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SR Class 2SL

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Southern Railway 2-SL
In service1929–1954
Built atPeckham Rye Works
ReplacedSouth London Line stock
Constructed1929
Entered serviceMay 1929
Number built8
Number scrapped8
FormationDMBT+DTC
Fleet numbers1901–1908, later 1801–1808
Capacity16 first class,
108 third class
OperatorsSouthern Railway,
British Railways
Specifications
Train length127 ft 2 in (38.76 m)
Width9 ft 6 in (2.90 m)
Traction systemMetropolitan-Vickers
Power output550 hp (410.13 kW)
UIC classificationBo′2′+2′2′
Braking system(s)Automatic air
Coupling systemScrew-link
Multiple workingStandard SR system
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)

The Southern Railway (SR) gave the designation 2-SL to the small fleet of electric multiple units dedicated for use on the South London lines. None of these units survived long enough in British Rail ownership to be allocated a TOPS class. In Southern Railway/Region days, they mainly spent their lives as 2-car units on the ex-LBSCR Wimbledon-West Croydon Line (now Croydon Tramway) with head code 2. They were distinctive, because they retained their flat roofs over the driving cabs, where the pantographs were originally situated.

Construction

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The 2-SL (2-car South London stock, numbers 1801–1808) units were rebuilt in 1929 from the Driving Motor cars originally used in ex-LBSCR AC electric SL stock. They were intended for use on the South London lines. Originally, these units had some First Class accommodation in the Driving Trailer car, but this was later declassified to Third Class only. The units were numbered 1901–1908 before 1936, when those numbers were reused for new 2-BIL units. At the same time, 4-SUB unit number 1801 was renumbered 1600.

Formations

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Initial formations of these units were as follows:

Unit Numbers DMBT DTC
1901–1908 / 1801–1808 8723–8730 9751–9758

Withdrawal

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The majority of these units were withdrawn in 1954, the exceptions being 1802 (in 1951) and 1807 (destroyed in 1940 during a World War II air raid). All were subsequently scrapped.

References

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  • Marsden, Colin J. (1983). Southern Electric Multiple-Units 1898–1948. Shepperton, Surrey: Ian Allan Limited. pp. 22–23. ISBN 0-7110-1253-9.