British Rail Class 488 Explained

British Rail Class 488
Background:
  1. 0033cc
Manufacturer:BREL, Derby Litchurch Lane Works
Operator:Network Rail
Ministry of Defence
Service:1973–present
Carlength:66feet
Width:9feet
Height:12feet
Weight:105t
Maxspeed:90mph
Bogies:B5
Formation:2-car (Class 488/2), 3-car (Class 488/3)

The British Rail Class 488 are unpowered trailer sets, converted from Mark 2F coaches for the Gatwick Express service from London Victoria to Gatwick Airport.

The sets were converted from conventional locomotive-hauled coaching stock in 1983–1984, and were used in combination with Class 73 electro-diesel locomotives and Class 489 luggage vans. Two variations were converted: 2-car sets (containing first class accommodation) and 3-car sets (containing standard class accommodation only). They are officially formed of two subclasses. The two-car units are classified as Class 488/2 and are numbered in the range 488201–488210 and the three-car sets are Class 488/3 and are numbered 488301–19.

Operations

After privatisation, the entire Class 488 fleet passed to the Gatwick Express franchise. One unit, 488301, was withdrawn before privatisation, following an accident at Battersea Park railway station in 1985.

Gatwick Express

Immediately after privatisation the Class 488 fleet was used exclusively on Gatwick Express trains. They were painted in the Gatwick Express variation of InterCity livery. Some sets were later reliveried with Continental Airlines advertisements, including units 488203/04/07/08/10, 488304/05/10/14/19.

From 2000 onwards, new trains in the form of Class 460 units were introduced to replace the old stock. By 2004 just six sets, formed into three 5-car rakes, were still in use with Gatwick Express. By January 2005 this had decreased to four sets. The sets were used sporadically during early 2005 but their use declined as the Class 460 reliability improved. Their final scheduled use was on 28 July following a special trip involving the two remaining Class 73 locomotives. They were replaced by two Class 458 units hired from South West Trains. They were used a few times after this date for emergency cover, but have now been withdrawn.

Network Rail

After retirement from Gatwick Express several sets were purchased by Network Rail for use as test trains or simply as brake-force runners. These sets have been repainted into either the now obsolete Railtrack blue/lime green livery or the new Network Rail yellow livery. Two sets, 8307 and 8309, have been reclassified as Class 910 departmental units and renumbered 910002 and 910001 respectively. In addition two coaches have been converted for departmental use with Network Rail:

Northern Ireland Railways

In 2001 eight carriages were sold to Northern Ireland Railways for further use as locomotive-hauled stock in combination with the 111 Class locomotive, and renumbered 8941 to 8948.

The NIR coaches were withdrawn on 19 January 2005, but were re-introduced in September 2006 to provide extra capacity on the Portadown to Belfast Central service, making one trip every morning. (Coaches 943+944 did not re-enter service and were used for parts). In 2009 the locomotives and coaches were due to be converted to push-pull operation following the purchase by NIR of a DBSO last used by National Express East Anglia. However, this never happened and the entire fleet was withdrawn on 18 June 2009.

Ministry of Defence

Preservation

Several complete sets have been preserved. These are listed below.

In addition, 72641 is preserved at Dalton and 72707 the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway. Ian Welch of the Mainline Steam Trust in New Zealand has purchased a number of ex-BR MkII cars formerly used on this service. Three cars comprising set 488313 (TSOLH 72624 and 72625, TSOL 72172) and a further two from 488209 (TFOH 72508 and TSOH 72644) arrived in New Zealand in 2008, still bearing the Intercity livery with 'Gatwick Express' branding. Most of the cars are in interim storage at Hutt Workshops in Wellington, while others have been trucked to the MLST Wellington base at Plimmerton.

These cars at present have not been equipped with bogies, and are transferred from Hutt to MLST Wellington by road. They will be fitted with either x-28020 bogies ex-FM guard's vans, or x-27750 'Kinki' bogies ex-FS steam-heating vans as part of the overhaul to bring them up to code-compliance for operation in New Zealand. Unlike most MkII cars in New Zealand, they are receiving only minor modifications to allow them to run in New Zealand, and will receive new numbers. They will also receive new names as well as the new MLST MkII livery of Pearl Grey roof with Midnight Blue body and white window band.

The ex-NIR carriages are now owned by RPSI, and currently in storage until they can join the RPSI's existing Mk2 fleet sometime in 2019.

