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BR Eastleigh 4-EPB Class 415 - by Jonny Duffett
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I have a nice colour picture in a book of set no. 5344 approaching London Bridge
in 1972 which looks the proper job. 5344 was built in 1960 and withdrawn in 1985. It carried rail
blue and full yellow end from April '69 to '82. So that's the final identity. It is one of the
1957 phase II stock built between 1960 and 1962 for the South East division and never fitted
with express gear ratios. The coach numbers starting at No. 1 end are MBSO 61598, TS 70457,
TS 70458 and MBSO 61599.
I'm searching for images of the non cab end of MBSO and the ends of the TS for
position of junction boxes and cabling as I think the high box on the 2EPB is in the wrong
place as there are no roof conduits. Any suggestions welcome.
To be 100% accurate I will need to change around the seating in the TS coaches
as they were a mix of saloon and compartment like the DTS in the 2EPB but the compartments were
in the middle of the 4 car set whereas the 2EPB has the compartments next to the MBSO. The
saloons and the majority of the compartments were non smoking except one on No. 1 TS and two
on No.2 TS. The MBSOs were all smokers.
I have read that only No. 1 MBSO had motor generator and emergency batteries
so once I can find photographic confirmation I'll get the saw out and take some detail off the
No. 2 MBSO under-frame. Some builds had variation of position
of air horns inset on the front of the cab for a while (just made me remember need to put
air horns back on!) and some had smaller indicator panels like the South Tyneside 2EPBs.
The first 2 sets had Southern Railway designed trailers.
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My interests are diverse, but one thing that comes very high on the list are Southern Region EMUs,
and my growing fleet has now given me the impetus to have a 4-EPB in the fleet.
These pictures show a fairly straight-forward conversion by chopping off
the cab of a Bachmann 2-EPB (Class 416), and splicing a compartment section in its place.
Making a start... 2-EPB cabs being removed, to make 2 centre coaches for
the 4-EPB.
Welded into place on the left, and finished on the right.
Looking at various photos I have of BR designed 4EPBs they have no conduits on
the roof. There was also only one periscope facing away from the cab end so the front periscope
on the 2EPB roof is also removed.
Southern Railway design 4EPBs had roof conduits. I guess the difference between
roofs for BR 2EPBs and 4EPBs is that BR 2EPBs were built from 1953-56 and BR design 4EPB from
1960-62 and at that later date they were internally wired. The ventilators are MJT.
Whilst on test still in OO gauge at Hereford station (under construction).
At Hornsey Broadway on test after being converted to EM gauge.
