [[British Rail]] '''[[British Rail unit designations|TC]]''' (Trailer Control) multiple units were unpowered fixed formations of 3 or 4 carriages with a driving position at each end of the set, converted by BR's [[Holgate Road carriage works]] from locomotive-hauled Mark 1 carriages in 1966–1967 and 1974. The units built on experience gained from the prototype [[British Rail Class 6Pul#6TC|6TC unit]]. In time the 3 car units (3TC, numbered in the series 3xx) were reformed into four car units (4TC numbered in the series 4xx) to match the rest of the fleet and later classified as '''Class 442'''. This was later changed to '''Class 491''', under which they spent the majority of their working lives. Shortly before withdrawal they were reclassified '''Class 438''' and the units were renumbered to 8001-8034.

==Operation==
The units were primarily employed on services between [[London Waterloo railway station|London Waterloo]] and [[Weymouth railway station|Weymouth]]. One or two 4TC units would be propelled from London to [[Bournemouth railway station|Bournemouth]] by a {{Cvt|3200|hp|4=0|lk=on}} [[British Rail Class 432|4REP]] unit, controlled from the leading cab. At Bournemouth, one or both 4TCs would continue over the then unelectrified line to Weymouth, hauled by a [[British Rail Class 33|Class 33/1]] diesel locomotive, leaving the 4REP at the London end of Bournemouth station. Up trains from Weymouth would follow the same procedure in reverse: the Class 33/1 locomotive would propel its train to Bournemouth (controlled from the 4TC leading cab). There the 4TC/s would couple to the waiting 4REP which would then power the whole formation to London, leaving the Class 33/1 locomotive at Bournemouth to await the next such service. 4TC units were occasionally seen on other duties such as [[London Waterloo station|Waterloo]] to [[Salisbury railway station|Salisbury]], the [[Clapham Junction railway station|Clapham Junction]] to [[Kensington Olympia railway station|Kensington Olympia]] shuttle before that line was electrified and surplus units were also used on Sundays to operate [[Portsmouth Harbour railway station|Portsmouth Harbour]] to [[Reading railway station|Reading]] direct services during the late 1970s & early 1980s. They were pressed into general service as needed, often deputising for electric trains when the power was switched off and occasionally on inter-regional Southern Region services. They ventured further afield on special duties or rail-tours, including Birmingham, Cardiff, Barnstaple/Meeth & Meldon Quarry. Until the closure of the Swanage branch, a small number of through 4TC workings to/from Waterloo were operated, also using class 33/1 locomotives in similar style to the Weymouth trains.

The spare driving trailer second open (DTSO) number 76331 was equipped with an 'updated' interior - the seats were replaced with ''Inter-City'' style individual bucket seats (as used in the contemporary Mk2A/B/C carriages) and fluorescent lighting to match. This modified car was then placed into unit 417 from the early 1970s, and the displaced 76302 was kept spare at Bournemouth Traction Maintenance Depot.
No general refurbishment was ever undertaken on the units (see below regarding the work undertaken on 76327) and most of them ran with their original incandescent lighting until withdrawal. A feature of a journey in a 2x4TC/4REP train with the 4REP pushing, was severe jolting at station restarts; this upset many a hot drink over the years. This was particularly prevalent at stations on a descending gradient such as New Milton in the down direction. There would be sometimes several jolts of varying intensity until the couplings were fully compressed.
The Units were fitted with a motor-generator set for lighting supply and a single compressor; these drew power from the REP or loco through the [[Head end power|ETH]] jumpers.

In 1986, two 4TC sets were temporarily converted to 4TCB (Trailer Control Buffet) by removing the TFK coaches and inserting buffet coaches from withdrawn [[British Rail Class 432|4REP]] units. They were designated as the class 492/8 and numbered set 802 and 807. This was in part to compensate for the loss of the Buffet in TC+REP formations as those units were withdrawn over a period of time for scrapping to give up their traction equipment for the new Mk3 based [[British Rail Class 442|Wessex Electrics]].