Fleet status

Key:In serviceWithdrawnPreservedDepartmental UseFurther UseScrapped

Class 488/2
Unit No.Vehicle Numbersalign=left rowspan=2Liveryalign=left rowspan=2OperatorWithdrawnalign=left rowspan=2Status
TFOHTSOH
bgcolor=#cecece align=center488201bgcolor=#cecece align=center72500bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 3413bgcolor=#cecece align=center72638bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 6068Gatwick ExpressCotswold Railbgcolor=#cecece align=center2002Scrapped (2004)
bgcolor=#87cefa align=center488202bgcolor=#87cefa align=center72501bgcolor=#87cefa align=centerex 3382bgcolor=#87cefa align=center72617bgcolor=#87cefa align=centerex 6086Gatwick ExpressGatwick Expressbgcolor=#87cefa align=center2005Preserved
bgcolor=#cecece align=center488203bgcolor=#cecece align=center72502bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 3321bgcolor=#cecece align=center72640bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 6097Gatwick Express (Advertising)Network Railbgcolor=#cecece align=center2002Scrapped, 72640 scrapped 2007.[1]
bgcolor=#87cefa align=center488204bgcolor=#f4a460 align=center72503bgcolor=#f4a460 align=centerex 3407bgcolor=#87cefa align=center72641bgcolor=#87cefa align=centerex 6079Gatwick Express (Advertising)Network Railbgcolor=#87cefa align=center200272503 departmental service, 72641 preserved.[2]
bgcolor=#cecece align=center488205bgcolor=#cecece align=center72504bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 3406bgcolor=#cecece align=center72628bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 6058Gatwick ExpressGatwick Expressbgcolor=#cecece align=center2002Scrapped (2003)
bgcolor=#87cefa align=center488206bgcolor=#87cefa align=center72505bgcolor=#87cefa align=centerex 3415bgcolor=#87cefa align=center72629bgcolor=#87cefa align=centerex 6048Gatwick ExpressGatwick Expressbgcolor=#87cefa align=center2005Preserved
bgcolor=#cecece align=center488207bgcolor=#cecece align=center72506bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 3335bgcolor=#cecece align=center72642bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 6076Gatwick Express (Advertising)Cotswold Railbgcolor=#cecece align=center2002Scrapped (2004)
bgcolor=#cecece align=center488208bgcolor=#cecece align=center72507bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 3412bgcolor=#cecece align=center72643bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 6040Gatwick Express (Advertising)GB Railfreightbgcolor=#cecece align=center2002Sent for Scrap 29/04/09
bgcolor=#98ff98 align=center488209bgcolor=#98ff98 align=center72508bgcolor=#98ff98 align=centerex 3409bgcolor=#98ff98 align=center72644bgcolor=#98ff98 align=centerex 6039bgcolor=#98ff98 Gatwick Expressbgcolor=#98ff98 Gatwick Expressbgcolor=#98ff98 align=center2004bgcolor=#98ff98 Sold to New Zealand-based Mainline Steam Trust
bgcolor=#98ff98 align=center488210bgcolor=#98ff98 align=center72509bgcolor=#98ff98 align=centerex 3398bgcolor=#98ff98 align=center72635bgcolor=#98ff98 align=centerex 6128Gatwick ExpressGatwick Expressbgcolor=#98ff98 align=center2002Sold to MoD for use at Marchwood Military Port. For sale.[3]

