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SR Class CW

LB&SCR Coulsdon North & Sutton stock
In service1925–1929
ManufacturerMetropolitan Carriage, Wagon and Finance Company
Constructed1923–1924
Number built101 vehicles
Formation5-car sets: DTT-DTC-MLV-TC-DTT
OperatorsSouthern Railway
Specifications
Car lengthMLV: 42Β ft 1Β in (12.83Β m)
WeightMLV: 62 long tons (63Β t; 69 short tons)
Power output1,000Β hp (750Β kW)
TransmissionFour GEC traction motors of 250Β hp (186Β kW)
Electric system(s)6.7 kV AC overhead lines
Current collector(s)Bow collector
Track gauge4Β ftΒ 8+1⁄2Β in (1,435Β mm) standard gauge


The Southern Railway (SR) gave the designation CW to the fleet of AC electric multiple units used on the lines to Coulsdon and Wallington. They were planned by the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway, but were delayed by World War I and the grouping and were introduced by the Southern Railway.

Construction


The CW (Coulsdon and Wallington stock) units were built in 1923–1924, as the last electric train stock for use on the LBSCR AC overhead electrified lines in South London. This stock comprised some hundred carriages, which were used in five-car formations: Driving Trailer Third (DTT) + Driving Trailer Composite (DTC) + Motor Luggage Van (MLV) + Trailer Composite (TC) + Driving Trailer Third (DTT).

The stock, built by the Metropolitan Carriage, Wagon and Finance Company at Birmingham, was as follows:

  • 21 Motor Luggage Vans
  • 60 Driving Trailers
  • 20 Trailers

The Motor Luggage Vans (nicknamed "Milk Vans") each had four 250 horsepower (190Β kW) GEC traction motors.

After the replacement of the AC overhead equipment by the 660 V DC third rail system adopted as standard by the SR, the carriages that formed these units were rebuilt accordingly, the Motor Luggage Vans becoming bogie goods train brake vans.



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