Class 416 2-EPB

The Class 416 2-EPB EMU was built to supplement suburban Southern Electric services in the 1950s. They were the first Southern units, along with the four car Class 415 4-EPBs, to have Electro Pneumatic Brakes (hence the Alpha codes) [1]. There were two methods of manufacture; the 416/1 re-used underframes from withdrawn 2-NOL units [2] and the 416/2 was based on the Mark 1 coach design.
"Tyneside" 5793 when it was at the Electric Railway Museum (now closed)



A version of the Class 416 was also built for the South Tyneside electrified network between Newcastle and South Shields, these differed from Southern units by having greater luggage space with a larger guard's area, express ratio gearing [3] and a modified front end [4] to North Eastern Region's requirements. When the Tyneside electrified network was "de-electrified" in the early 1960s these units were sent to join the other 416s in Southern Region and suitably modified.

Information
Number built: 256 (128 2-car units)
Built: 1953-56
Builder: BR Eastleigh
Engine: 2 English Electric EE507 traction motors (660-750v DC third rail)
Power: 500 hp (370 kW)
Formation: Driving Motor Brake Standard (DMBS)+Driving Trailer Standard (DTS)

"Tyneside Units" had first class accommodation and ran as DMBS+
Driving Trailer Composite (DTC)

The Class 416 continued in service into the 1980s with a number refurbished as 416/3s and 416/4s. Withdrawals began in the mid-1980s beginning with the "Tyneside" units and all were withdrawn by 1995. Some driving trailers were also used to help form the Class 206 "Tadpole" diesel electric multiple units [5].

Five units have been preserved.
6307 when it was also at the Electric Railway Museum

Front view of 5793



[1] Colin J Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition Guide (Ian Allan, 2013) p. 320
[2] Brian Haresnape & Alec Swain, Third Rail DC Electric Multiple Units (Ian Allan, 1989) p. 34
[3] David Brown, Southern Electric Vol 2 (Capital Transport, 2010) p. 196
[4] Haresnape & Swain p. 38
[5] Brian Haresnape, Diesel Multiple Units: The Second Generation & DEMUs (Ian Allan, 1986) p. 36