In December 1987, the two 4TCB sets and four other 4TC sets were converted to 4TCT (Trailer Control Trolley) sets. The buffet coaches in the 4TCB sets and TFK coaches in 4TC sets were replaced with TFK coaches from redundant 4TC sets modified to take catering trolleys. They were designated the class 438/1 and numbered sets 101-106.

Following the withdrawal of the [[British Rail Class 432|4REP]] units, three temporary 5TCB sets were formed in 1988 by inserting REP buffet cars into 4TC sets. They were also designated as the class 492/8 and numbered sets 804, 807 and 809.

On occasion, class 33/0 locomotives were substituted for unavailable 33/1s; in this event the loco had to run-round at Weymouth and the starting bell Loudaphone inter-carriage telephone system could not be used, the guard having to resort to the use of a green flag to start the train at station stops.

At the time that the Clapham Junction - Kensington Olympia service was being run by Network South East with Class 73 traction DTSO number 76327 was part equipped with a modernised interior. The driving end was fitted with 4CEP style windows, ceiling (with fluorescent lights and luggage racks but with 3+2 Class 319 seating.
[[File:Refurb4TC002.jpg|thumb|Interior of refurbished end of 4TC coach 76327]]
[[File:Refurb4TC001.jpg|thumb|A BR Class 73 in Intercity livery with part refurbished 4TC in Network SouthEast livery at Clapham Junction showing one window of non-refurbished section.]]

[[File:73119 sandwiched between 2x 4-TCs at Waterloo.jpg|thumb|The flexibility of the 4-TC concept is illustrated here, as 73119 'Kentish Mercury' is providing the power whilst coupled to a 4-TC at each end.]]

==Accidents and incidents==
*On 25 February 1979, 4TC unit No. 414 formed a passenger train that was hauled by [[British Rail Class 33|Class 33]] locomotive 33 115. The train was in collision with an engineering train near {{rws|Hilsea}}, [[Hampshire]]. The crane in the engineering train was foul of the adjacent line, and a side-long collision occurred, severely damaging the locomotive and damaging all four carriages. One person was killed and nine were injured.<ref name=Hilsea>{{cite web |url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/MoT_Hilsea1979.pdf |title=Report on the Collision that occurred on 25th February 1979 between Hilsea and Fratton in the Southern Region British Railways |author=HM Railways Inspectorate |publisher=Railways Archive |access-date=17 February 2015}}</ref>
*On 12 December 1988, a train comprising [[4REP]] unit 2003 coupled to 4TC units 8015 and 8027 formed the 06:14 {{rws|Poole}} - [[London Waterloo station|Waterloo]] service, which ran into the rear of the 07:18 {{rws|Basingstoke}} - Waterloo train, formed of [[4VEP]] units 3033, 3119 and 3005 at {{rws|Clapham Junction}}. The two trains derailed and collided with a third train, formed of 4VEP units 3004 and 3425 running in the opposite direction on an adjacent line. Thirty-five people were killed, 415 were injured.<ref name=Hidden>{{cite book |title=Investigation into the Clapham Junction Railway Accident |first=Anthony |last=Hidden |publisher=Her Majesty's Stationery Office |location=London |year=1989 |pages=1, 23–25 |isbn=0-10-108202-9}}</ref><ref name=NSES88>{{cite web |url=https://www.nsers.org/jan-dec-88.html |title=January 1988 to December 1988 |publisher=Network South East Railway Society |first=John P |last=McCrickard |date=6 October 2016 |access-date=26 June 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180628154455/https://www.nsers.org/jan-dec-88.html |archive-date=28 June 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*:{{main|Clapham Junction rail crash}}

==Description==
The units were built in two batches. In the first batch, a total of 123 locomotive-hauled Mark 1 carriage were converted comprising 63 [[Tourist Standard Open|TSO]] to DTSO on Lot 30764, 32 [[Brake Standard Corridor|BSK]] to TBSK on Lot 30765 and 28 [[First Corridor|FK]] to TFK on Lot 30766.

