British Rail Class 438
The British Rail 4-TC multiple units were unpowered fixed formation 4 carriage sets (fitted with driving cabs at each end) converted by BR at York Works from locomotive-hauled Mark 1 carriages in 1966-1967 and 1974. The units built on experience gained from the prototype 6TC unit. They were initially classified as Class 442 and numbered in the 300 and 400 series. This was later changed to Class 491, under which they spent the majority of their working lives. Shortly before withdrawal they were reclassified Class 438 and the units were renumbered to 8001-8034.
| British Rail Class 438 (4-TC) | |
|---|---|
 Class 438 unit at Weymouth Quay | |
| In service | 1966–1988 |
| Manufacturer | BR/BREL York |
| Family name | BR Mark 1 EMU |
| Number built | 34 sets, 1 spare DTSO |
| Formation | 4 car sets - DTSO-TFK-TBSK-DTSO |
| Fleet numbers | 401–434, later 8001–8034 |
| Capacity | 42 First, 160 Standard |
| Operator | British Rail |
| Depot(s) | Bournemouth TMD |
| Specifications | |
| Car length | DTSO: 19.70 m (64 ft 8 in) TFK/TBSK: 19.65 m (64 ft 6 in) |
| Width | 2.82 m (9 ft 3 in) |
| Maximum speed | 90 miles per hour (145 km/h) |
| Weight | DTSO: 32.5 tonnes (32.0 long tons; 35.8 short tons) TFK: 35.4 tonnes (34.8 long tons; 39.0 short tons) TBSK: 33.6 tonnes (33.1 long tons; 37.0 short tons) Total: 134 tonnes (132 long tons; 148 short tons) |
| Train heating | Electric train heating |
| Bogies | B5 |
| Braking system(s) | Air (EP/Auto) |
| Safety system(s) | AWS |
| Gauge | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Track gauge/data' not found. |
British Rail Class 438 Media
Interior of refurbished end of 4TC coach 76327
A BR Class 73 in Intercity livery with part refurbished 4TC in Network SouthEast livery at Clapham Junction showing one window of non-refurbished section.
The flexibility of the 4-TC concept is illustrated here, as 73119 'Kentish Mercury' is providing the power whilst coupled to a 4-TC at each end.
4TC vehicles in use on the Metropolitan line
Unit 417 at Okehampton Station
