Class 460 "Gatwick Express"
| Class 460 Alstom Juniper are 8 coach units built for the Gatwick Express to replace the class 73 loco hauled sets of class 488 carriages & class 489 motor luggage vans. |
After much testing the first unit 460004 entered service
on Friday, 22nd September 2000. Units are made up of:-
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| The set is powered by a total of 10 Alstom ONIX 800 270kW traction motors (2 per motor unit). Maximum speed is 100 mph and the unit is gangwayed internally only. The sets run with the DMF on the London end because this vehicle contains the luggage compartment and the porters/ airline baggage handlers use the barrow crossing at the up end of platforms 1&2 to transfer baggage from the station to the flight terminal. |
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DMF N° 67904 of unit 460004 is seen at the buffer stops
of London Victoria about 8:30pm on Monday, 18th September 2000 while undergoing
trials. This unit contains the luggage van and seats only 10 first class
passengers
photograph by Michael Taylor |
| The First Day of Service.
The first unit in service 460004 about mid-morning of Friday, 22nd September 2000 on it's second revenue earning trip to Gatwick. photograph by Michael Taylor |
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The First Day of Service.
An interior view of DMS N°67914 of unit 460004 at Gatwick Airport station. Looking towards the driving cab. photograph by Michael Taylor |
| 460004 approaching East Croydon on an up service on 6th October 2000. Note
the Crystal Palace (left) and Croydon (right) transmission masts in the
background!
photograph by David Smith |
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The DMS of 460007 at the south end of platform 2 of Gatwick Airport station
on 27th June 2002.
photograph by Colin Duff |
| Two photographs which illustrate the end cars of unit 004 as
it passes through Clapham Junction with an up working on 4th October 2002. This
is the DMLFO 67904.
photograph by Colin Duff |
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And this is DMSO 74434.
photograph by Colin Duff |
| A Vader without its mask! 460003 minus its cosmetic nose cone
is seen here passing through Holmwood during an acceptance test run.
photograph by R M Brume |
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This view of 460001 at East Croydon on 10th August 2004 shows the unit number
on the end now in black, although "EXPRESS" is still in white but not
showing up very well against the yellow of the end.
photograph by John Lewis |
| A bogie under a MS of 460007.
photograph by Colin Duff |
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This page was last updated 29 March 2006