In the second batch, 14 locomotive-hauled carriages were rebuilt comprising 2 BSK to TBSK on Lot 30855, 6 FK to TFK on Lot 30856, and 6 TSO to DTSO on Lot 30857. This work included converting the three 3TC units to 4TC. The 1974 build units were fitted with double-glazed windows (except for the sliding toplights) as fitted to contemporary CIG/BIG stock. They also differed from the 1967 units in having the contemporary CIG/BIG style of seating throughout.

Individual vehicle numbering is shown in the table below.

{| class="wikitable"
!Phase
!Class
!Type
!Unit Nos.
!DTSO
!TFK
!TBSK
!DTSO
|-
|rowspan=3|Phase 1 (1966–67)
|'''491'''
|4TC
|401-428
|76270, 76271-323 (odd)
|70844-871
|70812-839
|76332, 76272-324 (even)
|-
|'''492'''
|3TC
|301-303
|76325-329 (odd)
| -
|70840-842
|76326-330 (even)
|-
|'''Spare'''
|
|
|76311
| -
|70843
| -
|-
|rowspan=2|Phase 2 (1974)
|rowspan=2|'''491'''
|rowspan=2|4TC
|429-431 (ex-3TC units)
| -
|71162-164
| -
| -
|-
|432-434
|76943-947 (odd)
|71165-167
|70843 (ex-spare), 71160-161
|76944-948 (even)
|}

==Further use==
[[File:Metropolitan Railway Trailer Control Unit 76324.jpg|thumb|4TC vehicles in use on the Metropolitan line]]
[[File:Okehampton Station 4.jpg|thumb|Unit 417 at Okehampton Station]]
Following withdrawal from passenger service, several vehicles were sold for further use with [[London Underground]]. They were used primarily for special excursions trains on the [[Metropolitan line]], hauled by either [[steam locomotive]]s, or the preserved [[electric locomotive]] [[London Underground electric locomotives#Metropolitan Vickers Locomotives|No. 12 "Sarah Siddons"]].

Details of the vehicles sold to London Underground are given below. For further information, see [[London Underground coaching stock]].
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan=3|Unit Number
!valign="top"|Type
!valign="top"|Phase
!valign="top"|DTSO
!valign="top"|TFK
!valign="top"|TBSK
!valign="top"|DTSO
|-
|align=center|302
|align=center|430
|align=center|8030
|align=center|4TC
|align=center|Phase 2
|align=center|-
|align=center|71163
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
|-
|align=center|412
|align=center|8012
|align=center|-
|align=center|4TC
|align=center|Phase 1
|align=center|-
|align=center|70855
|align=center|70823
|align=center|-
|-
|align=center|413
|align=center|8013
|align=center|-
|align=center|4TC
|align=center|Phase 1
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
|align=center|70824
|align=center|-
|-
|align=center|415
|align=center|8015
|align=center|-
|align=center|4TC
|align=center|Phase 1
|align=center|76297
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
|align=center|76298
|-
|align=center|427
|align=center|8027
|align=center|-
|align=center|4TC
|align=center|Phase 1
|align=center|76322
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
|-
|align=center|428
|align=center|8028
|align=center|-
|align=center|4TC
|align=center|Phase 1
|align=center|76324
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
|}

Six 4TC vehicles were formed into a test train in 1994 for use by [[Eurostar]] to test the [[third rail]] pick-ups for use by the [[British Rail Class 373|Class 373]] EMUs. This train consisted of two DTSOs, three TFKs and a TBSK, combined with a [[British Rail Class 73|Class 73]] locomotive and converted [[British Rail Class 33|Class 33]] Driving Van.<ref>[http://semgorgu.ipower.com/gallery/eurotest.html Eurostar Test Train] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310185412/http://semgorgu.ipower.com/gallery/eurotest.html |date=10 March 2009 }} - SEMG</ref>

Preserved set 417, running with only three coaches, and preserved [[British Rail Class 33#Conversions – Class 33/1 – push-pull fitted locomotives|class 33/1]] 33103 were hired to [[Silverlink]] for a short time in August 1999 for use on the [[North London Line]].