Class 488/3
Unit No.Vehicle Numbersalign=left rowspan=2Liveryalign=left rowspan=2OperatorWithdrawnalign=left rowspan=2Status
TSOLHTSOLTSOLH
bgcolor=cecece align=center488301bgcolor=cecece align=center72600bgcolor=cecece align=centerex-6125bgcolor=cecece align=center72700bgcolor=cecece align=centerex-6131bgcolor=cecece align=center72601bgcolor=cecece align=centerex-6133InterCityBritish Railbgcolor=cecece align=center1985Scrapped (1987)
bgcolor=cecece align=center488302bgcolor=cecece align=center72602bgcolor=cecece align=centerex 6130bgcolor=cecece align=center72701bgcolor=cecece align=centerex 6088bgcolor=cecece align=center72604bgcolor=cecece align=centerex 6087Gatwick ExpressGatwick Expressbgcolor=cecece align=center2003Scrapped (2003)
bgcolor=#cecece align=center488303bgcolor=#cecece align=center72603bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 6093bgcolor=#cecece align=center72702bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 6099bgcolor=#cecece align=center72608bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 6077Gatwick ExpressNetwork Railbgcolor=#cecece align=center2002Scrapped, 72603 scrapped 2007 and 72608 2009.[4] [5]
bgcolor=#cecece align=center488304bgcolor=#cecece align=center72606bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 6084bgcolor=#cecece align=center72703bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 6075bgcolor=#cecece align=center72611bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 6083Gatwick ExpressGatwick Expressbgcolor=#cecece align=center2002Scrapped (2010).[6] [7] [8]
bgcolor=#87cefa align=center488305bgcolor=#87cefa align=center72605bgcolor=#87cefa align=centerex 6082bgcolor=#87cefa align=center72704bgcolor=#87cefa align=centerex 6132bgcolor=#87cefa align=center72609bgcolor=#87cefa align=centerex 6080Northern Ireland RailwaysNorthern Ireland Railwaysbgcolor=#87cefa align=center2009Preserved
bgcolor=#cecece align=center488306bgcolor=#cecece align=center72607bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 6020bgcolor=#cecece align=center72705bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 6032bgcolor=#cecece align=center72610bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 6074Gatwick ExpressCotswold Railbgcolor=#cecece align=center2002Scrapped (2004)
bgcolor=#f4a460 align=center488307bgcolor=#f4a460 align=center72612bgcolor=#f4a460 align=centerex 6156bgcolor=#cecece align=center72706bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 6143bgcolor=#f4a460 align=center72613bgcolor=#f4a460 align=centerex 6126Railtrack Blue/GreenNetwork Railbgcolor=#f4a460 align=center2004Renumbered 910002, 72706 scrapped 2006.[9]
bgcolor=#f4a460 align=center488308bgcolor=#cecece align=center72614bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 6090bgcolor=#87cefa align=center72707bgcolor=#87cefa align=centerex 6127bgcolor=#f4a460 align=center72615bgcolor=#f4a460 align=centerex 5938bgcolor=#f4a460 Railtrack Blue/Greenbgcolor=#f4a460 Network Railbgcolor=#f4a460 align=center-bgcolor=#f4a460 In service, 72614 scrapped 2014,[10] 72707 preserved.[11]
bgcolor=#f4a460 align=center488309bgcolor=#f4a460 align=center72616bgcolor=#f4a460 align=centerex 6007bgcolor=#cecece align=center72708bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 6095bgcolor=#f4a460 align=center72639bgcolor=#f4a460 align=centerex 6070Railtrack Blue/GreenNetwork Railbgcolor=#f4a460 align=center2004Renumbered 910001, 72708 scrapped 2008.[12]
bgcolor=#cecece align=center488310bgcolor=#cecece align=center72618bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 6044bgcolor=#cecece align=center72709bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 5982bgcolor=#cecece align=center72619bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 5909Gatwick ExpressGatwick Expressbgcolor=#cecece align=center2002Scrapped (2012).[13] [14] [15]
bgcolor=#87cefa align=center488311bgcolor=#87cefa align=center72620bgcolor=#87cefa align=centerex 6140bgcolor=#87cefa align=center72710bgcolor=#87cefa align=centerex 6003bgcolor=#87cefa align=center72621bgcolor=#87cefa align=centerex 6108Gatwick ExpressGatwick Expressbgcolor=#87cefa align=center2005Preserved
bgcolor=#cecece align=center488312bgcolor=#cecece align=center72622bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 6004bgcolor=#cecece align=center72711bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 6109bgcolor=#cecece align=center72623bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 6118Gatwick ExpressGB Railfreightbgcolor=#cecece align=center2002Sent for scrap 29/04/09
bgcolor=#98ff98 align=center488313bgcolor=#98ff98 align=center72624bgcolor=#98ff98 align=centerex 5972bgcolor=#98ff98 align=center72712bgcolor=#98ff98 align=centerex 6091bgcolor=#98ff98 align=center72625bgcolor=#98ff98 align=centerex 6085bgcolor=#98ff98 Gatwick Expressbgcolor=#98ff98 Gatwick Expressbgcolor=#98ff98 align=center2004bgcolor=#98ff98 Sold to New Zealand-based Mainline Steam Trust
bgcolor=#87cefa align=center488314bgcolor=#87cefa align=center72626bgcolor=#87cefa align=centerex 6017bgcolor=#87cefa align=center72713bgcolor=#87cefa align=centerex 6023bgcolor=#87cefa align=center72627bgcolor=#87cefa align=centerex 5974Northern Ireland RailwaysNorthern Ireland Railwaysbgcolor=#87cefa align=center2009Preserved
bgcolor=#cecece align=center488315bgcolor=#cecece align=center72636bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 6071bgcolor=#cecece align=center72714bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 6092bgcolor=#cecece align=center72645bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 5942Gatwick ExpressGB Railfreightbgcolor=#cecece align=center2002Sent for scrap 29/04/09
bgcolor=#f4a460 align=center488316bgcolor=#f4a460 align=center72630bgcolor=#f4a460 align=centerex 6094bgcolor=#f4a460 align=center72715bgcolor=#f4a460 align=centerex 6019bgcolor=#f4a460 align=center72631bgcolor=#f4a460 align=centerex 6096bgcolor=#f4a460 Railtrack Blue/Greenbgcolor=#f4a460 Network Railbgcolor=#f4a460 align=center-bgcolor=#f4a460 In service
bgcolor=#cecece align=center488317bgcolor=#cecece align=center72632bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 6072bgcolor=#cecece align=center72716bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 6114bgcolor=#cecece align=center72633bgcolor=#cecece align=centerex 6129bgcolor=#cecece Gatwick Expressbgcolor=#cecece Gatwick Expressbgcolor=#cecece align=center2003bgcolor=#cecece Sent for scrap
bgcolor=#87cefa align=center488318bgcolor=#87cefa align=center72634bgcolor=#87cefa align=centerex 6089bgcolor=#87cefa align=center72717bgcolor=#87cefa align=centerex 6069bgcolor=#87cefa align=center72637bgcolor=#87cefa align=centerex 6098Northern Ireland RailwaysNorthern Ireland Railwaysbgcolor=#87cefa align=center2009Preserved
bgcolor=#87cefa align=center488319bgcolor=#87cefa align=center72646bgcolor=#87cefa align=centerex 6078bgcolor=#87cefa align=center72718bgcolor=#87cefa align=centerex 5979bgcolor=#87cefa align=center72647bgcolor=#87cefa align=centerex 6081Northern Ireland RailwaysNorthern Ireland Railwaysbgcolor=#87cefa align=center2009Preserved