==Preservation==
Two complete units and several other vehicles have been preserved. Unit no. 417 was one of the final two units in service with British Rail. The unit (highlighted pink) was one of two used by London Underground, and will ultimately be based on the [[Swanage Railway]], And the unit 428 (highlighted blue) is used by London Underground on special charters.

DTSO 76275 was originally going to be used with Hastings Diesel Limited [[British Rail Class 201|Class 201]] but now belongs to the Swanage Railway Trust, and will now replace a DTSO currently in their set.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hastingsdiesels.co.uk/news/articles/2007a01/|title=Hastings Diesels Limited - news article - Ex-4TC driving trailer 76275|first=Richard Griffin, for Hastings Diesels|last=Limited|website=www.hastingsdiesels.co.uk}}</ref>

Details are given below.

{| class="wikitable"
!colspan=4|Unit Number (current in bold)
!valign="top"|Type
!valign="top"|Phase
!valign="top"|DTSO
!valign="top"|TFK
!valign="top"|TBSK
!valign="top"|DTSO
!valign="top" align=left|Livery
!valign="top" align=left|Location
!valign="top" align=left|Notes
|-
|align=center|404
|align=center|8004
|align=center|3169
|align=center|'''3582'''
|align=center|4TC
| rowspan="2" align="center" |Phase 1
|align=center|76275
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
|BR Blue and Grey
|[[Swanage Railway]]
|Operated in [[British Rail Class 423|4Vep]] unit 3169/3582 between 1992–2004. Has been sold to the Swanage Railway Trust to replace DTSO 76298 currently in their set.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.4tc.org.uk/unit/index.php/news/35-2015-agm|title=2015 AGM|last=Administrator|website=www.4tc.org.uk|access-date=8 July 2015|archive-date=10 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710115231/http://www.4tc.org.uk/unit/index.php/news/35-2015-agm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.4tc.org.uk/unit/index.php/news/39-relationship-with-the-swanage-railway-trust-srt-and-status-of-group|title=Relationship with the Swanage Railway Trust (SRT) and status of group|last=Administrator|website=www.4tc.org.uk|access-date=10 November 2016|archive-date=11 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111061257/http://www.4tc.org.uk/unit/index.php/news/39-relationship-with-the-swanage-railway-trust-srt-and-status-of-group|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|405
|align=center|8005
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
|align=center|4TC
|align=center|76277
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
|Serco Railtest
|[[Dartmoor Railway]]
|Operated as DB 977335 in departmental service.
|-
|bgcolor="pink" align=center|412
|bgcolor="pink" align=center|8012
|bgcolor="pink" rowspan=4 align=center|'''"413"'''
|bgcolor="pink" rowspan=4 align=center|-
|bgcolor="pink" rowspan=4 align=center|4TC
|bgcolor="pink" rowspan=4 align=center|Phase 1
|align=center|-
|bgcolor="pink" align=center|70855
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
| bgcolor="pink" |LT maroon
| rowspan="4" bgcolor="pink" |[[Swanage Railway]]
|bgcolor="pink" rowspan=4|Operated by London Underground 1992–2003. Now owned by the Swanage Railway Trust.
70855 awaiting overhaul.

70824 undergoing overhaul.

76298 strategic spare, replaced by 76275.

76322 undergoing overhaul.
|-
|bgcolor="pink" align=center|413
|bgcolor="pink" align=center|8013
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
|bgcolor="pink" align=center|70824
|align=center|-
| bgcolor="pink" |BR Blue and Grey
|-
|bgcolor="pink" align=center|415
|bgcolor="pink" align=center|8015
|bgcolor="pink" align=center|76298
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
| bgcolor="pink" |LT maroon
|-
|bgcolor="pink" align=center|427
|bgcolor="pink" align=center|8027
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
|bgcolor="pink" align=center|76322
| bgcolor="pink" |BR Blue and Grey
|-
|align=center|'''415'''
|align=center|8015
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
|align=center|4TC
| rowspan="3" align="center" |Phase 1
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
|align=center|70826
|align=center|-
|BR Blue
|[[Sandford and Banwell railway station]]
|Formed with unit 417 until 2011, moved to [[Sandford and Banwell railway station]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cs.rhrp.org.uk/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=5033 |title=Archived copy |access-date=23 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409082123/http://www.cs.vintagecarriagestrust.org/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=5033 |archive-date=9 April 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
|-
|align=center|'''416'''
|align=center|8016
|align=center|8010
|align=center|-
|align=center|4TC
|align=center|-
|align=center|70859
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
|BR Blue
|[[Stravithie railway station]]
| -
|-
|align=center|'''417'''
|align=center|8017
|align=center|-
|align=center|-
|align=center|4TC
|align=center|76301
|align=center|70860
|align=center|-
|align=center|76302
|BR Blue
|Various
|Unit split in 2011 with 76301 and 76302 moving to [[Bellingham, Northumberland]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cs.rhrp.org.uk/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=5031 |title=Archived copy |access-date=23 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409151212/http://www.cs.vintagecarriagestrust.org/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=5031 |archive-date=9 April 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> 70860 moved to [[Old North Road station]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cs.rhrp.org.uk/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=5032 |title=Archived copy |access-date=23 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409053743/http://www.cs.vintagecarriagestrust.org/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=5032 |archive-date=9 April 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> 76301 Acquired by Swanage 4TC Group and moved to the [[Swanage Railway]] on 31 July 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Denison |first=John |date=6 August 2023 |title=Swanning Around Issue 100 |pages=27–28 |work=Swanning Around |url=https://www.srstaff.co.uk/swanningaround/swanningaug0623.pdf }}</ref> 76302 arrived on the Swanage Railway on 13 November 2023<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 December 2023 |title=Swanning Around Issue 104 |url=https://www.srstaff.co.uk/swanningaround/swanningdec0723.pdf |access-date=11 December 2023}}</ref>
|-
|bgcolor=#87CEFA align=center|'''428'''
|bgcolor=#87CEFA align=center|8028
|bgcolor=#87CEFA align=center|-
|bgcolor=#87CEFA align=center|-
|bgcolor=#87CEFA align=center|4TC
|bgcolor=#87CEFA align=center|Phase 1
|bgcolor=#87CEFA align=center|76297
|bgcolor=#87CEFA align=center|71163
|bgcolor=#87CEFA align=center|70823
|bgcolor=#87CEFA align=center|76324
|bgcolor=#87CEFA|LT Maroon
|bgcolor=#87CEFA|West Ruislip [[London Underground|LU]] depot
|bgcolor=#87CEFA|76297 was originally in unit 415, 71163 was originally in unit 302 and 70823 was originally in unit 412. Used by London Underground for special occasions.
|}

==Model==
In June 2016 it was announced a [[OO gauge]] model produced by Bachmann would be produced in collaboration with Kernow Model Rail, the models are available in a choice of six different livery variations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Class 438 4-TC unit |url=http://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/pg/156/Class-438-4-TC-Unit |website=Kernow Model Rail Centre |access-date=24 April 2019}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Sources===
*{{Marsden-SouthernEMU2|pages=73–84}}

==Further reading==
{{commons category|British Rail Class 438}}
*{{cite book|title=EMUs|first=Colin J.|last=Marsden|series=Motive Power Recognition|volume=2|publisher=Ian Allan|year=1982|pages=116–117|isbn=9780711011656|oclc=16537600}}
*{{cite magazine|title=The Southern success story|first=Colin J.|last=Marsden|magazine=[[RAIL (magazine)|Rail Enthusiast]]|publisher=EMAP National Publications|date=November 1984|pages=6–9, 11|issn=0262-561X|oclc=49957965}}

{{British Rail EMU}}

[[Category:British Rail electric multiple units|438]]
[[Category:Train-related introductions in 1966]]
[[Category:750 V DC multiple units]]

British Rail Class 438 - Revision history

92.28.157.195: /* Preservation */