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 72640 - Test Train coach « Test Trains, Departmental railway stock & Internal Users - departmentals.com. www.departmentals.com.
  2. Web site: BR 6079 Mk 2f Tourist Second Open later Class 488/2 built 1973. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140409093843/http://www.cs.vintagecarriagestrust.org/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=5769 . 9 April 2014 .
  3. Web site: BR 6128 Mk 2f Tourist Second Open built 1974. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140409075520/http://www.cs.vintagecarriagestrust.org/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=5975 . 9 April 2014 .
  4. Web site: 72603 - Test Train coach « Test Trains, Departmental railway stock & Internal Users - departmentals.com. www.departmentals.com.
  5. Web site: BR 6077 Mk 2f Tourist Second Open (scrapped) built 1973. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140409013953/http://www.cs.vintagecarriagestrust.org/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=5664 . 9 April 2014 .
  6. Web site: BR 6075 Mk 2f Tourist Second Open (scrapped) built 1973 . 26 May 2016 . 26 December 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151226124325/http://www.cs.vintagecarriagestrust.org/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=5018 . dead .
  7. Web site: BR 6083 Mk 2f Tourist Second Open (scrapped) built 1973. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140409094815/http://www.cs.vintagecarriagestrust.org/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=5015 . 9 April 2014 .
  8. Web site: BR 6084 Mk 2f Tourist Second Open (scrapped) built 1973. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140409042201/http://www.cs.vintagecarriagestrust.org/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=5014 . 9 April 2014 .
  9. Web site: 72706 - Test Train coach « Test Trains, Departmental railway stock & Internal Users - departmentals.com. www.departmentals.com.
  10. Web site: 72614 - « Test Trains, Departmental railway stock & Internal Users - departmentals.com. www.departmentals.com.
  11. Web site: BR 6127 Mk 2f Tourist Second Open built 1974. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140409011629/http://www.cs.vintagecarriagestrust.org/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=14932 . 9 April 2014 .
  12. Web site: 72708. departmentals.com.
  13. Web site: BR 5909 Mk 2f Tourist Second Open (scrapped) built 1973. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140409131237/http://www.cs.vintagecarriagestrust.org/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=5017 . 9 April 2014 .
  14. Web site: BR 5982 Mk 2f Tourist Second Open (scrapped) built 1973. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140409035952/http://www.cs.vintagecarriagestrust.org/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=5019 . 9 April 2014 .
  15. Web site: BR 6044 Mk 2f Tourist Second Open (scrapped) built 1973. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140409025540/http://www.cs.vintagecarriagestrust.org/se/CarriageInfo.asp?Ref=5016 . 9 April 2014 .

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